Leases & Rentals - General FAQ

What are Leases and Rentals?

Leases and Rentals are legal documents that pertain to one party’s renting of a property of some sort from another party. In leases, the renting party is often known as the “Lessee” while the owning party is known as the “Lessor,” or in the case of commercial and residential property, “Tenant” and “Landlord.” In renting forms, the renter is simply known as the “Renter.”

Leases and Rentals are two sides of the same coin; in a lease, you’ll generally commit to a rental for a predetermined period of time. For example, in a Residential Lease Agreement, you’ll commonly be asked to make a commitment of 12 months of paying rent or more. In a Rental Agreement, the period through which you’re renting the property (such as a car) is more flexible.

What’s the difference between Leases and Rentals?

It’s important to remember that the type of property being rented out is not the sole difference. You can both rent and lease a car, for example. Generally, rentals will be taken for a shorter period of time than a lease; a lease typically represents a longer commitment of time and finances.

Because of those facts, the types of property handled by the different documents have certain tendencies. Leases tend to be used in the case of Residential or Commercial property – for example, renting out an office or an apartment for a year or more. Rental forms will be used for property that is not rented out for such a long period. For example, renting a moped to drive through a tourist attraction will not require that a lease be signed.

Additionally, each form will come with its own distinct provisions and responsibilities. When you lease, you generally assume some (but not all) risk connected with damage on the property. In short-term rentals, you’ll likely assume a greater amount of risk.

Why do I have to sign a lease? Why can’t I just rent something?

When you sign a lease, it typically represents a commitment that is like ownership, but is not in fact ownership. When you lease an apartment, for example, you assume responsibilities that you would not otherwise assume if you were simply “renting” one temporarily. You’ll be responsible for the maintenance of the property, for example. You’ll also have more freedom to use the apartment as you like, with certain limitations.

Is every rental, in fact, just a form of lease?

No, because the two types of agreements each have their own distinctions. Those distinctions are detailed in the answers above.

What kind of property can I lease?

Just about any type of property can be leased. Large property – such as commercial or residential property – can be leased. Smaller space – such as garage space – can also be leased. But you can also lease furniture, automobiles, charter boats, aircraft, etc. If there is someone out there with property that they are willing to lease to you, then you can likely find the lease you were looking for.

What kind of property can I rent?

Again, the options are virtually limitless. However, when you’re looking for long-term commitments on expensive pieces of property, you’ll likely be asked by the owner to sign a lease and not simply a rental form.

What kind of provisions should I watch out for when signing a lease?

Knowing what’s in a lease is all about knowing the property inside and out – and knowing your responsibilities while you use that property. For example, consider the fact that you’ll likely have to fill out an apartment checklist when moving into a new apartment. This checklist helps the owners know what condition the apartment started in so that they can compare it to the end of your lease and see how well you did maintaining the property. Understanding your responsibility to maintain property, as well as other limitations (for example, residential leases might not allow your pet) will be key in understanding whether or not you have a reasonable lease on your hands.

I’m renting some equipment while on vacation. Do I have to review the whole contract?

We recommend always reading everything you sign. But most businesses have standard rental forms that they’ll give you when you’re renting a piece of equipment – whether it’s an automobile or a jet-ski. It’s particularly important to review the whole contract when you’re dealing with a small business; the forms that large corporations use are far more likely to be considered “standard.”

When is a Lease or Rental form enforceable?

Both contracts will be enforceable once they’re validly signed. It’s important to pay attention to the dates listed on each form, however, to understand their enforceability better. For example, if you rented a car for one day and it was damaged the next day, it’s unlikely that your contract will be enforceable simply because the terms of that contract had already ended. Even so, each contract will continue to be enforceable in provisions that aren’t subject to the scheduling terms.

What are the requirements for a Lease or Rental form to be valid?

Both you and the company you’re renting/leasing from will have to sign the document in order for it to be valid. Generally, no witnesses will be required for these types of forms. You may have to initial certain provisions in order to prove that you approved of them. Other issues like your consent and willingness to sign along with consideration for both parties will be required to ensure that a valid contract has been signed.

When is a Lease or Rental form effective?

Rental forms are often effective from the moment they’re signed, since you will typically sign them at the outset of the rental period. A lease is also effective right away, but may be subject to date terms that outline a more specific period of time.

Because this period might not occur right after the contract signing, the effectiveness of a lease may hinge a bit on the terms it contains.

Leases & Rentals

• Commercial Lease Combo Packages

  Popular - Commercial Lease Combo Package which contains forms most often used when leasing commercial property. Included in this combo is a commercial lease agreement, sublease, lease assignment and inspection checklist for use when a commercial tenant moves in or out. This package also contains a commercial lease application.

