Residential Lease Agreement
For a landlord renting a house, apartment or condo to tenants for a fixed term, usually 6 or 12 months. It covers the core terms common across US states; most states and many cities require additional disclosures or addenda.
- Fields
- 43
- Pages
- 4
- Paper
- Letter
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Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Landlord or management company name and notice address
- Every adult tenant's legal name
- Property address, unit number and included parking or storage
- Lease start and end dates
- Monthly rent, due day, late fee and grace period
- Security deposit amount (check your state's cap and holding rules)
- Utility responsibilities and pet terms
- Required disclosures for your state and property (lead paint for pre-1978 housing)
What's inside
43 fields, ready to fill
- 27Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 6Dateschecked as real dates
- 7Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 3Signaturessignature and initials
22 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the Residential Lease Agreement
- 1
Enter landlord and tenants
Name every adult occupant as a tenant so each is responsible for the lease. Add the landlord's address for notices.
- 2
Describe the premises and term
Enter the full address with unit number, anything included such as parking, and the start and end dates.
- 3
Set rent and deposit
Enter monthly rent, due day, grace period, late fee and the security deposit. Keep fees within state limits.
- 4
Assign utilities and pets
Check which utilities the tenant pays and whether pets are allowed, with any pet deposit.
- 5
Attach addenda
List the addenda you are attaching, such as lead-based paint disclosure, mold, bed bugs or local rent ordinances.
- 6
Sign
All tenants and the landlord sign and date. Give each tenant a copy.
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What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws differ by state and city (deposits, notice periods, required disclosures); have a qualified professional review it for your situation.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Residential Lease Agreement: questions people ask
Does this lease work in every state?
It covers terms common to most US leases but cannot include every state or city rule. Deposit limits, return deadlines, entry notice, late-fee caps and required disclosures differ, and some cities require specific forms. Add the addenda your location requires.
Is the lead-based paint disclosure required?
For most housing built before 1978, federal law requires landlords to give the EPA pamphlet and a signed lead disclosure before the lease is signed. It is a separate attachment.
Do leases need to be notarized or witnessed?
Most residential leases do not. A few states require witnesses or recording for long leases, typically over one year or more. Check if your term is unusually long.
Can a lease be signed electronically?
Generally yes. The ESIGN Act and state UETA laws cover leases. Some required notices, such as certain eviction notices, may still need paper delivery.
What happens when the lease ends?
Under this template the tenancy becomes month to month on the same terms unless either party gives written notice before the end date. Local law may set the notice period.
Can I add co-signers?
Yes. Use a separate guaranty signed by the guarantor and attach it as an addendum.
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