Leases and Rental Agreements

Signing a Lease or Rental Agreement FAQ Learn about the laws that cover security deposits, rent increases, and late fees.

Key Terms in Option-to-Purchase Agreements Make sure your lease-option agreement is clear on important details, such as how and when the purchase price of the house is determined.

The Basics of Rent-To-Own Agreements Rent-to-own agreements often sound like a good idea for tenants who might struggle to buy a home in the traditional way. But both landlords and tenants should be aware of the pros and cons of rent-to-own deals before they sign any agreement.

Coronavirus-Related Amendments to Your Residential Lease Residential landlords might need to vary the terms of their leases in light of legal and practical realities of the coronavirus epidemic. Here are some suggestions on how to vary particular clauses.

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Key Terms in Leases and Rental Agreements

Key Terms in Leases and Rental Agreements

Typical Provisions in Leases and Rental Agreements Key terms you can expect to see in a lease or rental agreement.

Articles on Subletting and Subtenants

Articles on Subletting and Subtenants

How to Sublet a Rental Unit If your lease or rental agreement prohibits sublets (called subleases), be sure to get your landlord’s permission before allowing someone else to move into your rental on a temporary basis.

Sample Tenant Letter Requesting Landlord Permission to Sublet Get your landlord’s written okay before subletting your rental unit.

Tenants: How to Make Airbnb Work for You and Your Landlord Tips for tenants who want to rent all or part of their apartment on Airbnb or similar short-term rental sites.

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Questions on Leases and Rental Agreements

Questions on Leases and Rental Agreements

Can My Landlord Prohibit Smoking If the Lease Doesn't? My rental doesn’t have a no-smoking policy, but my landlord wants to evict me for smoking. What are my rights?

Can I Transfer My Lease to a New Tenant? Is there a way I can pass all financial responsibility under my lease to a new tenant?

Changing or Breaking Your Lease

Changing or Breaking Your Lease

Breaking a Lease and Leaving Early Find out what landlords can (and can’t) do when tenants leave before the end of their lease.

How a Landlord May Change Your Tenancy Without Ending It How the landlord may (or may not) make changes during your month-to-month tenancy or lease

How Month-to-Month Tenancies End A month-to-month tenancy renews (sometimes termed “rolls over”) every 30 days. But when a tenant or landlord is ready to end a month-to-month tenancy, they must follow their state's rules and procedures.

Required Landlord Disclosures

Required Landlord Disclosures

Required Landlord Disclosures Landlords who don't make the disclosures required by federal, state, and local laws might be subject to fines, lawsuits, and other penalties.

Renting With Pets

Renting With Pets

Smart Landlord Policies for Pet-Friendly Rentals A pet agreement can reduce a landlord's risks in a pet-friendly building. Here's what to include in the agreement.

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