How to Write (Fill-in) a Residential Lease Agreement

Residential Lease Agreement: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx), or Open Document Text (.odt):

Contents
Step 1 - Acquire Your Copy Of The Residential Lease Agreement ............................................................ 1
Step 2 - Attach The Effective Date Of This Document To the Participating Parties ................................. 1
Step 3 - Define How This Agreement Will Apply To The Occupants And The Property ........................... 3
Step 4 - Discuss The Monetary Obligations Of Each Party ........................................................................ 6
Step 5 - Supplement Details To Solidify Additional Terms And Conditions ............................................ 10
Step 6 - Execute the Agreement ............................................................................................................. 17
Step 7 - Summarize The Tenant Payment Required Upon Signing ......................................................... 19
Step 8 - All Signature Parties Must Comply With The Current Lead Disclosure Laws ............................ 20

Step 1 - Acquire Your Copy Of The Residential Lease Agreement

This page provides two areas where you can download the file version you prefer. Thus, you
may either access the "Adobe PDF," "Microsoft Word (.docx)," and "Open Document Text
(.odt)" versions available through the text links above or through the "PDF," "Word," and "ODT"
buttons captioning the preview image

Step 2 - Attach The Effective Date Of This Document To the

Participating Parties

This paperwork shall present the material defining this agreement in several sections or articles.
While much of the language or wording that makes up this document has been set to standard,
some of these articles will only be complete if you input information directly to areas that are
empty or blank. The first of these articles, labeled with the bold wording "I. The Parties," will
contain several such areas. Read through the first sentence and type in the month and calendar
day (two-digit) of this agreement's effective date in the first empty area then on the empty line,
fill in the two-digit year for this document's date of effect.

Page 1 of 22
Notice this sentence continues to two more labeled areas; "Landlord" and "Tenant(s)." The
segments of this statement will serve to attach both participating Parties to this paperwork as of
the effective date you defined above. The first of these areas, "Landlord," makes a clear request
for this party’s identity and mailing address. Provide the Landlord's full name on the first line
following his or her label. Use the remainder of the blank lines to furnish the Landlord's
"...Mailing Address" by producing the Landlord's current street address, city, and the state as the
material on display to the next three blank lines.

The second Party or Parties this statement seeks for display is the full name of each person who
will be held responsible for paying the rent and will uphold the conditions placed below to retain
possession of the rented property for this document's duration. Use the blank line after the label
"Tenant(s)" to list the name of every person entering this agreement with the Landlord above.

Page 2 of 22
Step 3 - Define How This Agreement Will Apply To The Occupants
And The Property

The second article here will also need your participation. Here, you must choose between one of
two statements to indicate what type of lease this is. Seek out the next item "II. Lease Type" then
read through both statements. If this document represents a "Fixed Lease" then, choose the first
statement by marking the checkbox to the left of this label. You will need to supply the first
calendar date (after the words "...Starting On") and the last calendar date (following the words
"...End On") of this agreement's lifespan. You must also mark the box labeled "May Continue..."
or "Must Vacate..." to indicate whether the Tenant may continue this agreement or vacate once
the ending date has been reached.

If this agreement will only exist as a "Month-To-Month Lease" then select the second choice in
"II. Lease Type." This choice allows the lease to terminate upon notice. You will have to supply
the first calendar date when this contract applies across the first two blank spaces then record
how many days warning or notice the Terminating Party must give before the date he or she will
no longer be obligated to this lease on the blank line after "...Notice Of."

There will need to be some documentation as to exactly who will be residing on the premises
with the Tenant(s) signing this lease. For instance, there may be a child, a relative, or a
roommate that will live with the Tenant(s). Locate "III. Occupants," then mark the first checkbox

Page 3 of 22
and record the name of every person (regardless of age or relation) who will live on the premises
for a significant portion of this document's lifespan with the Tenant on the blank space that
follows. If this is not the case and only the Signature Tenant(s) will live on the premises, then
mark the box labeled "There Are No Occupants." Review the example below where there will be
one occupant living with the Tenant.

You must solidify the precise location of the property in the fourth item, "IV. The Property."
First, locate the item designated as "A.)" then place the building number, the street number or
street name, and any applicable apartment number on the first blank space. This must be where
the premises can be visited in-person. The second line in this item requires the city name where
the premises is located and the third needs the corresponding state reported on it. Furnish this
material then check for accuracy.

