Residential Lease Agreement (Standard)

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Parties and Property
II. Lease Term
III. Rent and Payments
IV. Security Deposit
V. Utilities and Services
VI. Use and Occupancy
VII. Maintenance and Repairs
VIII. Rules and Regulations
IX. Default and Termination
X. General Provisions
XI. Required Disclosures
XII. Signatures

I. PARTIES AND PROPERTY

LANDLORD INFORMATION

TENANT INFORMATION

RENTAL PROPERTY

II. LEASE TERM

A. Term Type

☐ Fixed Term Lease

• Commencement Date: [DATE]
• Expiration Date: [DATE]
• Term Length: [NUMBER] months

☐ Month-to-Month Tenancy

• Commencement Date: [DATE]
• Termination Notice Required: [30/60] days

B. Renewal Terms

☐ Automatic renewal to month-to-month unless [30/60] days written notice given
☐ Lease terminates; new agreement required
☐ Automatic renewal for another fixed term of [MONTHS] months
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

C. Early Termination

Early termination by Tenant requires:

• [30/60/90] days written notice
• Payment of early termination fee: $[AMOUNT] (if applicable)
• Forfeiture of security deposit: ☐ Yes ☐ No
• Tenant responsible for rent until unit is re-rented or lease expires, whichever is earlier

III. RENT AND PAYMENTS

A. Monthly Rent

B. Payment Terms

C. Payment Methods

☐ Personal Check
☐ Certified Check/Money Order
☐ ACH/Electronic Transfer
☐ Online Payment Portal: [URL]
☐ Cash (receipt required)
☐ Other: [METHOD]

Make payments payable to: [PAYEE NAME]

Mail or deliver to:
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

D. Prorated Rent

If move-in is not on the first of the month:

• Prorated rent for [MONTH/YEAR]: $[AMOUNT]
• Proration period: [START DATE] to [END DATE]

IV. SECURITY DEPOSIT

A. Security Deposit Amount

B. Deposit Use and Return

The security deposit may be used for:
☐ Unpaid rent
☐ Damage beyond normal wear and tear
☐ Cleaning costs to return unit to move-in condition
☐ Unpaid utilities (if Landlord pays and Tenant reimburses)
☐ Other lease violations with monetary consequences

Deposit Return Timeline:
Within [NUMBER] days after Tenant vacates and returns keys, Landlord shall return the security deposit minus any lawful deductions, with an itemized statement of deductions.

C. Deposit Location (if required by state)

V. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

A. Utility Responsibility

B. Utility Account Requirements

For Tenant-paid utilities, Tenant shall:

• Transfer accounts to Tenant's name by: [DATE]
• Maintain service throughout the tenancy
• Provide proof of account transfer if requested

VI. USE AND OCCUPANCY

A. Permitted Occupants

The following individuals are authorized to reside in the premises:

Maximum Occupancy: [NUMBER] persons (per local occupancy codes)

B. Permitted Use

The premises shall be used exclusively for residential purposes. The following are prohibited:
☐ Home business operations (except as permitted by law)
☐ Illegal activities
☐ Activities creating nuisance to neighbors
☐ Storage of hazardous materials
☐ Alterations without written consent

C. Guests

• Guests may stay for up to [NUMBER] consecutive days without prior approval
• Extended stays exceeding [NUMBER] days require written Landlord approval
• Unauthorized long-term occupants constitute a lease violation

D. Pets

☐ No Pets Allowed (except service animals/emotional support animals as required by law)

☐ Pets Allowed with the following restrictions:

VII. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

A. Landlord Responsibilities

Landlord shall maintain the premises in compliance with all applicable housing, building, and health codes, including:

• Structural components (roof, walls, foundation)
• Plumbing systems
• Electrical systems
• Heating and air conditioning systems
• Appliances provided with the unit
• Common areas
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Compliance with habitability standards

B. Tenant Responsibilities

Tenant shall:

• Keep the premises clean and sanitary
• Properly dispose of garbage
• Use appliances and fixtures properly
• Not damage the premises beyond normal wear and tear
• Promptly report needed repairs to Landlord
• Allow access for repairs with proper notice
• Replace HVAC filters [monthly/quarterly]
• Maintain smoke detector batteries

C. Repair Requests

Tenant shall report repair needs to Landlord:

• Phone: [PHONE]
• Email: [EMAIL]
• Online Portal: [URL]
• Emergency (after hours): [PHONE]