• Equipment Lease Combo Packages

  Popular Equipment Lease Combo Package which contains forms most frequently used when leasing equipment. Included are a lease agreement and and an Office Equipment Lease Agreement. An Equipment Lease Assignment is also contained in the combo which will effectively assign any type of equipment lease.

• Lease Form Combo Packages

  Popular Lease Form Combo Packages which are specifically designed to provide you with an array of residential and commercial lease-related documents. These combos contain applications, agreements, leases, subleases, security deposit forms and other frequently used forms.These are some of our most popular forms

• Premier Residential Lease Combo Packages

  Popular - Premier Residential Lease Combo Packages which contain the forms most frequently used by landlords who rent residential property. This combo contains lease agreements (including extension and termination forms), consents to sublease and notices regarding lease defaults and intent to enter the leased property.

• Residential Lease Agreements

  Popular - Residential Lease Agreements which contain a variety of forms for use when renting residential property. Included are leases for a house, furnished or unfurnished apartments, room within a home or when leasing a residence on a month-to-month basis. A Sublease Agreement is also included.

• Residential Rental Applications

  Popular - Residential Rental Application which will ensure that a landlord has all relevant information about a prospective tenant before renting to them. This application requests information about the applicant and his/her spouse, prior rental history and credit, bank and personal references.

• Aircraft Lease Agreements

  Aircraft Lease Agreements for use when renting an aircraft to a private individual or company. This lease contains all relevant provisions including lease term, lease amount, uses for which the aircraft is leased and rights of inspection.

• Amendment to Lease

  Lease Amendment which will effectively amend an existing lease agreement. This form sets forth the exact provisions to be amended and those which will remain in effect.

• Charter Boat Rental Agreement

  Charter Boat Rental Agreement for use by a company or private owner when renting a charter boat. This form contains the terms of the arrangement including rental period, rental amount, navigation limits and restricted uses of the boat.

• Commercial Lease Agreements

  Commercial Lease Agreements for use when leasing commercial property. Included are lease and sublease forms, lease extension and termination agreements and an occupancy agreement. Applications are also included for commercial leases and subleases.

• Equipment Lease Agreements

  Equipment Lease Agreements for use when leasing or renting various types of equipment. These forms include an equipment lease agreement, lease amendment, lease extension and an agreement which will terminate an equipment lease. A form is also included for the lease of office equipment.

• Equipment Lease Assignment

  Equipment Lease Assignment for use when assigning an existing equipment lease to another party. This form sets out the specific terms including the parties, detailed description of the equipment and effective date of the assignment.

• Equipment Rentals

  Equipment Rental forms for use when renting various types of equipment. Included are rental forms for bicycles, boats, ATV's, costumes, personal watercraft and skates and surf boards. These rental forms clearly set forth all provisions relating to the rental including cost, rental term, condition of the rented item upon return, prohibited uses and assumption of all risks.

• Farm Lease Agreement

  Farm Lease Agreement for use by a landlord when renting property to a tenant for farming usage. This agreement sets forth all rental terms including amount of rent, rental period, alterations which may be made by tenant and the rights and obligations of both parties.

• Furniture Lease Agreement

  Furniture Lease Agreement for use when leasing furniture for residential or business purposes. This agreement sets out all specific terms and conditions of the lease including a description of the item, lease term, monthly payments and if the furniture can be purchased at the end of the lease period.

• Garage Lease Agreements

  Garage Lease Agreement between a garage owner and an individual who desires to rent the garage. This lease sets forth the amount of monthly rental payment, security deposit to be paid, use of the garage and remedies in the event of default of any lease provision.

• Landlord Consent to Sublease

  Landlord Consent to Sublease is used when a tenant desires to sublease a dwelling, such as a house or apartment, to another party and must have the consent of the landlord for the sublease to be valid. This consent sets forth the relevant provisions including names of the parties and is responsible for performance of the lease in the event of default.

• Landlord's Consent to Lease Assignment

  Landlord's Consent to Lease Assignment is for use when a tenant chooses to assign his/her dwelling lease to another party. This consent form includes the necessary provisions to gain the consent of the landlord including who will be responsible for any payments in the event of default of the lease.

• Lease Agreements

  Lease Agreement forms for use when leasing residential property. Included are month-to-month lease agreements, a lease for a room within a dwelling or home and a residential lease containing an option to purchase provision. These leases contain all important provisions including the amount of monthly rental, lease term, policies regarding utilities and pets and tenant's quiet enjoyment of the leased property.

• Lease Extension Agreement

  Lease Extension Agreements in both English and Spanish. These agreements will effectively extend a lease and sets forth all provisions surrounding the lease extension and any lease terms that will remain the same. Lease extensions are often used in lieu of signing a new lease.