The next item, "B.) Residence Type" attempts a definition. Mark the checkbox attached to the
word "Apartment," "House," or "Condo" to define the type of premises being rented. If none of
these are accurate descriptions, then mark the label "Other" and produce a description of this
category on the blank space that follows.

Report the number of "Bedroom(s)" and "Bathroom(s)" on the premises and available to the
tenant in items "C" and "D" respectively.

Page 4 of 22
Some Tenants may expect to use the premises they rent as a place other than a residence. For
instance, they may run an at-home business. This agreement requires we define whether this will
be allowed or not. Thus, mark the first checkbox in "V. Purpose" if the Landlord only intends
that these premises must be treated only as a home residence.

Employ the second statement if the Landlord will allow the premises to be used for an additional
purpose (that you define on the blank lines that follow the language "...Residential Dwelling
And") by selecting the corresponding checkbox and defining the additional purpose the property
may be used

for.

Some Landlords may be willing to provide certain items to the premises for the benefit of the
Tenant. The next section, "VI. Furnishings," allows us to solidify if any furniture will be rented
along with the premises. If any furniture will be part of this lease then, mark the first box "To Be
Furnished..." then record every piece of furniture (excluding appliances) that is provided.

Page 5 of 22
Otherwise, if the Landlord will not provide any furniture, then mark the second checkbox
instead.

In the seventh item ("VII. Appliances"), we will report if the Landlord will include appliances
with the rented property. If so, then mark the first statement then enter a list of the appliances the
Landlord shall provide for the duration of this lease.

If no appliance will be included with this lease, then mark the box labeled "Not Provide Any
Appliances"

Step 4 - Discuss The Monetary Obligations Of Each Party

The next task set before you is in the seventh article. In "VIII. Rent," the amount of money that
must be paid by the Tenant to the Landlord for the right to reside on the rented premises. This
amount should be displayed as the amount of money due every month for rent on the first blank
line after the dollar sign. It is also necessary to solidify the exact day of each month the rent is
due. Produce this as the two-digit calendar day on the blank space attached to "Of Every
Month..." Finally, use the empty line that follows "...Under The Following Instructions" to
document how the rent must be

Page 6 of 22
submitted.

It is generally recommended that this lease addresses a scenario where the Tenant has difficulty
paying this rent amount. In "IX. Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF Checks)," you must choose one of
two statements to indicate if a penalty will be imposed for an unsuccessful payment or not and if
so, how much such a penalty would be. If the Landlord wishes to penalize the Tenant when he or
she submits a check that bounces as a rent payment then mark the first checkbox statement and
present the penalty amount expected from the Tenant on the blank space between the dollar sign
and the term "...Per
Incident."

If no penalty fee will be charged, then mark the second checkbox.

At times, the Tenant will submit a successful payment that is late. Sometimes, the Landlord will
wish to impose a penalty on the Tenant when a rent payment is submitted late. If the Landlord
intends to charge such a fee, then mark the first checkbox as in the example provided. Keep in
mind that if this is the case the exact amount of money expected to satisfy the penalty should be
placed on the first blank line. Additionally, you must solidify whether this is a "One (1) Time
Payment" or if this payment will be expected "Every Day Rent Is Late" by marking either the
appropriate checkbox in this statement. Finally, inform the Tenant of the number of days after
the due date when this penalty will be
applied.

Page 7 of 22
If there will be no late fee or penalty, simply mark the checkbox attached to "There Shall Be No
Late Fee..."

The next topic of discussion will address payments due before the Tenant moves in. Search for
"XI. First (1st) Month's Rent" since this article must be used to solidify when the first month's
rent payment must be received by the Landlord. One of two statements may be selected to
display this due date. Choose the first statement, if the first month's rent is due "Upon The
Execution Of This Agreement." That is when it is signed by both Parties successfully.

The Landlord may prefer to wait until the first day when this lease goes into effect. In this case,
if the first month's rent payment is due "Upon The First (1st) Day Of The Lease Term," select
the second option.

