Forms By State

A rental application is used to screen Tenants properly by producing criminal and background checks on potential Tenants. This application should be processed before signing any written lease agreement forms.

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Standard Residential Lease Agreement

Simple (1-Page) Lease Agreement

Lease Agreement Form Key Elements: For Apartments, Houses and Condominiums

The basic 1-page lease agreement form is short and simple and fortunately the fill-able blanks can be extended as long as you need. This form summarizes the legal basics of an average standard lease into a short and easy on the eyes read including basic legal points.

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Each state has its own updated local laws therefore we offer separate 1-page lease agreements with tailored up to date local laws for all 50 US states and the city of Washington, DC.

Most Recent US Home Facts

Population (2023): 334,914,895
Median Households (2022): 125,736,353
Median Household Income (2022): $75,149
Owner-occupied Households (2022): 64.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

How to Write a Simple 1-Page Lease Agreement (9 Steps)

This 1-page residential lease agreement outlines the rules for both Landlords and Tenants when renting property in exchange for rent payments. This legal form is is used when rental issues arise that need to be quickly solved before, during, and after the lease duration, i.e. ending lease early (termination), maintenance, rent payments, visitor policies, deposit details, etc.

Step 1

Parties: First input the date then enter the Landlords or Property Owners and the Tenants full legal name/business and mailing address.

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Step 2

Property: Enter the rental property address including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Then select the type of rental property.

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Step 3

Term: Enter the lease start and end dates.

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Step 4

Rent: Enter the total rent amount and due date. Enter any additional instructions or policies (i.e. payment methods, Grace Periods, etc.).

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Step 5

Security Deposits: Check whether the Landlord requires a security deposit or not. If the security deposit is required enter the total amount.

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Step 6

Utilities: Enter the utilities the Landlord is responsible for.

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Step 7

Pets: Check if pets are allowed on the rental property or not.

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Step 8

Additional Terms and Conditions: Any additional terms and conditions

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Step 9

Signatures: The Landlord and Tenant(s) sign and date.

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What local State and national Federal laws do Landlords need to know when renting property to Tenants?

Local Laws: Including rental license, housing codes, occupancy limits, rental inspections and landlord-tenant regulations.
State Laws: regulations including security deposits, eviction procedures, lease agreements, habitability standards, and anti-discrimination laws.
Federal Laws: Fair Housing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form.
Federal Regulations: Property tax laws, environmental regulations, and national health and safety codes.
Zoning Laws
Landlord Liability Laws

What do Landlords get sued the most for?

Maintenance and Repairs: Plumbing problems, electrical issues and structural defects that lead to Tenant injury or property damage.
Health and Safety Violations: Landlords who fail to provide heating, sanitation or pest infestations.
Discrimination: Landlords who refuse to rent to Tenants based on race, ethnicity,religion or disability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whats the Difference Between Simple and Standard Residential Lease Agreements?

Simple Residential Lease Agreement: Basic terms and conditions.
Standard Residential Lease Agreement: Comprehensive list of the terms and conditions.

When to hire a Real Estate Agent or Broker?

Landlords and property owners who decide to let a professional handle these tasks should consider what general practices to follow when hiring a real estate broker. The National Association of Realtors provides the updates rules and laws on independent contractors and the pros and cons of hiring a broker through an agency.

How to find owner of property by address for free?

Search property online or go to the local tax assessors office or the local county clerk’s office.

Can a property owner block an easement?

No unless the owner has specific legal circumstances that allows them to block the easement.

What is a Tenant?

A Tenant is an individual whom rents property from a Landlord or owner in exchange for rent payments.

hat rights do Tenants have without a lease?

Habitable living conditions, discrimination protection, and prior notice before eviction.

What is Tenant insurance?

Tenant insurance (renters insurance) provides insurance coverage for personal property and liability within the rental property. This insurance can cover more depending on the options and coverage and on the amount the Tenant is willing to spend on the insurance.

How much is Tenant insurance?

The amount for Tenant insurance is usually between $10-$30 per month.

What is tenants-in-common?

Tenants-in-common is when two or more individuals own one property together but owns each share separately allowing them to each sell, mortgage or transfer their share without the consent of the other owners.

What to do with mail from previous Tenant or Property Owner?

Write on the mail “Return to Sender” and put back in the mailbox.

How to evict a Tenant?

Check local laws as the process is different depending on jurisdiction.

How much does a Tenant lawyer cost?

