How to Request a Lease Agreement From Your Landlord
As a tenant renting your home on a month-to-month basis, you may desire to obtain more certainty and stability in your housing situation. You may be interested in entering into a written, longer-term lease with your landlord. An unwritten rental in all states is, by definition, month to month. You need to develop an appropriate strategy to request a written and more extended lease agreement from your landlord.
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Instructions
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Decide how long of a lease agreement you desire. Pursuant to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (and similar laws) enforced in states across the country, the longest term for a residential lease is one year. A written lease can be for any term of 12 months or less.
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Develop a rent range you're able to pay on the property. Although you already have an agreement regarding rent on a month-to-month basis, your landlord may desire to make an adjustment to your monetary obligation.
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Establish how much you feel you can put down for a security deposit. You likely already have a security deposit in place. However, by requesting a longer lease term, your landlord may desire a larger security deposit.
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Schedule a meeting with your landlord during which you informally discuss your position in regard to a written lease agreement.
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Outline your position in regard to the key elements of a proposed written lease agreement.
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Listen to the proposals made by your landlord and consider whether or not they fit with your own objectives.
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Draft or complete a standard form lease agreement encompassing the agreement made between you and the landlord. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development supports local housing counseling agencies that provide lease forms and other resources. These forms are available at most local office supply stores.
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Sign the new written lease agreement. The best practice is for both you and your landlord to sign two original copies of the lease. By doing so, you'll each have your own original lease agreement for future reference.
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Tips & Warnings
Take advantage of a standard form lease agreement. You'll save time by taking this approach. Additionally, by using a standard form, you'll be using an agreement that satisfies the specifics of landlord and tenant law in your state.
