Writing a Lease That Protects You

The lease is your fallback

When everything is fine, the lease stays in a drawer. When something goes wrong, it is the only thing that matters. Write it for the bad day, not the good one.

The essentials

• Parties and premises. Who, what, and the exact unit.
• Term and rent. Start date, end date, amount, due date, and where it's paid.
• Security deposit. Amount, how it's held, and the conditions for return.
• Late fees and grace period. Defined, not improvised.
• Maintenance responsibilities. What you fix, what they fix.
• Use of the premises. Occupancy limits, no illegal activity, subletting rules.
• Entry notice. How and when you may enter — follow your state's law.
• Pets, smoking, alterations. State your policy clearly.

Clarity beats cleverness

Plain language holds up better than clever clauses. A tenant who understands the rule is more likely to follow it.

Get local help

Lease law is local. Have an attorney review your standard lease once. The few hundred dollars saves far more later. A template is a starting point, not a finished document.