- Commercial Lease Agreement
- Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
- Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
- Roommate Lease Agreement
- Standard Lease Agreement
- Sublease Agreement
- Step 1 – Tenant Views the Property
- Step 2 – Landlord Screens the Tenant
- Step 3 – Negotiate the Lease
- Step 4 – Writing the Agreement
- Step 5 – Signing
- Statutes & Handbooks
- Security Deposit Laws
- When is Rent Due?
By State
By Type (6)
- Commercial Lease Agreement
- Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
- Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
- Roommate Lease Agreement
- Standard Lease Agreement
- Sublease Agreement
Commercial Lease Agreement – For any non-residential purpose.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement – A lease with no end date and typically continues until the landlord or tenant terminates with thirty (30) days’ notice.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement – A lease with an option to purchase the property according to the terms of the agreement.
Roommate Lease Agreement – When only bedrooms are rented while sharing common areas such as living rooms, kitchen, and any other areas.
Standard Lease Agreement – Most popular type of lease with a start and end date and usually for a term of one (1) year.
Sublease Agreement – When a tenant decides to re-rent the property to a sub-tenant. Permission is required from the landlord through a consent form.
What is a Lease?
A lease is a mutual agreement made between a landlord and tenant to use a property in exchange for the payment of rent. The landlord will give standard rights to use the property for residential or commercial use. The tenant will be required to maintain the property until the end of the lease term.
How Does a Lease Work? (5 Steps)
A simple step-by-step guide on how to properly verify a tenant and sign a legally binding lease agreement.
These generic instructions are applicable in all fifty (50) States.
Step 1 – Tenant Views the Property
The first step is the tenant views and sees if they like the property. If so, they will be asked to give their details to the agent or landlord through a rental application.
Rental Application – Contains the personal and employment details of the tenant. It also gives consent to the landlord to run a credit check and other consumer reports on the tenant. A non-refundable fee is usually required by the landlord.
Step 2 – Landlord Screens the Tenant
After obtaining the tenant’s details, it’s time to screen the tenant. View the top 11 tenant screening services and view the tenant’s report.
A landlord should seek tenants with a credit score of 670 or higher*. For context, the average credit score in the USA is 711*.
Step 3 – Negotiate the Lease
Unless the rent was agreed to prior, it’s time to negotiate the terms of the lease. The landlord will usually not commit to any terms until the tenant’s credit is verified. If the tenant’s credit is poor, the landlord may require an extra security deposit or prepaid rent.
Step 4 – Writing the Agreement
The landlord will write the lease and give the tenant a finished copy along with any attachments. Depending on the State, the landlord may be required to add disclosures.
Common Disclosures
- Lead-Based Paint – A disclosure that will be provided by the landlord if the property was built prior to 1978. Any property constructed before January 1, 1978, may contain lead paint within the walls. Learn more about lead paint by reading the Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home brochure.
- Move-in Checklist – A requirement by the State or the landlord that requires a thorough inspection of the premises prior to move-in. This is intended to protect the tenant’s security deposit at the end of the lease from any unfounded maintenance claims by the landlord.
Step 5 – Signing
Both the landlord and tenant must sign for the lease to be legally binding. No witnesses or notary is required. When ready, the landlord can e-mail the tenant using an e-signature service.
e-Signature Services
- eSign.com (free)
- DocuSign.com (fee required after 5 signatures)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Statutes & Handbooks
- Security Deposit Laws
- When is Rent Due?
