Sample Residential Lease

Under a lease the landlord retains ownership of the property. The tenant has possession for the term of the lease. A lease can be month to month or for a specific period of time. A month to month lease continues until the tenant or landlord notifies the other party that he or she is terminating the lease. A lease for a specific time ends when that period is over. No notice is needed at the end of the term. The tenant is expected to move out of the dwelling.

1. Premises to be Leased. Landlord agrees to lease to Tenant the premises known as and located at the following address: [PROPERTY ADDRESS] , [PROPERTY CITY] , [PROPERTY STATE] .

The premises are rented furnished and will contain the following items:

2. Term of Lease. This Lease begins at 12:01 a.m. on [BEGINNING LEASE DATE] for a term of [LEASE TERM] . During the term of the Lease, Tenant shall pay $[RENT] per month as rent to the Landlord. Rent shall be due on the [RENT DUE DATE] day of each month through the term of this Lease. A late fee of $[AMOUNT OF LATE CHARGE] per day will be charged for past due rent.

3. Subletting. Tenant promises not to assign or transfer this Lease or any interest in this Lease, or sublet the premises or any part of the premises without the prior written consent of the Landlord.

4. Liens and Encumbrances. Tenant promises not to allow any liens or encumbrances to attach to the premises.

5. Occupancy. Tenant shall be entitled to use the premises for residential purposes only. The premises shall be occupied by the tenant, [TENANT'S NAME] , as well as the following persons and no others: [OCCUPANTS' NAMES] . No pets will be allowed on the premises.

6. Maintenance. Tenant shall maintain the premises in a safe and sanitary condition; dispose of all garbage, rubbish and waste in a clean, safe and legal manner, the storage of garbage on the premises being strictly prohibited; keep all plumbing fixtures in the premises clean, sanitary and in good working order; use and operate all electrical fixtures and plumbing fixtures properly; comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of housing, building and health codes; refrain, and forbid any other person from destroying, defacing, damaging or removing any part of the premises. Tenant shall not make any alterations to the premises or change any locks on the premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. Tenant shall not do anything on the premises that will increase or make voidable Landlord's insurance on the premises.

7. Utilities. Tenant shall be responsible for all deposits and payments for the following utilities: [UTILITIES NOT PROVIDED]

Payment for all utilities not listed in this paragraph as the responsibility of Tenant shall be the responsibility of Landlord.

8. Landlord Duties. Landlord shall comply with the requirements of all building, housing and health codes as they apply to Landlord. Landlord shall pay all real estate taxes and assessments as due, but reserves the right to contest any such tax assessment.

9. Premises As Is. Tenant acknowledges that he has inspected the premises prior to signing this Lease and accepts the premises in its present condition, except as noted on the attached list incorporated in this Lease by reference.

10. Termination. Either party may terminate this Lease by giving the other party no less than sixty (60) days' notice in writing prior to the termination date of this Lease. Unless such notice is given, this Lease shall be extended for an additional [EXTENDED LEASE TERM] on the same terms, except that Landlord may increase the rent on the premises with thirty (30) days' notice. Upon termination of this Lease, Tenant agrees to return the premises to the Landlord in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition, except for ordinary wear and tear.

11. Liabilities. Tenant agrees to assume all liability and hold Landlord harmless from any and all injuries to persons or damage to property caused by Tenant or any other person on the premises with Tenant's permission. Tenant agrees to pay any costs and attorney fees incurred by Landlord in defending any lawsuit or other action brought in regard to such injuries or damage.

All personal property in the premises is at Tenant's risk only and Landlord shall not be liable for any damages to it, nor is Landlord responsible for insuring Tenant's personal property.

12. Destruction of Premises. In the event more than half of the premises is destroyed by fire or other loss, Landlord and Tenant agree that this Lease shall become void at the option of either Landlord or Tenant.

13. Default. If Tenant makes any default on this Lease, it shall be lawful for Landlord and his representatives and agents to re-enter and repossess the premises, or evict Tenant in the manner prescribed by law. Waiver of any default by the Landlord shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent default.

14. Access. Tenant shall allow Landlord access to the premises for purposes of repair and inspection. Landlord shall exercise this right of access in a reasonable manner. Landlord shall give Tenant reasonable notice before exercising this right of access, except in case of emergency.

15. Notice. All notices required by this Lease shall be provided in writing, mailed to the parties as follows:

TO LANDLORD: [LANDLORD'S ADDRESS]
[LANDLORD'S CITY STATE AND ZIP]

TO TENANT: [TENANT'S ADDRESS]
[TENANT'S CITY STATE AND ZIP]

16. Parties Bound. This Lease and the promises and agreements it contains shall be binding on the respective heirs, successors, representatives, agents and assigns of the parties.

17. Complete Agreement. This Lease is the complete and final agreement of Landlord and Tenant in regard to the premises described in the Lease. This Lease supersedes any oral or written agreements regarding these premises.

WARNING: THIS LEASE IS A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT. YOU SHOULD NOT SIGN IT UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND IT COMPLETELY. CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY FOR ASSISTANCE.

Dated this [DAY] day of [MONTH] [YEAR] .

______________________________
[LANDLORD'S NAME]
Landlord
______________________________
[TENANT'S NAME]
Tenant

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