What to put in a Rental and Lease Agreement

Wondering what to include in a lease? Tempted to skip the long lease and just trust your tenant? Read this before you give up rights as a landlord.

Core terms

Identify the property, parties, rent amount, due date, late fees (where allowed), and security deposit handling in compliance with your state. Ambiguity is where disputes start.

Maintenance and access

Spell out who handles lawn, pests, HVAC filters, and emergencies. Define reasonable notice for entry for repairs and inspections.

Rules and use

Pet policies, guest limits, smoking, and prohibited uses should be explicit. If you allow short-term subletting—or not—say so.

End of term

Renewal notice windows, rent increases (where permitted), move-out condition expectations, and deposit return timelines reduce fights at turnover.

When to get help

Local landlord-tenant law varies dramatically. For portfolios or out-of-state deals, have counsel review your template once—you will reuse it for years.

John Pastre · 2025-10-08 · 7 min read