Some agreements may require that the tenant pay a certain amount before the lease's effective
date. If so, then mark the checkbox corresponding to the wording "Pre-Pay Rent...." You must
continue through this selection by presenting the exact dollar amount that must be paid by the
Tenant on the first blank line then re-enter the starting date and ending date for this agreement as
reported

Page 8 of 22
above.

The Landlord may not require a pre-payment in this case. If this is the case then select the "Not
Be Required..." statement.

The next article of this lease, "XIII. Proration Period," will allow us to document a prorations
scenario that allows the Tenant to move in before the start of this lease. If this right is afforded to
the Tenant, then mark the box labeled "Shall Take Possession." This choice requires that you
verify the start date of the lease term on the first two blank lines then report the amount that must
be paid by the Tenant to be afforded this right. If this scenario is not applicable or the Tenant is
not allowed to move in early, then mark the second checkbox.

Article "XIV. Security Deposit" expects you to define the status of this standard requirement.
Mark the first checkbox if you wish to indicate that a security deposit is required by the Tenant
and record the exact amount of money that must be submitted to the Landlord for security. You
will also need to report the number of days after the end of the lease when this lease obligates the
Landlord to return the security deposit defined.

Page 9 of 22
If no security deposit is required then, mark the second statement in this article.

Step 5 - Supplement Details To Solidify Additional Terms And

Conditions

Some states will require a "Move-In Inspection" while others will not however, it is generally
recommended such action be undertaken at the time of move-in. If so, then, mark the first box in
"XV. Move-In Inspection."

If no move-in inspection is needed, then mark the second statement's checkbox.

Page 10 of 22
Many Landlords and Tenants will want to solidify the "Parking" arrangements that have been
agreed to. If the Landlord will provide one or more parking spaces for the Tenant's use, then
mark the first checkbox. Keep in mind, that if a parking space is provided then you must also
enter the number of spaces available on the first blank line of that choice, the parking fee on the
second blank line then indicate if this fee is due upon execution by marking the first checkbox or
if it is due monthly by marking the second checkbox. Finally, if a parking space will be assigned
to the Tenant (and you have marked the appropriate checkbox) then you must also disclose the
location of the provided space just after the term "...Are Described As"

If the Tenant should not expect a parking space available through this lease then mark the second
statement in "XVI. Parking."

The scenario where the Landlord sells the property will necessitate that we define whether the
new Landlord may terminate this agreement or not. If so, then mark the first statement in "XVII.
Sale Of Property" and record how many "Days' Notice" the new Landlord must give the Tenant
if he or she terminates the lease.

Page 11 of 22
If the new Property Owner will not have the right to terminate this agreement then mark the
second
checkbox.

The eighteenth article, "XVIII. Utilities" will give us the opportunity to solidify which utilities
the Landlord will arrange and be responsible for providing. If the Landlord will not pay for any
utilities, then you may leave this blank. If the Landlord must pay for any utilities, then you must
list them on the blank lines in "XVIII. Utilities."

If the Tenant will be given the right to terminate this agreement prematurely then mark the first
checkbox in "XIX. Early Termination" then produce how many "Days' Written notice..." on the
first blank line and how much the Tenant will be required to pay the Landlord if terminating this
agreement prematurely on the second blank line of this choice.

If the Tenant will not have this right, then mark the second checkbox.

Page 12 of 22
This lease will expect a definition of the "Smoking Policy" the Landlord has instituted for the
premises. If the Tenant may smoke only in certain areas, then mark the first statement in "XX.
Smoking Policy" and document where on the property smoking is permitted using the blank line
in this choice.

If smoking is "Prohibited On The Premises And Common Areas" then mark the second
checkbox.

The next article that requires definition is labeled as "XXI. Pets." You will need to select the
appropriate checkbox statement to define the pet policy the Landlord wishes upheld for the
duration of this lease. If the Tenant has the right to have and live with pets on the premises, then
you must select the "Shall Have The Right..." checkbox statement. This choice requires the
number of pets allowed on the first blank line, the types of pets the Tenant is allowed on the
second blank line, and the maximum number of pounds the Tenant's pet may have. Additionally,
if a pet fee is charged then enter it on the dollar sign line and check either the "Non-Refundable"
or "Refundable" to indicate what kind of pet fee is required.

Page 13 of 22
If the Tenant is not allowed to have pets, then mark the second checkbox statement.