There’s no one price for Tenant lawyers. It’s recommended to get a personal referral if possible or do your research and consult in person with lawyers before agreeing to anything in writing.

National Association of Realtors

For any other questions, refer to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) website – nar.realtor

Landlord’s Access Notice Requirements by State

State	Required Notice	Statute
Alabama	2 days	§ 35-9A-303
Alaska	24 hours	§ 34.03.140
Arizona	48 hours	§ 33-1343
Arkansas	N/A	N/A
California	24 hours (non-emergency), 48 hours (move-out inspection)	§ 1954
Colorado	N/A	N/A
Connecticut	Reasonable notice	§ 47a-16
Delaware	48 hours	Title 25 § 5509
Florida	24 hours	§ 83.53
Georgia	N/A	N/A
Hawaii	2 days	§ 521-53
Idaho	N/A	N/A
Illinois	N/A	N/A
Indiana	Reasonable notice	§ 32-31-5-6
Iowa	24 hours	§ 562A.19
Kansas	Reasonable notice	§ 58-2557
Kentucky	2 days	§ 383.615
Louisiana	N/A	N/A
Maine	24 hours	§ 6025
Maryland	N/A	N/A
Massachusetts	Reasonable notice	Sanitary Code (410.810)
Michigan	N/A	N/A
Minnesota	“Reasonable notice” (no less than 24 hours)	§ 504B.211
Mississippi	N/A	N/A
Missouri	N/A	N/A
Montana	24 hours	§ 70-24-312
Nebraska	24 hours	§ 76-1423
Nevada	24 hours	NRS 118A.330
New Hampshire	Reasonable notice	RSA 540-A:3
New Jersey	1 day	§ 5:10-5.1
New Mexico	24 hours	§ 47-8-24
New York	N/A	N/A
North Carolina	N/A	N/A
North Dakota	Reasonable notice	§ 47-16-07.3
Ohio	24 hours	§ 5321.04
Oklahoma	1 day	§ 41-128
Oregon	24 hours	§ 90.322
Pennsylvania	N/A	N/A
Rhode Island	2 days	§ 34-18-26
South Carolina	24 hours	§ 27-40-530
South Dakota	24 hours	§ 43-32-32
Tennessee	24 hours	§ 66-28-403
Texas	N/A	N/A
Utah	24 hours	§ 57-22-4
Vermont	48 hours	§ 4460
Virginia	24 hours	§ 55.1-1229(A)
Washington	2 days (repairs), 1 day (showings)	§ 59.18.150
West Virginia	N/A	N/A
Wisconsin	Advance notice	§ 704.05(2)
Wyoming	N/A	N/A