| State | Laws | Handbook |
| Alabama | Title 35, Chapter 9 (Landlord and Tenant), Title 35, Chapter 9A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook |
| Alaska | AS 34.03 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act: what it means to you |
| Arizona | Title 33, Chapter 10 (Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Arizona Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook |
| Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Subtitle 2, Chapter 17 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Landlord and Tenant Rights |
| California | Cal. Civ. Code Division 3, Part 4, Title 5, Chapter 2 (Hiring of Real Property) | California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities |
| Colorado | Title 38, Article 12 (Tenants and Landlords) | Handbooks are County Specific. |
| Connecticut | Title 47a (Landlord and Tenant) | A Guide to Housing Matters |
| Delaware | Title 25, Part III (Residential Landlord Tenant Code) | A Summary of the Delaware Residential Landlord Tenant Code (Delaware Department of Justice) |
| Florida | Title 86, Chapter 83, Part II (Residential Tenancies) | Florida’s Landlord/Tenant Law |
| Georgia | Title 44, Chapter 7 (Landlord and Tenant) | Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook |
| Hawaii | Chapter 521 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Code) | Landlord-Tenant Handbook |
| Idaho | Title 6, Chapter 3 (Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer); Title 55, Chapter 3 (Rights and Obligations of Owners) | Landlord and Tenant Guidelines |
| Illinois | Chapter 765, Section 705 (Landlord and Tenant Act) | Rights & Duties of Landlords and Tenants |
| Indiana | Title 32, Article 31 (Landlord-Tenant Relations) | Indiana Renter’s Rights |
| Iowa | Title XIV, Chapter 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Law) | A Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law in Iowa |
| Kansas | Chapter 58, Article 25 (Landlords and Tenants) | Tenant Handbook (Kansas State) |
| Kentucky | Chapter 383 (Landlord and Tenant) | Kentucky Landlord-Tenant Law FAQs |
| Louisiana | Civil Code §§ 2668 – 2729 (leases generally); Code of Civil Procedure §§ 4701 – § 4735 (evictions); Revised Statutes §§ 9:3201 – 9:3261.1 (ancillary provisions) | A Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law (State Attorney General) |
| Maine | Title 40, Chapter 709, Subchapter 1 (Residential Landlords and Tenants) | The Rights of Tenants in Maine |
| Maryland | Real Property, Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant) | Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes |
| Massachusetts | General Laws, Chapter 186 (Landlord-Tenant Law) | Guide to Landlord-Tenant Rights (Office of Attorney General) |
| Michigan | Chapter 554 §§ 601-616 (Landlord and Tenant Relationships), Chapter 554 §§ 631-641 (Truth in Renting Act) | A Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords |
| Minnesota | Property and Property Interests, Chapter 504B (Landlord and Tenant) | Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities |
| Mississippi | Title 89, Chapter 8 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Moving In: A Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law |
| Missouri | Title XXIX, Chapter 441 (Landlord and Tenant), Title XXXVI, Chapter 535 (Landlord-Tenant Actions) | The Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants (Missouri Attorney General’s Office) |
| Montana | Title 70, Chapter 24 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act of 1977), Chapter 25 (Residential Tenants’ Security Deposits) | Tenants and Landlords (Montana Department of Justice) |
| Nebraska | Chapter 76, Article 14 (Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act) | Landlord and Tenant Handbook |
| Nevada | Chapter 118 (Landlord and Tenant: Dwellings) | Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Nevada Courts) |
