{"id":369281,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/the-top-ten-lease-terms-to-you-should-have-when-renting.html"},"modified":"2026-09-25T11:53:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T16:53:00","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 Landlords Should Include in a Lease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">The Top 10 Lease Terms Landlords Should Include in a Lease<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/natalie-moritz\/\">Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/katrina-wilson-esq\/\">Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            September 25, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li>Clear lease terms give tenants and landlords a shared roadmap, but people often still have questions about what happens when life changes mid\u2011lease.<\/li>\n<li>Breaking a lease isn\u2019t one\u2011size\u2011fits\u2011all. State laws, contract language, and personal circumstances can all impact your options.<\/li>\n<li>Getting legal guidance can help renters understand their rights, especially when early termination or unusual situations come into play.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"fl-rich-text\">\n<p>A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/rental-lease-agreements.html\">rental or lease agreement<\/a> is the foundation of the landlord-tenant relationship. Whether you are considering a commercial or residential lease, every written lease you create or sign should include specific terms. These terms help protect the property owner and the new tenant.<\/p>\n<p>This article outlines the top 10 lease terms landlords and rental property owners should include in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/rental-lease-agreements.html\">rental agreement<\/a>. Knowing these important terms can protect your rental income, minimize liability, and help you run a profitable business.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Successful landlords often have professional legal help on their side. Whether it&#8217;s reviewing contracts and leases, advising on rent amounts, or navigating evictions, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/landlord-tenant\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an experienced attorney<\/a> can be a valuable asset to your real estate investment business.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Names<\/h2>\n<p>Ensure the lease identifies the lessee (tenant) and the lessor (landlord). Identify every adult, including roommates, living in the rental unit on the lease. Having every tenant sign makes each tenant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/parties-to-a-lease.html\">fully responsible<\/a> for the lease terms. This means you can collect the full rent from any tenant and terminate the entire lease if one tenant violates a material term.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Amount of Rent<\/h2>\n<p>Spell out the exact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/rent-security-deposits.html\">amount of rent<\/a> due each month.<\/p>\n<p>Include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acceptable forms of payment<\/li>\n<li>Where to send rent payments<\/li>\n<li>Whether any grace period exists<\/li>\n<li>Any fees for late payments<\/li>\n<li>Any rent increases (for example, rent may increase after a year if the tenant goes to a month-to-month lease)<\/li>\n<li>If the property has rent control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Owning a rental property is your business, and you rely on rental income to cover your expenses and turn a profit. A small business attorney can help you determine appropriate rents, navigate state and local laws, and stay profitable. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/business-commercial-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find local legal help.<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>3. Lease Terms<\/h2>\n<p>The proper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/landlord-tenant-dictionary.html\">real estate terminology<\/a> depends on the state and local laws, but generally:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rental agreements are usually short-term or month-to-month<\/li>\n<li>A standard lease is for more extended periods (six months or one year)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-month-by-month-lease-and-a-fixed.html\">specific about the period<\/a>. Without a specified lease period, state common law defines the lease agreement. The lease should have a definite end date or a deadline for the renter to renew the lease.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Deposits and Late Fees<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/rent-and-security-deposit-tips.html\">Security deposits<\/a> and extra fees are two commonly disputed items between landlords\/property managers and tenants.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to defining the amount of the deposit, also include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Any nonrefundable fees (such as cleaning fees)<\/li>\n<li>Procedures for returning the deposit after move-out<\/li>\n<li>What constitutes normal wear and tear vs. real damage<\/li>\n<li>Penalties for unpaid rent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>State laws govern security deposits. State laws also define maximum amounts and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/security-deposit-return-timelines.html\">time periods<\/a> for returning the deposit. Security deposits are often equal to one month&#8217;s rent.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Right to Entry<\/h2>\n<p>Identify when and under what conditions the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/requirements-for-landlord-entry.html\">landlord can enter<\/a>\u00a0the tenant&#8217;s rental unit. Be sure your lease terms comply with state law. Most state laws require proper written notice at least one day in advance.