How to make a Free Printable Lease Agreement

With the economy coming down and with living arrangements becoming harder and harder for people to find and/or maintain, it's important to have a strong, loophole free lease when moving into a new home or apartment. Don't leave anything to chance and don't feel stuck to whatever your new landlord gives you; make your own free printable lease agreement.

Instructions

1. To get your free printable lease agreement started, you'll need the bones. Place the date and who the lease is between at the very top. Example:

   This lease, dated ____, is between (landlord's name) and (tenant's name).

2. Label section 1. Use this area to detail who the landlord is. Example:

   1. Landlord
   The landlord is: (Landlord's name) and will be referred to in this leasing contract as "the Landlord".

3. Label section 2. Use this area to detail who the tenant is. Example:

   2. Tenant
   The tenant is: (Tenant's name) and will be referred to in this lease agreement as "the Tenant".

4. Make section 3 to mark down what the rental property is. Go into as much detail as possible, including the address and what amenities you will be afforded such as laundry room usage. This is especially important if you are sharing a home with a roommate or your landlord. Example:

   3. Rental Property
   The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the property described as a house located at (address). The Landlord is leasing a single bedroom home and attached garage. This will be known as Leased Residence.

5. Section 4 should deal with the terms of the lease agreement. State the date the lease will begin and what type of contract it will be. Example:

   4. Term of Lease Agreement
   The lease will begin on (date) and continue on a month-to-month basis until such time that the proper notice is given.

6. Section 5 will use subsections to cover any usage rules of the property. Example:

   5. Use and Occupancy of Property
   A. The only person living in the Leased Premises is: (Tenant's name)
   B. The Tenant will use the property only as a residence.
   C. Guests will be allowed at the Landlord's discrepancy.

7. Make the 6th section deal with rent. Subsections will be needed to cover how much is paid, when it is paid and how it should be paid. Example:

   6. Rent
   A. The amount of rent is $300 to be paid monthly.
   B. The rent is to be paid on or before the 1st week of the month.
   C. Check payments will be made payable to (Landlord's name)

8. Label section 7. It should deal with utilities. This is especially important if the landlord is responsible for any services, such as garbage, or in the case of a Landlord-Tenant roommate relationship. Example:

   7. Utilities and Services
   A. All utilities will be held in the Tenant's name.
   B. The Landlord will be responsible for the following services:
   1) Trash collection
   2) Sewage

9. Make the 8th section focus on maintenance of the residence. It is, by law, the responsibility of a landlord to keep a residence in working order if s/he wishes to rent it. It is very important that your rental agreement have this section. Example:

   8. Maintenance and Repairs
   The Landlord shall be responsible for maintenance and repairs about the Leased Premises unless caused by the negligence of the Tenant. The Tenant will be responsible for repairs caused by negligence.
   A. It is the responsibility to notify the Landlord of the need for any repairs needed of which the Tenant becomes aware.

10. Make a space for a list in section 9: Condition of Property. Any damage the tenant sees should be written down, be specific.

11. Section 10 should deal with pets. Even if pets are not allowed, it is important to have this in the lease.

12. Label the 11th section for parking. Example:

    11. Parking
    A. Parking is provided as street-side or backyard.

13. Section 12 is very important to a landlord. Any insurance you provide on personal belongings within the home should be stated now, or lack thereof. Example:

    12. Insurance
    A. The Landlord is not responsible for loss or damage that occurs to the Tenant's personal property, unless it is by the Landlord's negligence that it is lost or damaged.

14. Section 13 should be how to end the lease agreement. If you want to require one week, a full month or anything else say so. Example:

    13. Ending the lease agreement
    A. Either the Landlord or the Tenant may end the lease by giving 30 day's prior written notice.

15. Add a line that indicates the signatories have read, understood and agree to abide by the conditions of the lease agreement.

16. Two lines should be provided for the Tenant and the Landlord to sign and date the free printable lease agreement.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not be afraid to 'haggle' over the terms of a rental agreement. As long as you don't go overboard, a landlord may be happy to accept any changes you want.

• Read thoroughly any leasing contract you are given or that you write. You don't want a little mistake or a little skimmed over area to come back on you.

Resources

• Do you need to make a lease for roommates? Use this instead.