Response Times:

• Emergency repairs: [24] hours
• Urgent repairs (no hot water, heat, etc.): [48-72] hours
• Non-emergency repairs: [7-14] days

D. Landlord Access

Landlord may enter the premises for:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Inspections
• Showing to prospective tenants/buyers
• Emergencies

Notice Required: [24/48] hours written notice (except emergencies)

VIII. RULES AND REGULATIONS

A. General Rules

☐ No smoking anywhere on the premises (inside or outside)
☐ Smoking permitted only in designated areas: [LOCATION]
☐ Quiet hours: [TIME] p.m. to [TIME] a.m.
☐ Parking limited to designated spaces only
☐ No vehicle repairs in parking areas
☐ No storage on balconies/patios except approved furniture
☐ Grills/fire pits prohibited within [FEET] feet of structure
☐ All exterior doors must remain locked

B. Additional Rules

[LIST ANY ADDITIONAL PROPERTY-SPECIFIC RULES]

C. Community Rules

☐ Tenant acknowledges receipt of HOA/Condo Association rules
☐ Tenant agrees to abide by all community rules and regulations
☐ Tenant is responsible for any fines resulting from rule violations

IX. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION

A. Tenant Default

The following constitute defaults under this Lease:

1. Failure to pay rent within the applicable notice period
2. Violation of any lease term after notice and opportunity to cure
3. Illegal activity on the premises
4. Unauthorized occupants or pets
5. Damage to the premises
6. Disturbance of other tenants' quiet enjoyment

B. Notice Requirements

Non-Payment of Rent: [NUMBER] days written notice
Lease Violation (Curable): [NUMBER] days to cure after written notice
Unconditional Quit: [NUMBER] days (if permitted by state law)
Month-to-Month Termination: [NUMBER] days written notice

C. Landlord Remedies

Upon Tenant default, Landlord may:

• Pursue eviction through legal process
• Recover unpaid rent and damages
• Recover reasonable attorney's fees (if permitted by law)
• Apply security deposit to amounts owed

Landlord shall NOT:

• Engage in self-help eviction
• Change locks without legal process
• Shut off utilities
• Remove Tenant's belongings without court order

D. Tenant Termination Rights

Tenant may terminate this lease:

• At end of lease term with proper notice
• For material breach by Landlord after notice and opportunity to cure
• For habitability violations per state law
• Due to domestic violence (where protected by state law)
• Military deployment (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act)

X. GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. Entire Agreement

This Lease, together with all addenda and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. No oral agreements shall be binding.

B. Amendments

This Lease may only be amended by written agreement signed by both parties.

C. Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.

D. Governing Law

This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the State of [STATE].

E. Notices

All notices shall be in writing and delivered:

• In person
• By certified mail, return receipt requested
• By posting on premises (where permitted by law)

F. Joint and Several Liability

If there are multiple Tenants, each Tenant is jointly and severally liable for all lease obligations.

G. Subordination

This Lease is subordinate to any existing or future mortgage on the property.

H. Attorney's Fees

In any legal action arising from this Lease, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees (where permitted by law).

XI. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES

A. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (Required for housing built before 1978)

☐ Property was built before 1978 - Lead Paint Disclosure attached
☐ Property was built in 1978 or later - Disclosure not required

B. State-Specific Disclosures

☐ Mold disclosure
☐ Bed bug disclosure
☐ Flooding/flood zone disclosure
☐ Sex offender registry notification
☐ Methamphetamine contamination
☐ Radon disclosure
☐ Asbestos disclosure
☐ Move-in inspection checklist
☐ Landlord/agent identification
☐ Smoke/CO detector compliance
☐ Rent control/stabilization notice (if applicable)
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

C. Fair Housing Statement

This property is offered in compliance with the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Additional state and local protections may apply.

XII. SIGNATURES

By signing below, the parties agree to all terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement.

LANDLORD

TENANT(S)

ATTACHMENTS AND ADDENDA

☐ Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist
☐ Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
☐ Pet Addendum
☐ Rules and Regulations
☐ HOA/Condo Association Rules
☐ Mold Disclosure
☐ Bed Bug Disclosure
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

This Residential Lease Agreement is intended for use in conjunction with state-specific addenda and disclosures. Laws governing residential leases vary significantly by state and locality. This template does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before use.