Guide to Making a Solid Lease Agreement For Your Rental Property

Key Takeaways

• Start with a reliable template: You don’t need to write a lease from scratch—using a jurisdiction-specific template saves time and ensures you include legally relevant clauses.
• Include all essential details: A strong lease clearly outlines critical information like tenant names, property address, rent amount, payment rules, lease term, and signatures to ensure accountability.
• Set clear rules and policies: Go beyond basics by defining expectations around deposits, maintenance, occupancy limits, subletting, house rules, shared spaces, and early termination to prevent disputes.
• Review and proofread carefully: A polished, error-free lease improves professionalism and helps avoid confusion, reinforcing trust and clarity between landlord and tenant.

If you’re thinking about renting out a property, you should first learn how to write a solid lease agreement. Rental properties are great long-term investments, letting you grow your wealth and equity over time, while also allowing you to make a profit month over month.

However, like any other kind of investment, they come with some risks, including property and squatters. That’s why every landlord should know how to write a strong lease agreement.

A lease is meant to serve as a code of conduct for renters, telling them what they can and cannot do in the unit. Additionally, a well-written lease will provide clear rules and policies, preventing common misunderstandings and disputes. This can be the difference between a successful investment and a major headache.

Want to learn more? In this guide, the experts at Keyrenter Marietta will go over the top tips for writing better, stronger lease agreements.

1. Use a Template

Many landlords suffer from blank-page syndrome, unsure how to start drafting their leases. The good news is that you don’t have to write your lease from scratch! There are plenty of templates you can choose from online.

Ideally, find a template tailored to your jurisdiction. This way, all you’ll have to do is tweak or add in the specifics for your rental.

2. Write Down Key Information

You can identify a strong lease agreement based on its contents, not the way it was written. The more detailed a lease is, the better. That’s why you should make sure your lease includes key information to properly rent out your Marietta rental. Include the following:

• Names of all parties: Every renter over 18 should be included in the lease. Otherwise, they won’t be held liable for the terms and conditions of the tenancy.
• Payment policies: Make sure to write down the rent price and the due date. Additionally, make sure to specify what payment methods are allowed and whether there are any late fees tenants should be aware of.
• Lease term: If you want to avoid squatters and holdover tenancies, you must ensure your lease specifies the tenancy’s start and end dates. This way, you’ll be able to easily evict any tenants who break the lease.
• Signatures: When renters sign a lease, they’re committing to following its terms and conditions.

3. Write Down Important Rules and Policies

While every lease should include key information about the tenancy (such as duration and price of rent), that’s not enough. Well-written leases often include a series of rules and policies tenants must follow.

Here are some examples:

• Security Deposit Rules: To avoid misunderstandings and disputes down the line, it’s best to be upfront about the potential security deposit deductions. This way, tenants won’t be surprised when deductions are made.

• Maintenance Duties: Your lease should clearly outline tenants’ maintenance responsibilities, as well as the procedure for submitting maintenance or repair requests.

• Occupancy Limits: If building codes limit the number of people who can live in the unit, make sure to specify this in the lease. This will help you avoid overcrowding and ensure compliance with building and zoning codes.

• Subletting: If you don’t allow subletting, clearly say so in the lease. On the contrary, if you allow subletting, make sure to outline the rules and conditions for it.

• House Rules: Write clauses for any specific house rules you can think of. This could include pet policies, noise regulation, and smoking policies.

• Rules for Shared Areas: If you own a multi-family home or apartment building, then you need to include clear rules for the use of shared spaces. This includes shared gardens, playgrounds, parking areas, and even in-unit laundry spaces.  

• Early Lease Termination: Make sure your lease clarifies whether you allow tenants to break the lease early. If so, outline the conditions for ending the lease, as well as any fees tenants must cover for doing so.

• Mandatory Disclosures: Landlords in the US must disclose key information about the property and its management. Make sure to research your local rental laws to make sure you’re making the necessary disclosures.

4. Proofread Your Lease

Once you’ve finished writing your lease, it’s time to review it. Proofread it as many times as possible and, if possible, run it through a spell-checker.

While grammar and spelling mistakes won’t turn your lease void, they can affect tenants’ perception of you. Instead, a well-written lease will make you seem like a more professional landlord.

Bottom Line

If you’re a landlord or are thinking about becoming one, then you should take some time to learn how to write solid lease agreements. After all, a lease is one of the best defences landlords have against common problems, such as property damage, unpaid rent, and holdover tenancies.

By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to protect your investment and set the foundation for a smoother rental experience. 

If you need help writing or proofreading a lease agreement for a Merietta rental, hire Keyrenter Marietta. Our team of experts will help you ensure your investment is protected.