Teacher Resources for Consumer.gov | Developed for the FTC by the Center for Applied Linguistics
SAMPLE RENTAL AGREEMENT
(Basic / Beginning)
THIS AGREEMENT made this 15
th
Day of June, 2012, by and between ABC Properties, herein called
“Landlord,” and Silvia Mando, herein called “Tenant.” Landlord hereby agrees to rent to Tenant the dwelling
located at 9876 Cherry Avenue, Apartment 426 under the following terms and conditions.
1. FIXED-TERM AGREEMENT (LEASE):
Tenants agree to lease this dwelling for a xed term of one year, beginning July 1, 2012 and
ending June 30, 2013. Upon expiration, this Agreement shall become a month-to-month agreement
AUTOMATICALLY, UNLESS either Tenants or Owners notify the other party in writing at least 30 days
prior to expiration that they do not wish this Agreement to continue on any basis.
2. RENT:
Tenant agrees to pay Landlord as base rent the sum of $685 per month, due and payable monthly in
advance on the 1st day of each month during the term of this agreement. The rst month’s rent is required
to be submitted on or before move-in.
3. FORM OF PAYMENT:
Tenants agree to pay their rent in the form of a personal check, a cashier’s check, or a money order made
out to the Landlord.
4. RENT PAYMENT PROCEDURE:
Tenants agree to pay their rent by mail addressed to the Landlord at 426 Main Street, Anycity, USA, or in
person at the same address, or in such other way as the Landlord will advise the Tenant in writing.
5. RENT DUE DATE:
Tenant hereby acknowledges that late payment will cause Landlord to incur costs not contemplated by this
Rental Agreement. We allow for a 3 day grace period. In the event rent is not received prior to the 4th of
the month, Tenant agrees to pay a $25 late fee, plus an additional $5 per day for every day thereafter until
the rent is paid. Neither ill health, loss of job, nancial emergency, or other excuses will be accepted for
late payment.
6. BAD-CHECK SERVICING CHARGE:
In the event Tenant’s check is dishonored and returned unpaid for any reason to Landlord, Tenant agrees
to pay a returned check charge of $25 AND accept whatever consequences there might be in making a
late payment. If for any reason a check is returned or dishonored, all future rent payments will be cash or
money order.
7. SECURITY DEPOSIT:
Tenants hereby agree to pay a security deposit of $685 to be refunded upon vacating, returning the keys to
the Landlord and termination of this contract according to other terms herein agreed. This deposit will be
held to cover any possible damage to the property. No interest will be paid on this money and in no case
will it be applied to back or future rent. It will be held intact by Landlord until at least thirty (30) working
days after Tenants have vacated the property. At that time Landlord will inspect the premises thoroughly
and assess any damages and/or needed repairs. This deposit money minus any necessary charges for
missing/dead light bulbs, repairs, cleaning, etc., will then be returned to Tenant with a written explanation
of deductions, within 60 days after they have vacated the property.
Teacher Resources for Consumer.gov | Developed for the FTC by the Center for Applied Linguistics
8. CLEANING FEE
Tenant hereby agrees to accept property in its present state of cleanliness. They agree to return the property
in the same condition or pay a $200.00 minimum cleaning fee if the Landlord has to have the property
professionally cleaned.
9. REMOVAL OF LANDLORD’S PROPERTY:
If anyone removes any property belonging to Landlord without the express written consent of the Landlord,
this will constitute abandonment and surrender of the premises by Tenant and termination by them of this
Rental Agreement. Landlord may also take further legal action.
10. VEHICLES & GARAGE USE:
Tenants agree to keep a maximum of 1 vehicle on premises or in the garage. These vehicles must be both
operable and currently licensed. Tenants agree to park their vehicles in assigned spaces and to keep those
spaces clean of oil drippings. Tenants agree not to park boats, recreational trailers, utility trailers, and the
like on the premises without rst obtaining Landlords’ written permission.
11. UTILITIES:
Resident will be responsible for payment of all utilities, telephone, gas, or other bills incurred during their
residency. They specically authorize Landlord to deduct amounts of unpaid bills from their Security
Deposits in the event they remain unpaid after termination of this agreement. The Landlord/Owner agrees
to only pay water, garbage, and sewer bills.
SERVICES. Landlord shall be responsible for the following utilities and services in connection with the
premises
- Water and sewer
- Garbage and trash disposal
Tenant shall be responsible for the following utilities and services in connection with the Premises:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Heating
- Telephone
- All other utilities and services not listed under the Landlords responsibility
Tenant acknowledges that Landlord has fully explained to the Tenant the utility rates, charges and services
for which Tenant will be required to pay (if any), other than those to be paid directly to the utility company
furnishing the service.
12. NOTIFICATION OF SERIOUS BUILDING PROBLEMS:
Tenant agrees to notify Landlord immediately if roof leaks, water spots appear on ceiling, or at the rst sign
of termite activity. Tenants also agree to notify the Owners immediately upon rst discovering any signs of
serious building problems such as foundation cracks, a tilting porch, a crack in plaster, buckling drywall or
siding, a spongy oor, a leaky water heater, etc. If the tenant does not notify landlord in a prompt matter the
tenant may be held nancially responsible.
Teacher Resources for Consumer.gov | Developed for the FTC by the Center for Applied Linguistics
13. PETS:
Pets are allowed on the premises only by obtaining the Landlords’ written permission rst. When
possession of the property is given to the Tenant, only those pets listed on the Rental Application will be
allowed unless subsequent written permission has been granted. “Pets” does not include animals trained
to serve the handicapped, such as seeing-eye dogs, hearing dogs, or service dogs. These animals may be
housed on the premises so long as they are in the direct service of those they were trained to serve and
so long as Landlord is notied in advance in writing of the circumstances. In any case, when permission
is granted, owners are required to pay an additional $25 per month pet-rent charge for one or more.
Additionally, a pet-application sheet must be submitted before move-in.
If problems with pets occur there are several ways it may be handled depending on the events. If the pet is
in any way dangerous it will not be allowed on the premises. In the event of the owner being negligent in
regards to clean-up or allowing access to areas that the pet could damage the tenant will be ned or money
will be taken from the deposit. If the pet is a nuisance in any way the landlord may make suggestions to
how the pet is cared for or may require the tenant to attend a training course to be approved by the landlord.
Pets are never to be allowed in the yard unsupervised. Cleaning up after the pet is necessary immediately
following defecation. Constant barking will not be permitted.
14. FULL DISCLOSURE:
The Tenants signing this Rental Contract hereby state that all questions about this Rental Agreement
have been answered, that they fully understand all the provisions of the agreement and the obligations
and responsibilities of each party, as spelled out herein. They further state that they agree to fulll
their obligations in every respect or suffer the full legal and nancial consequences of their actions
or lack of action in violation of this agreement. Signature by the Tenant on this Rental Agreement is
acknowledgement and he/she has received a signed copy of the Rental Agreement.
Accepted this __________________ day of ___________________, 20 ___ .
___________________________________________________ _____________
Tenant Date
___________________________________________________ _____________
Landlord-Manager Date
