What is a rental agreement?

Answer 1

A rental agreement is an agreement signed by the landlord and tenant. The agreement must state the monthly rent, when it must be paid, any security deposit, the duration of the agreement and any restrictions or rules the landlord wishes to enforce as well as any rights that will accrue to the tenant. It should clearly state any deposit the tenant has already paid and what it is for (rent/security deposit). Rental agreements should contain any rights and obligations agreed upon by the parties.

Although an agreement to rent a premises can be oral it should be in writing to protect the rights and set forth the responsibilities of the parties.

Answer 2

If you are looking to rent a home or piece of property, it is essential that you understand the terms of your rental agreement. Often called a lease, this agreement is the binding contract between you and your landlord. It defines the terms of the agreement, and aims to protect both parties.

Key elements

Each rental agreement has specific terms that both parties must agree to. The first term is usually a length of time for the agreement to have effect. This varies in many cases; it can commonly last month-to-month, six months, one year or even many years, depending on the property type. Other terms include who is going to use the property, the monthly rent and utilities, when rent is due, deposit amounts and many more specifics.

What this means

When the rental agreement is in effect, the terms are not changeable unless both parties agree. This includes rent increases or changes to length. Tenants are obligated to follow the agreement, make monthly payments, and not vacate the property before the end of the length of the terms. The landlord is also required to honor the obligation. This includes keeping the property in good repair and up to safety codes.

Benefits

A rental agreement benefits both parties. The landlord has the stability of receiving monthly payments for the specified amount of time. This is helpful when they have other financial obligations to meet and need consistent income. It also protects the landlord in the event that tenants damage the property or vacate it. This agreement is the essential document to seek payment in a court setting. On the other hand, the tenant is also well protected. They have rights to inhabit a property during the lease, and that the property remains in the condition that was previously specified. This reduces unwanted surprises, such as no heat in the winter or increases in rent.

A rental agreement benefits both parties by protecting the landlord from property damage or non-payment of rent, and the tenant from poorly repaired and unsafe living conditions.

When choosing a place to rent, get a rental agreement. This protects both parties from harm in the event that the tenant-landlord relationship sours.