{"id":369281,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/the-top-ten-lease-terms-to-you-should-have-when-renting.html"},"modified":"2023-09-22T11:53:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T16:53:18","slug":"the-top-ten-lease-terms-to-you-should-have-when-renting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/the-top-ten-lease-terms-to-you-should-have-when-renting.html","title":{"rendered":"The Top 10 Lease Terms You Should Have When Renting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Top 10 Lease Terms You Should Have When Renting<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A rental or lease agreement<\/a> is the foundation of the landlord-tenant relationship. Whether you are contemplating a commercial lease or a residential lease, specific terms should be in every written lease you create or sign. These terms help protect the landlord\/property owner and the new tenant.<\/p>\r\n

This article outlines the top 10 lease terms you should include in a rental agreement. This list is not a substitute for legal advice.<\/p>\r\n

1. Names<\/h2>\r\n

Ensure the lease identifies the lessee (tenant) and the lessor (landlord). Identify every adult, including roommates, living in the rental unit on the lease. Getting every tenant’s signature makes each tenant fully responsible<\/a> for the lease terms. This means you can collect the total rent due from any of the renters and terminate the entire lease if one of the tenants violates the material terms of the lease.<\/p>\r\n

2. Amount of Rent<\/h2>\r\n

Spell out the exact amount of rent due each month.<\/p>\r\n

Include:<\/p>\r\n