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Maintenance and Repairs<\/h2>\n<p>Both the landlord and the tenant have responsibilities to maintain the premises. Spell out the obligations of both parties. Tenants typically have a duty to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep the premises clean<\/li>\n<li>Repair any damage caused by neglect or abuse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/is-my-landlord-responsible-for-repairs.html\">Landlords usually have a responsibility to<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintain a livable property throughout the tenancy<\/li>\n<li>Complete necessary repairs to damage not caused by the tenant (such as repairing a leaky roof or fixing a heater)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the lease, you should clarify that the tenant must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/landlords-duties-regarding-repairs-maintenance-and-to-provide.html\">contact the landlord for repairs<\/a> as soon as they become aware of a problem. Include the landlord&#8217;s contact information to ensure repairs are completed promptly.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Occupancy Limits<\/h2>\n<p>Ensure that your agreement specifies whether the tenant can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/what-is-the-difference-between-subleasing-and-reletting.html\">sublease the property<\/a>. If not, tenants can sublet without permission. But with the proper terms in place, subletting without permission gives the landlord grounds to terminate the agreement before the end of the lease.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Pet Policy<\/h2>\n<p>Specify whether the property <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/noise-and-pet-restrictions.html\">allows pets<\/a>. If so, carefully spell out the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The number of pets allowed in each rental unit<\/li>\n<li>Prohibited breeds, if any<\/li>\n<li>The tenant&#8217;s responsibility to keep both the rental and surrounding areas clean<\/li>\n<li>Procedures for dealing with any other animal-related issues, such as noise complaints from neighbors<\/li>\n<li>Whether you require pet rent or an additional pet deposit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>9. Disruptive and Illegal Behavior<\/h2>\n<p>Restrict specific disruptive and illegal activity from your tenants. If you don&#8217;t, other tenants may have justifiable grounds to terminate their agreements based on that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/how-does-the-landlord-terminate-the-lease-for-cause.html\">tenant&#8217;s offensive behavior<\/a>. To prevent this, spell out all unacceptable behavior, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excessive noise<\/li>\n<li>Large parties or pool parties<\/li>\n<li>Drug dealing<\/li>\n<li>Underage drinking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ensure prospective tenants know of these prohibited actions and that they are grounds for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/rules-for-landlords-and-property-managers-when-evicting-a-tenant.html\">lease termination and eviction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>An eviction gone wrong can harm your business and your bottom line. Evicting a tenant is a legal process that must be done carefully and correctly to avoid liability and other legal issues. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/landlord-tenant\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find local legal help.<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>10. Miscellaneous Terms and Restrictions<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/state-by-state-chart-of-landlord-and-tenant-laws.html\">State law<\/a> will define many other terms to include in a lease or rental agreement. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Early termination policies<\/li>\n<li>Subletting rights<\/li>\n<li>Flood and chemical disclosures<\/li>\n<li>Anti-discrimination notices<\/li>\n<li>Use of common areas<\/li>\n<li>Move-in date<\/li>\n<li>Whether tenants can run a business from the property<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Before You Sign a Lease: Get Legal Help<\/h2>\n<p>Landlord-tenant laws can be complex. You can use a template to draft different types of leases, but an experienced\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/landlord-tenant\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">landlord-tenant attorney<\/a>\u00a0can help you understand your legal rights. They can also prepare a written agreement that does not infringe on tenant rights. Contact a landlord-tenant attorney who can help you carefully draft your lease agreement and protect your rental property.<\/p>\n<p>FindLaw\u2019s directory of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/landlord-tenant\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">landlord-tenant lawyers<\/a> can connect you with qualified legal help near you. Because state law is relevant, your attorney should be licensed in the state where the rental unit is. Enter your city or ZIP code for a list of legal professionals in your area. Your search results will also show important details about prospective attorneys, like ratings, areas of practice, and whether they offer free consultations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g 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          class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney&#8217;s expertise is helpful for all types of lega contracts, including lease agreements\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Some tenant or neighbor disputes may need the help of local police\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex real estate issues (such as construction defects or illegal landlord actions) may need a lawyer&#8217;s help\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Buying or selling a home, facing foreclosure, or landlord-tenant issues can benefit from legal expertise. 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Find the top 10 terms to include at FindLaw.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":369187,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","_cf_multicollab_revision_bundle":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["Content Word Count","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned"]},"categories":[2741],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-369281","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-realestate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369281"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":413945,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369281\/revisions\/413945"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/369187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369281"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=369281"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=369281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}