Apartment Lease Agreement

An apartment lease agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines basic terms under which a landlord allows a tenant to occupy a residential apartment for a specified period of time. The document aims to establish a clear legal framework for lease relationships between a tenant and a landlord. A standard apartment lease agreement usually includes the list of main rental obligations, schedule for lease payments, conditions for the lease termination, responsibility for utility bills etc.

Although a written apartment rental contract is not strictly required at the federal or state level, the vast majority of rentals in the United States are documented in writing. First, it serves as a legal evidence of an arrangement between the parties. Second, it significantly reduces risk of potential disputes. Third, it clarifies the initial terms of the lease.

The parties to an apartment lease agreement template are a landlord and a tenant. A landlord is an individual or a business entity that owns an apartment. It is also common that an owner is being represented by a property manager who manages an apartment on an owner’s behalf. A tenant is always an individual, couple, family, or group of roommates who want to rent out a residential property for a long term.

The present apartment rental contract is suitable for the lease of various types of apartments, including studio, loft, penthouse, one-, two-, three-bedrooms etc.  If you plan to rent a house or villa, it is better to use a standard residential lease agreement instead. For vacation or holiday properties, we recommend using our separate short-term rental agreement template.

Who is this apartment lease agreement suitable for?

The present apartment rental lease agreement could be a helpful legal solution for:

• property owners and landlords who want to find a professionally drafted legal template;
• property managers who need a reliable apartment lease agreement template for daily operations;
• tenants who wish to rent out an apartment and need to secure their rights and obligations before entering into a lease.

What does this agreement template cover?

The present apartment rental lease agreement template includes all required and essential clauses and components to make a complete and solid legal document.

Property Description

The first and most important pillar of every apartment rental lease agreement is an apartment’s description. Thus, a solid document template must include:

• full apartment’s address;
• apartment’s size in square feet;
• apartment’s type—studio, loft, penthouse, etc.;
• number of bedrooms;
• number of bathrooms; and
• list of furniture and appliances (if applicable).

Lease Duration

A standard apartment lease agreement shall outline the lease duration. It could be stated in days, months, or years. This apartment lease agreement is suitable for a long-term lease with a minimum duration of one calendar year.

Lease contracts in the U.S. are concluded at-will, which means that either party can end it at any time. To do so, one party shall send a prior written notice to the other party to end the contract. A standard notice period is 30 calendar days. However, if a lease duration is two or more years, a notice period could be extended.

Once the original lease period expires, the contract shall automatically end. However, parties may choose to include an automatic renewal clause, under which this agreement is prolonged for the same period of time.

Use of Premises

All apartment rental agreement forms must describe in detail the exact purpose for which a tenant must use an apartment. As a general rule, an apartment shall only be used for living and residential purposes. However, it is common for landlords to include additional limitations:

• no commercial activity in the premises;
• no subleasing;
• no abandonment for a period longer than 14 days;
• no major repairs or modifications of a property.

Security Deposit

A security deposit is a fixed sum of money that is being paid at the beginning of the lease by a tenant. The main purpose of a security deposit is to secure the tenant’s proper performance of an apartment lease agreement. If, for instance, a tenant causes damage to a rented property, a landlord may use such a deposit to make repairs.

The rules regarding the amount and return of a security deposit vary from state to state. If you lease an apartment in Florida, state laws require a landlord to return your deposit within 15 days after the lease termination. It means that if, upon termination of a Florida apartment lease agreement, a landlord fails to obey such a rule, a tenant can go to the court. Contrary to that, in New York, rules are much easier for landlords. In a New York apartment lease agreement, a landlord is not limited by any specific period of time for the return of a deposit.

Governing Law

Every apartment lease agreement shall comply with a specific state law. This is usually the state where the apartment is physically located. For example, if you see a California apartment lease agreement, it means that a rented apartment is in California, and the laws of that state automatically apply to it. Once a state is selected, it means that in case of a dispute between the parties, the courts of the selected state shall hear the case.

What are the benefits of this apartment lease agreement template?

FasterDraft offers a solid and professionally drafted apartment lease agreement template:

• editable document in PDF and Word formats;
• written in a plain language without unnecessary legal jargon;
• fully compliant with the main laws and regulations of a selected state;
• ready-to-use document;
• includes key legal clauses required for a standard U.S. rental contracts;
• considers best rental practices;
• created by real lawyers, never by AI.

How to customize a document template at Faster Draft?

To get a fully customized legal document, follow a few easy steps below:

• Click the “Create Document” button.
• Answer simple questions in the apartment lease agreement form.
• Select a document’s format—apartment lease agreement sample PDF or Word.
• Make a payment.
• E-sing, download, and get instant access to your document.