State Security Deposit Laws

State	Maximum Deposit	Return Timeline	Statute
Alabama	1 month’s rent	60 days	§ 35-9A-201(a), § 35-9A-201(b)
Details: Security deposit must be returned 60 days after lease termination and possession delivery.
Alaska	2 months’ rent	14-30 days	§ 34.03.070(a), § 34.03.070(g)
Details: 14 days if tenant leaves on time, 30 days otherwise. Applies to units under $2,000.
Arizona	1.5 months’ rent	14 days	§ 33-1321
Details: Excludes weekends and holidays; based on move-out inspection.
Arkansas	2 months’ rent	60 days	§ 18-16-304, § 18-16-305
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 60 days of termination of tenancy.
California	1 month’s rent	21 days	§ 1950.5
Details: Deposit must be returned within 21 days of move-out date.
Colorado	2 months’ rent	1-2 months	§ 38-12-102.5, § 38-12-103
Details: 1 month if specified in the lease, 2 months otherwise.
Connecticut	1-2 months’ rent	21-15 days	§ 47a-21
Details: 1 month for tenants 62 or older, 2 months for younger tenants. Return within 21 days or 15 days of receiving a forwarding address.
Delaware	1 month’s rent	20 days	§ 5514
Details: Applies to leases of one year or longer. Return within 20 days.
Florida	No limit	15-30 days	§ 83.49(3)(a)
Details: Return within 30 days if deductions, 15 days if no deductions.
Georgia	2 months’ rent	30 days	§ 44-7-30.1, § 44-7-34
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of termination.
Hawaii	1 month’s rent	14 days	§ 521-44
Details: Excludes pet fees; deposit must be returned within 14 days of lease termination.
Idaho	No limit	21-30 days	§ 6-321
Details: Return within 30 days if specified in lease, 21 days otherwise.
Illinois	No limit	30-45 days	§ 765 ILCS 710
Details: Return within 30 days if deductions, 45 days if no deductions.
Indiana	No limit	45 days	§ 32-31-3-12
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 45 days of lease termination.
Iowa	2 months’ rent	30 days	§ 562A.12
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant has vacated.
Kansas	1 month’s rent (unfurnished), 1.5 months’ rent (furnished)	14-30 days	§ 58-2550
Details: Return within 14 days after making deductions, or within 30 days of termination.
Kentucky	No limit	60 days	§ 383.580(6)
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 60 days of lease termination.
Louisiana	No limit	1 month	§ 9:3251
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 1 month of lease termination.
Maine	2 months’ rent	21-30 days	§ 6032, § 6033
Details: Return within 30 days for fixed-period leases, or 21 days for tenancy-at-will.
Maryland	1 month’s rent	45 days	§ 8–203
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 45 days of lease termination.
Massachusetts	1 month’s rent	30 days	Chapter 186, Section 15B
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant has vacated.
Michigan	1.5 months’ rent	30 days	§ 554.602, § 554.609
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days from the end of occupancy.
Minnesota	No limit	3 weeks	§ 504B.178
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 3 weeks of termination date.
Mississippi	No limit	45 days	§ 89-8-21
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 45 days of tenancy end.
Missouri	2 months’ rent	30 days	§ 535.300
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
Montana	No limit	10-30 days	§ 70-25-202
Details: Return within 10 days if no deductions, 30 days if deductions are made.
Nebraska	1 month’s rent (excluding pet fees)	14 days	§ 76-1416
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 14 days of move-out.
Nevada	3 months’ rent	30 days	NRS 118A.242
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of tenancy end.
New Hampshire	1 month’s rent or $100 (whichever is greater)	20-30 days	RSA 540-A:6, RSA 540-A:7
Details: Return within 30 days, or 20 days if landlord shares property with the tenant.
New Jersey	1.5 months’ rent	30 days	§ 46:8-21.2, § 46:8-21.1
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
New Mexico	1 month’s rent (under 1 year), no limit (over 1 year)	30 days	§ 47-8-18
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
New York	1 month’s rent	14 days	§ 7-108(e)
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 14 days after the tenant vacates.
North Carolina	1.5-2 months’ rent	30-60 days	§ 42-51, § 42-52
Details: 2 months’ rent for tenancies over 2 months, 1.5 months for month-to-month tenancies. Return within 30 days, with an additional 30 days if deductions are made.
North Dakota	1 month’s rent (excluding pet deposits)	30 days	§ 47-16-07.1
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
Ohio	No limit	30 days	§ 5321.16
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of termination of tenancy.
Oklahoma	No limit	45 days	§ 41-115(B)
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 45 days of lease termination.
Oregon	No limit	31 days	§ 90.300
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 31 days of lease termination.
Pennsylvania	2 months’ rent	30 days	§ 250.511a, § 250.512
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
Rhode Island	1 month’s rent	20 days	§ 34-18-19
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 20 days of lease termination.
South Carolina	No limit	30 days	§ 27-40-410
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
South Dakota	1 month’s rent	14-45 days	§ 43-32-6.1, § 43-32-24
Details: Return within 14 days if no deductions, 45 days if deductions are made.
Tennessee	No limit	30 days	§ 66-28-301
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
Texas	No limit	30 days	§ 92.103
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant has vacated.
Utah	No limit	30 days	§ 57-17-3
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
Vermont	No limit	14-60 days	§ 4461
Details: Return within 14 days for non-seasonal properties, or 60 days for seasonal properties.
Virginia	2 months’ rent	45 days	§ 55.1-1226(A)
Details: Return within 45 days of lease termination or tenant vacating, whichever occurs last.
Washington	No limit	30 days	§ 59.18.280
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of tenant’s move-out date.
West Virginia	No limit	45-60 days	§ 37-6A-2
Details: Return within 60 days after tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever is sooner.
Wisconsin	No limit	21 days	§ 134.06
Details: Security deposit must be returned within 21 days of tenant vacancy.
Wyoming	No limit	15-30 days	§ 1-21-1208(A)
Details: Return within 30 days of lease termination, or 15 days of receiving tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is sooner.

Sample Lease Agreement Fill-able Form

Simple 1 Page Residential Rental Lease Agreement