Create a state-specific rental lease agreement with legally vetted clauses and required disclosures. Customize the terms, then download as a PDF or Word document for easy printing and sharing.
Provide the property address, lease term, rent amount, deposits, and rules.
Review and adjust the lease language to fit your rental and local requirements.
Download your lease as a PDF or Word document and sign online or on paper.
Our lease agreement template includes all of the key terms landlords and tenants expect in a clear, enforceable rental contract:
To complete your lease agreement quickly, it helps to have a few details ready:
Document Genius’s guided form walks you through each section, so you’ll never miss a required detail.
Depending on your rental, you can include addenda such as:
Lease laws vary by state, especially when it comes to security deposits, required disclosures, and notice rules. Document Genius provides state-specific lease agreement templates and guidance to help you understand key requirements before you sign.
Security deposit rules vary by state and may affect how much a landlord can charge, how deposits must be handled, and how quickly they must be returned after move-out.
Because these rules differ by location, review your state’s lease requirements before finalizing your agreement.
Some disclosures apply nationwide, while others depend on state or local law. For example, certain properties may require lead-based paint disclosures or other notices specific to the property or location.
Select your state above to learn about common disclosures landlords should be aware of when preparing a lease.
Need a lease agreement in Spanish? Use our contrato de arrendamiento.
A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. It sets the expectations for renting a property, from how much rent is due and when, to who’s responsible for repairs.
Lease agreements are commonly used to rent a house, apartment, condo, mobile home, room, or land. It protects both parties by clearly defining expectations and preventing disputes.
In the US, there isn’t a legal distinction between a lease agreement and a rental agreement. Both are contracts between a landlord and a tenant that cover the terms of renting a property, outlining rent, duration, and responsibility terms.
The terms are often used differently in practice: a lease agreement typically refers to a longer, fixed-term agreement, while a rental agreement is often used for shorter, month-to-month tenancies.
A residential lease agreement may also be referred to as a rental contract or tenancy agreement.
Regardless of the name, they serve the same purpose of outlining each party’s rights and obligations while a tenant occupies a property.
For commercial property, use our commercial lease agreement template.
Lease agreements come in different forms depending on the property, rental term, and situation. Select the lease type that best matches your needs, or start with a standard lease and customize it.
Need to make changes to an existing lease or bring it to an end? These forms cover the most common situations that come up after signing.
If your rental includes an option for the tenant to buy the property later, a standard lease agreement may not be enough. In those cases, a rent-to-own agreement is typically used because it includes both rental terms and purchase-related provisions.
Document Genius offers a separate rent-to-own agreement template designed for these situations.
To write a lease agreement, you can easily use our document editor to help guide you step by step through the process. Once complete, you’ll have a lease agreement that’s ready to download and sign. Below are steps for writing a lease agreement to help you understand the required information.
List the full legal names of the landlord and every tenant. Then include the best mailing address, email, and phone number for notices.
If more than one tenant will live in the property, make sure everyone is named on the lease and signs it.
In a lease agreement, the terms lessor and lessee are simply legal names for the parties involved.
Most residential lease agreements use the everyday terms landlord and tenant instead of lessor and lessee to keep the document clear and easy to understand.
Include the full address of the property being rented, along with a description that includes information such as the unit number, floor, parking space, storage area, or shared areas.
Also mention whether the property is furnished, and if so, what’s included (for example, appliances, furniture, or exterior space).
Choose whether the lease is:
In this section, you should also cover the required notice period to end the contract, ensuring compliance with state laws.
Be specific so there’s no confusion later. Include:
If the tenant is paying first month’s rent, last month’s rent, or other move-in charges, list those amounts separately.
State the security deposit amount, how it will be stored, and what it can be used for. Include the date and method of return after the tenant moves out.
Security deposit rules vary by state, with each state regulating the amount landlords can charge and the deadlines for returning deposits.
List which utilities the tenant pays and which the landlord covers (electric, gas, water, trash, internet, and so on).
You should also use this section to clarify maintenance responsibilities, such as lawn care or snow removal, minor repairs versus major repairs, and how tenants should report repair requests.
Clearly state policies for:
If you have additional rules, add them as an addendum so they’re easy to reference.
Here you should cover when the landlord can enter the property, how notice will be given and what counts as an emergency.
If you use a move-in inspection checklist, mention it here and have both parties keep a copy. This can help reduce deposit disputes later.
Many states require specific disclosures to be given to tenants. For example, homes built before 1978 may require a lead-based paint disclosure.
Leave space for the landlord and every tenant to sign and date the lease. After signing, each party should get a copy for their records.
With Document Genius, you can download the lease as a PDF or Word document and request e-signatures online.
A lease agreement does not typically need to be notarized. Most leases are valid with just signatures. Some states might require notarization for leases over a year, or you might choose to notarize for extra peace of mind. If you’re not sure, check your state’s rules.
Officially notify the other party of the intention to end a lease agreement.
Notify tenants of rent changes, and communicate adjustments clearly and professionally.
Communicate payment expectations and set a deadline for tenants to pay or vacate the property.
Outline the terms and reasons for eviction, whether due to non-payment, lease violations, or other grounds.
Set clear terms for renting with the option to buy, securing long-term tenants and offering a clear path to homeownership.
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