Residential Lease / Rental Agreement template and PDF guide...
Prepare rental and lease terms online, then generate a formal PDF for tenant-landlord execution. Use this when renting a house, apartment, condo, or other dwelling to a tenant...
When to use this template
Prepare rental and lease terms online, then generate a formal PDF for tenant-landlord execution. Use this when renting a house, apartment, condo, or other dwelling to a tenant for residential use, and you need to comply with federal and state housing regulations.
What to include
- Lead-based paint disclosure (federally required for homes built before 1978), plus any state-required disclosures such as mold history, sex offender registry notice, or flood zone status.
- Security deposit amount and state-specific limits (many states cap deposits at one to two months' rent), along with the deadline and method for returning the deposit after move-out.
- Habitability standards: landlord's duty to maintain working plumbing, heating, electrical systems, smoke detectors, and structural integrity in compliance with local building codes.
- Utility responsibilities (which utilities the landlord pays versus the tenant), parking assignments, storage areas, and rules on guests, smoking, and pets (including pet deposits).
- Rent amount, due date, grace period, late fee (within state-allowed limits), and the process for rent increases — including required notice periods under state law.
Common questions
- Can I customize this Residential Lease / Rental Agreement online for each tenant or property?
- Yes. Edit rent terms, responsibilities, dates, and property details in-browser before finalizing.
- Can I save this Residential Lease / Rental Agreement and reuse it for future units?
- Yes. With an account, save and duplicate it to keep leasing paperwork consistent across your portfolio.
- Can I generate a sign-ready PDF from this Residential Lease / Rental Agreement?
- Yes. Export a professional PDF suitable for e-sign, print signing, and legal recordkeeping.
- What disclosures am I legally required to provide?
- At minimum, federal law requires a lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes. Beyond that, requirements vary by state — common ones include mold, asbestos, bed bug history, and registered sex offenders nearby.
- Can I set any security deposit amount I want?
- No. Many states cap the security deposit. For example, California limits it to one month's rent for unfurnished units. Check your state law before setting the amount.
- Am I required to allow pets?
- You can prohibit pets in most cases, but you must allow service animals and emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act and ADA — and you cannot charge a pet deposit for them.
- What happens if the property becomes uninhabitable?
- Tenants may have the right to withhold rent, make repairs and deduct the cost, or terminate the lease entirely if you fail to maintain habitable conditions within a reasonable time.