| New Hampshire | Title 540 (Actions Against Tenants), Title 540-A (Prohibited Practices and Security Deposits) | Renting, Security Deposits, and Evictions (New Hampshire Department of Justice) |
| New Jersey | Title 46, Chapter 8 (Truth-in-Renting Act); Title 2A, Chapter 42, Sections 1 – 96 | Truth in Renting (Department of Community Affairs) |
| New Mexico | Chapter 47, Article 8, (Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act) | New Mexico Renter’s Guide |
| New York | General Obligations, Article 7 (Obligations Related to Property Received as Security), Real Property, Article 7 (Landlord and Tenant); Real Property Actions and Proceedings, Article 7 (Summary Proceeding to Recover Possession of Real Property) | Residential Tenant’s Rights (New York State Attorney General) |
| North Carolina | Chapter 42 (Landlord and Tenant) | Landlord-Tenant Law |
| North Dakota | Title 47, Chapter 16 (Leasing of Real Property) | Tenant Rights (North Dakota Attorney General) |
| Ohio | Chapter 5321 (Landlords and Tenants) | Landlord-Tenant Handbook |
| Oklahoma | Title 41 (Landlord and Tenant) | Landlord and Tenant: Rights and Duties |
| Oregon | Volume 3, Chapter 90 (Residential Landlord and Tenant) | Landlord-Tenant Law in Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | Title 68, Chapter 8 (Landlord and Tenant) | Know Your Rights as a Renter in Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | Title 34, Chapter 18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | The Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook |
| South Carolina | Title 27, Chapter 40 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Rights & Duties of Landlords & Tenants |
| South Dakota | Title 43, Chapter 32 (Leases of Real Property) | Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities |
| Tennessee | Title 66, Chapter 28 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Healthy Homes – Renters (Tennessee Department of Health) |
| Texas | Property Code, Chapter 91 (Provisions Generally Applicable to Landlords and Tenants), Chapter 92 (Residential Tenancies) | Tenant’s Rights Handbook |
| Utah | Title 57, Chapters 17 (Residential Renters’ Deposits) and 22 (Fit Premises Act) | Renting in Utah |
| Vermont | Title 9, Chapter 137 (Residential Rental Agreements) | Renting in Vermont |
| Virginia | Title 55.1, Chapter 12 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Department of Housing and Community Development) |
| Washington | Chapter 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) | Landlord-Tenant Rights (Washington State Bar Association) |
| Washington D.C. | ||
| West Virginia | Chapter 37, Article 6 (Landlord and Tenant), Chapter 37, Article 6A (Residential Rental Security Deposits) | Renter’s Rights (West Virginia Office of the Attorney General) |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 704 (Landlord and Tenant), Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter ATCP 134 (Residential Rental Practices) | Landlord and Tenant Guide |
| Wyoming | Title 1, Chapter 21, Article 12 (Residential Rental Property) | Landlord-Tenant Information (University of Wyoming) |
Security Deposit Laws
| State | Maximum Amount | Returning to Tenant (after lease ends) | Statutes |
| Alabama | 1 month’s rent | 60 days | Section 35-9A-201(a), Section 35-9A-201(b) |
| Alaska | 2 months’ rent | 14 days | § 34.03.070(a), § 34.03.070(g) |
| Arizona | 1.5 months’ rent | 14 days | §33-1321(B), §33-1321(D) |
| Arkansas | 2 months’ rent | 60 days | §18-16-304, §18-16-305 |
| California | 3 months’ rent | 21 days | §1950.5(c), §1950.5(g) |
| Colorado | None | 30 days | C.R.S. 38-12-103 |
| Connecticut | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | §47a-21(b), §47a-21(d) |
| Delaware | 1 month’s rent | 20 days | Tit. 25 § 5514(a), Tit. 25 § 5514(e) |
| Florida | None | 15 days | §83-49(3)(a) |
| Georgia | None | 30 days | § 44-7-34 |
| Hawaii | 1 month’s rent | 14 days | §521-44(b), §521-44(c) |
| Idaho | None | 30 days | § 6-321 |