The next Landlord stance we must divulge is handled in the Article "XXII. Waterbeds" where
you must mark the first checkbox statement if the Tenant may own and use a waterbed on the
premises or the second statement if the Tenant will not be given this right. In the example here,
the Tenant will not be allowed to use a waterbed on the property.

It should be considered imperative that we define a specific address where each party can receive
official correspondence or warnings regarding this lease from the other reliable. Thus, locate
"XXIII. Notices," then input the mailing address where any notices from the Tenant must be
mailed on the blank space titled "Landlord's/Agent's Address".

Page 14 of 22
The address where the Tenant will receive any notices pertaining to this agreement can be sent to
the property the Tenant is renting and whose address was defined earlier if you mark the
checkbox labeled "The Premises" (displayed below) otherwise if there is some "Other" address
where a notice from the Landlord must be sent then select the "Other" box and fill in the address
on the blank line
provided.

The article labeled "XXIV. Agent/Manager" seeks the identity and the contact information of
who the Landlord wishes the Tenant contact when repairs to the property are necessary. Mark the
checkbox if the Landlord has a specific Agent that he or she wishes the Tenant to contact when
repairs are required. This will also need the full "Name," "Telephone" number, and "E-Mail"
address on the three blank lines presented.

Page 15 of 22
If the Landlord does not have an Agent, then he or she must provide the "Telephone" number
and "E-Mail" the Tenant must use to contact the Landlord for repairs.

The next item that you must attend to is "XLVII. Lead Paint. If "The Premises Was Built Prior
To 1978," then mark the first checkbox otherwise, mark the second checkbox (as in the example)
to verify that this property was built after 1978.

Article "XLIX. Additional Terms And Conditions" presents a few blank lines that you can use to
include any material that both parties agree must be a part of the agreement they are entering.

Page 16 of 22
Step 6 - Execute the Agreement

Find "L. Entire Document." All the parties responsible for this agreement must sign this
document to place it in effect. The first party, the Landlord, must sign the "Landlord's Signature"
line then print his or her name and record the signature "Date".

Page 17 of 22
All the Tenants listed in the first article must sign and print their names then produce the
signature date immediately after. Both Tenant signature areas will contain a line for these tasks
("Tenant's Signature," "Print Name," and "Date") . Bear in mind that every Tenant named in the
first article must fulfill this obligation so if there are more than two Tenant(s) you must insert as
many signature areas as necessary to accommodate them or provide a signed attachment that is
properly labeled.

The Agent who arranged this contract must also sign his or her name. The "Agent's Signature"
line has been provided for this party's use along with the "Date" and "Print Name lines.

Page 18 of 22
Step 7 - Summarize The Tenant Payment Required Upon Signing

The next page, "Amount Due At Signing" is a list of the monies that have defined in this
agreement. List these values separately using the "Security Deposit," "First (1st) Month's rent,"
"Parking Fee," "Pet Fee(s)," "Pre-Payment Of Rent," and "Proration Amount." Make sure to
provide a total of these values on the "Total Amount" line. Notice that in this example, there will
be no applicable "Pre-Payment" or "Proration" amounts due, so a line has been drawn to verify
that no entry may be made in these

Page 19 of 22
areas.

Step 8 - All Signature Parties Must Comply With The Current Lead
Disclosure Laws

The final page of this document, "Disclosure Of Information On Lead-Based Paint And/or Lead-
Based Paint Hazards." Here, the Landlord must indicate the availability of information that
verifies the existence or absence of lead paint in the "Lessor's Disclosure" section by marking the
checkbox statement that best applies while the Tenant must verify his or receipt of the
information the Landlord is in possession of on this matter and the pamphlet "Protect Your
Family From Lead In Your Home" in the "Tenant's Acknowledgement" section by filling the
checkbox of each statement (if true). The Broker must also be willing to verify that he or she has
informed the Tenant of Tenant obligations defined in 42 USC 4852 (d). in the "Broker's
Acknowledgment" section.

Page 20 of 22
All Signing Parties who have signed the lease must sign the "Disclosure Of Information On
Lead-Based Paint And/or Lead-Based Paint Hazards" upon its completion.

Page 21 of 22
Page 22 of 22