Free Lease Addendum Template

Not every lease change needs a brand-new lease. If you are adding one specific rule or disclosure, an addendum is often the simplest option.

Common addendum types include:

• Lease extension addendum. Extend the end date while keeping most terms the same.
• Month-to-month addendum. Switch from a fixed-term lease to a month-to-month arrangement.
• Rent increase addendum. Document a rent change and when it starts.
• Pet addendum. Set pet rules, fees, deposits, and expectations.
• Smoking addendum. Clarify whether smoking is allowed and where.
• Pool or spa addendum. Set use rules, safety expectations, and responsibility for damage.
• Bed bug addendum. Record disclosures, prevention steps, and reporting requirements.
• Improvements and modifications addendum. Approve tenant changes and set repair obligations.
• Mold addendum. Clarify reporting, remediation steps, and prevention duties.
• Crime and drug-free addendum. Set conduct expectations and related consequences.
• Military lease addendum. Add terms that address military-related housing needs.

A lease addendum is a document attached to an existing lease to add new terms. It does not replace the original lease. Instead, it works alongside it, and once signed, it becomes part of the full agreement.

Lease addendums are commonly used when something changes during the tenancy, such as:

• Adding a pet policy.
• Clarifying maintenance responsibilities.
• Setting a new house rule, like smoking restrictions.
• Adding required disclosures.

For a baseline lease, start with a lease agreement, then add an addendum only when you need a specific extra term.

Addendum vs. Amendment

An addendum adds new terms to the lease. An amendment changes or replaces an existing term that is already in the lease.

For example:

• If you want to add a new rule about pets, that is usually an addendum.
• If you are changing the rent amount already written in the lease, that is often an amendment.

Tip: Keep changes narrow. One addendum per topic is easier to track than one document covering several unrelated changes.

Is a Disclosure a Lease Addendum?

Sometimes. A disclosure is often required by law, and it may be delivered as a separate form or attached as part of the lease paperwork.

However, disclosures and addendums are not always the same thing:

• A disclosure is meant to inform the tenant about a condition or policy required by law.
• An addendum adds contract terms both sides agree to follow.

Some disclosures are federally required, like lead-based paint disclosures for homes built before 1978. For more information, see the EPA’s guidance on lead-based paint disclosures for renters.

Many states and cities have their own disclosure rules, too, so it helps to select your state before drafting an addendum.

To make a lease addendum enforceable, it needs to be clear, tied to the original lease, and signed by all parties.

Step 1 – Review the Existing Lease

Check your lease for rules about addendums, including:

• Whether addendums are allowed.
• Any notice or formatting requirements.
• Whether certain topics require a specific process.

This helps you avoid adding terms that conflict with the original agreement.

Step 2 – Discuss the Change With the Tenant

Share the new term with the tenant before you put it in writing. This gives them a chance to ask questions and negotiate.

In most cases, a tenant does not have to sign an addendum. If they do not agree and sign, the addendum may not be enforceable.

Step 3 – Write the Addendum Clearly

A lease addendum should include:

1. Date. When the addendum is created.
2. Parties. Landlord and tenant names and contact information.
3. Original lease reference. The date of the original lease agreement.
4. Property address. The rental property the addendum applies to.
5. New terms. The exact rule, obligation, or disclosure being added.
6. No-other-changes statement. Confirmation that all other lease terms stay the same.

If you need a fast way to cover the essentials, Document Genius’s guided form walks you through each section, so nothing is missed.

Step 4 – Sign, Attach, and Save Copies

Both landlord and tenant should sign and date the addendum. Then:

• Attach it to the original lease.
• Give each party a copy.
• Store it with the rest of the lease documents.

A lease addendum is usually enforceable once signed, which means breaking it can count as a lease violation.

Depending on the issue, consequences may include:

• A written notice to correct the issue.
• Fees or other remedies allowed under the lease.
• Lease termination or eviction in serious cases, if state law allows.

If the landlord fails to follow an addendum they signed, the tenant may also have options, such as ending the lease or seeking other legal remedies, depending on local rules.

If you need to end a lease instead of adding terms, a lease termination letter may be a better fit.