| Illinois | None | 30 days | 765 ILCS 710 |
| Indiana | None | 45 days | § 32-31-3-12 |
| Iowa | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | § 562A.12.1, § 562A.12.3.a |
| Kansas | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | § 58-2550(a), § 58-2550(b) |
| Kentucky | None | 60 days | § 383.580 |
| Louisiana | None | 30 days | R.S. § 9:3251 |
| Maine | 2 months’ rent | 21 days | § 6032, § 6033 |
| Maryland | 2 months’ rent | 45 days | § 8–203 |
| Massachusetts | 1 month’s rent | 30 days | ch. 186, § 15(B)(iii), ch. 186, §15B(4) |
| Michigan | 1.5 months’ rent | 45 days | §554.602, §554.613(1) |
| Minnesota | None | 21 days | § 504B.178 |
| Mississippi | None | 45 days | § 89-8-21 |
| Missouri | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | § 535.300.1, § 535.300.3 |
| Montana | None | 30 days | § 70-25-202 |
| Nebraska | 1.25 months’ rent | 14 days | § 76-1416(1), § 76-1416(2) |
| Nevada | 3 months’ rent | 30 days | §118A.242.1, §118A.242.4 |
| New Hampshire | 1 month’s rent | 30 days | §540-A:6, §540-A:7 |
| New Jersey | 1.5 months’ rent | 30 days | §46:8-21.2, §46:8-21.1 |
| New Mexico | 1 month’s rent | 30 days | §47-8-18-A(1), §47-8-18-C |
| New York | 1 month’s rent | 14 days | Real Prop. § 7-108-1(a), Real Prop. § 7-108(e) |
| North Carolina | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | §42-51, §42-52 |
| North Dakota | 1 month’s rent | 30 days | §47-16-07.1 |
| Ohio | None | 30 days | §5321.16 |
| Oklahoma | None | 45 days | § 41-115 |
| Oregon | None | 31 days | § 90.300 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 months’ rent | 30 days | §250.511a, § 250.512 |
| Rhode Island | 1 month’s rent | 20 days | § 34-18-19(a), § 34-18-19(b) |
| South Carolina | None | 30 days | § 27-40-410 |
| South Dakota | 1 month’s rent | 14 days | § 43-32-6.1, §43-32-24 |
| Tennessee | None | 60 days | § 66-29-301 |
| Texas | None | 30 days | § 92.103 |
| Utah | None | 30 days | §57-17-3 |
| Vermont | None | 14 days | § 4461, § 4461(c) |
| Virginia | 2 months’ rent | 45 days | § 55.1-1204, § 55.1-1226 |
| Washington | None | 21 days | §59.18.270 |
| Washington D.C. | 1 month’s rent | 45 days | § 14-308.2, § 14-309.1 |
| West Virginia | None | None | §37-6A-2 |
| Wisconsin | None | 21 days | § 704.28 |
| Wyoming | None | 30 days | § 1-21-1208 |
When is Rent Due?
| State | Grace Period | Maximum Fees | NSF Fees |
| Alabama | The day mentioned in the lease agreement (§ 35-9A-161) | No maximum. | $30 (§ 12-17-224) |
| Alaska | The day mentioned in the lease agreement (AS 34.03.020(c)) | No maximum. | $30 (§ 09.68.115(a)(2)) |
| Arizona | The day mentioned in the lease agreement (§ 33-1368(B)). | Must be “reasonable” and mentioned in the lease agreement (§ 33-1368(B)). | $25 (§ 44-6852) |
| Arkansas | The day mentioned in the lease agreement, with a five (5) day grace period (§ 18-17-401(b)(1), § 18-17-701(b)). | No maximum. | $30 (AR Code § 5-37-304(a)(2)(A)(ii)) |
| California | The day mentioned in the lease agreement (CIV Code 1947). | Must be a “good faith estimate of the damages likely to be suffered by the landlord in the case of late payment,” and the amount must be written in the lease agreement (Orozco v. Casimiro, 121 Cal. App.4th Supp. 7 (2004), CIV Code 1962). | $25 (CA Penal Code § 476a(h)) |
| Colorado | Not defined (no statute). | No maximum. | $20 (CO Rev. Stat. § 13-21-109) |
| Connecticut | The day mentioned in the lease agreement, with a nine (9) day grace period (§ 47a-3a(a), § 47a-15a). | No maximum. | $20 (CT Gen Stat § 52-565a(i)) |
| Delaware | The day mentioned in the lease agreement, with a five (5) day grace period (Title 25, § 5501(b), Title 25, § 5501(d)). | No more than five percent (5%) of the monthly rent (Title 25, § 5501(d)). | Unspecified (11 DE Code § 900) |
| Florida | The day mentioned in the lease agreement (§ 83.46(1)). | No maximum. | $25 if amount due is $50 or less; |
$30 if amount due is between $50 and $300;
$50 for amounts between $100 and $250; and
