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FACTSHEETS - Leases and Rental Agreements FAQ
From the Nolo.com Landlords & Tenants CenterWhat you need to know to create a legally valid lease or rental agreement.
What's Below:
Do I need a written lease or rental agreement?
What's the difference between a rental agreement and a lease?
Does rent have to be due on the first of the month?
How do rent control laws work?
How much security deposit can a landlord charge?
Where can I find a dependable lease or rental agreement?
Do I need a written lease or rental agreement?
The lease or rental agreement is the key document of the tenancy, setting out important issues such as:
* the length of the tenancy
* the amount of rent and deposits the tenant must pay
* the number of people who can live on the rental property
* who pays for utilities
* whether the tenant may have pets
* whether the tenant may sublet the property
* the landlord's access to the rental property, and
* who pays attorney's fees if there is a lawsuit.Leases and rental agreements should always be in writing, even though most states allow them to be oral (spoken). While oral agreements may seem easy and informal, they often lead to disputes. If a tenant and landlord later disagree about key agreements, such as whether or not the tenant can sublet, the end result is all too likely to be a court argument over who said what to whom, when, and in what context. This is particularly a problem with long-term leases, so courts in most states will not enforce oral agreements after the passage of one year.
What's the difference between a rental agreement and a lease?
A rental agreement provides for a tenancy of a short period (often 30 days) that is automatically renewed at the end of the period unless the tenant or landlord ends it by giving written notice. For these month-to-month rentals, the landlord can change the terms of the agreement with proper written notice.
A written lease, on the other hand, gives a renter the right to occupy a rental unit for a set term -- most often for six months or a year but sometimes longer -- if the tenant pays the rent and complies with other lease provisions. The landlord cannot raise the rent or change other terms of the tenancy during the lease, unless the tenant agrees. Unlike a rental agreement, when a lease expires it does not usually automatically renew itself. A tenant who stays on after a lease ends with the landlord's consent will generally be considered a month-to-month tenant, subject to the rental terms that were in the lease.
Does rent have to be due on the first of the month?
By custom, leases and rental agreements usually require rent to be paid monthly, in advance. Often rent is due on the first day of the month. However, it is legal for a landlord to require rent to be paid at different intervals or on a different day of the month.
How do rent control laws work?
Communities in only five states -- California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York -- have laws that limit the amount of rent landlords may charge.
Rent control ordinances (also called rent stabilization or maximum rent regulation) limit the circumstances and the times that rent may be increased. Many rent control laws also require landlords to have a legal or just cause (that is, a good reason) to evict a tenant -- for example, if the tenant doesn't pay rent or if the landlord wants to move a family member into the rental unit.
Landlords and tenants in New York City, Newark, San Francisco, and other cities with rent control should be sure to get a current copy of the rent control ordinance and any regulations interpreting it. Check the phone book for the address and phone number of the local rent control board or contact the mayor or city manager's office.
How much security deposit can a landlord charge?
All states allow landlords to collect a security deposit when the tenant moves in; the general purpose is to assure that the tenant pays rent when due and keeps the rental unit in good condition. Half the states limit the amount landlords can charge, usually not more than a month or two worth of rent -- the exact amount depends on the state.
Many states require landlords to put deposits in a separate account and some require landlords to pay tenants the interest on deposits.
Where can I find a dependable lease or rental agreement?
Using a using a jargon-laden form bought at a local office supply store can spell trouble. These forms are often overly legalistic, may contain illegal clauses, and are probably out of date as to what the law requires.
Nolo's forms are easy to understand, fair, and always up to date. For a Fixed-Term Residential Lease or a Month-to-Month Residential Rental Agreement, see Every Landlord's Legal Guide, by Marcia Stewart, Ralph Warner, and Janet Portman (Nolo).
Click here for related information and products from Nolo.com.
© 2004 Nolo.com.Disclaimer of Liability:
The information contained in this material is for the sole purpose of providing general information only, and must not be construed as legal advice, or take the place of competent legal counsel. Do not rely on these materials without consulting an attorney concerning your situation. The dissemination of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not seek to represent you based upon your visit or review of this information.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the material is current. However, the law does change and the general information contained within may become dated. You should seek the advice of legal counsel for specific situations and advice to the "then existing" status of the law.