Landlord-Tenant: Terms of a Lease Lawyers
LegalMatch Law Library Managing Editor, Ken LaMance, Attorney at Law 
Terms of the Landlord and Tenant Relationship
A lease or rental agreement is a contract that sets the terms of the relationship between the landlord and tenant. Your lease should contain terms covering the following issues:
- Duration: How long the rental agreement will be enforceable. Leases are often for six month to one year, and rental agreements are often only month to month.
- Rent: The amount of rent paid per month, when the rent must be paid, and what happens if the rent is not paid within a certain amount of days of the due date.
- Terms of Use: The agreement should state whether pets are allowed in the building, and enumerate the restriction on use. Most leases state that excessive noise and illegal activities are not permitted. Leases may also prohibit certain items, such as waterbeds or barbeques.
- Occupancy: The agreement should state the maximum number of occupants permitted in the unit. Many leases also place a time limit on how long an overnight guest may stay.
- Landlord Entry: The lease or rental agreement should lay out the requirements for the landlord to enter the unit. Landlords must give notice to the tenant prior to entering the unit. Landlords may also reserve the right of entry for maintenance and gardening.
- Security Deposit: The agreement should state the amount of the security deposit. The document should also state how the landlord may use the deposit, for example to make repairs. Finally, the document should state how the deposit will be refunded to the tenant.
- Payment of Utilities: The agreement should enumerate which utilities the tenant must pay for. Many landlords cover water and trash disposal, but electricity and telephone are usually left to the tenant to pay.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you are in a dispute with a tenant or landlord over a lease or rental agreement, a real estate lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and remedies and provide legal information..
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Last Modified: 10-10-2008 10:06 AM PDT