• Lease Termination Agreement

  Lease Termination Agreement designed to effectively terminate an existing lease. This agreement sets out the specifics about the termination, including the payment of any termination fees and lease provisions which may continue after the lease termination.

• Mobile Home Leases and Agreements

  Mobile Home Leases and Agreements for use by an owner or landlord when leasing a mobile home. This lease agreement sets out detailed provisions including the lease term, amount of monthly rent and tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises.

• Mobile Home Lot Lease Agreement

  Mobile Home Lot Lease Agreement is for use by a landlord when renting a mobile home lot to a tenant. This agreement sets forth the specific location of the lot, rent, lease term and duties of both the tenant and the mobile home park owner.

• Move-In and Move-Out Inspection Checklist

  This Move-In and Move-Out Inspection Checklist will clearly document the condition of a rental property before tenants move in and when they vacate the premises. This comprehensive checklist documents the condition of appliances, walls, floor coverings and landscape and will assist a landlord in deciding whether a tenant's security deposit should be returned.

• Notices

  Notices which are related to landlord and tenant matters. These forms include the popular notice to quit, a notice to vacate and notice given by a landlord when intending to enter leased premises. Also included are notices of lease assignment or termination and a notice given to tenant to remedy a breach of lease.

• Office Lease Agreement

  Office Lease Agreement for use by a landlord when leasing an unfurnished office to a tenant. This form sets out all detailed terms including the amount of rental payments, lease term, remedies in the event of default and insurance requirements of both parties.

• Personal Property Rental Agreements

  Personal Property Rental Agreements for use by individuals who desire to rent personal propert (such as tools, furniture, appliances or clothing articles) to others. These agreements contain all relevant provisions including a brief description of the property, term of rental, rental amount and if the rental agreement can be terminated. These agreements cover both complex and simple rental transactions.

• Photo Studio Rental Agreement

  Photo Studio Rental Agreement between a studio and a photographer. This agreement sets out the specific terms of the arrangement including the term, rental amount and equipment the studio will furnish. It also sets out the studio's liability while rented by the photographer.

• Receipts

  Receipts designed for use in renting or leasing property. Included are receipts for security deposits and monthly rent which contain the date and amount paid. These receipts will serve as proof that certain payments were made by a tenant.

• Residential or Commercial Lease Assignment

  Residential or Commercial Lease Assignments which will effectively assign an existing lease. These assignment forms contain the relevant terms including indemnification of the present tenant, assumption of rights and obligations under the lease and any fees paid for the lease assignment.

• Roommate Agreements

  Roommate Agreement will clearly set forth the mutual understandings and expectations of roommates. This agreement sets out many important provisions such as responsibility for rent and utility payments, household chores, rules about guests and pet policies. It also sets forth how the agreement can be terminated by either party.

• Salon Station Lease Agreements

  Salon Station Lease Agreement for use by a salon owner who rents out stations within a salon. This agreement sets forth the amount of rental (whether weekly or monthly), security deposit, salon equipment which may be utilized by the renter and remedies if the renter defaults on the lease terms.

• Security Deposit Demand Letter

  This Security Deposit Demand Letter is for use by a tenant when demanding that a landlord return a security deposit. This letter sets out that all lease obligations were fulfilled, that the premises suffered no damage and that the tenant is entitled to the immediate return of the security deposit.

• Spanish Forms

  Spanish Forms for use by landlord and tenants. These forms include lease agreements, a rental application and notices regarding security deposits. Also included are a letter which gives notice that monthly rent will be increased.

• Storage Lease Agreements

  Storage Lease Agreements between the owner of a storage space and an individual who desires to rent a space. These agreements set out the specific terms including rental amount, security deposit and term of rental. Included are agreements for fixed and month to month rental terms and a property storage lease agreement.

• Student Off-Campus Housing Agreement

  Student Off-Campus Housing Agreement between a student who opts to live off-campus and a college or university who agrees to provide this housing. This form includes the fees for the housing, its term and reasons why the agreement can be terminated.

• Studio / Venue Rental Agreement

  Studio or Venue Rental Agreement for use when renting a studio or venue to an individual or company. This agreement sets out the specific terms including the rental term, amount of rent and rights to use the venue's image, stage and signage. It also specifies who is responsible for any damages during the rental period.

• Truck Lease Agreement

  Truck Lease Agreement for use by a company when renting a truck for a specific period of time. This form sets out the specifics of the lease including a vehicle description, payments and lease period. It also specifies any insurance requirements which must be met.

• Vacation Property Rental Agreements

  Vacation Property Rental Agreements for use by owners who desire to lease or rent their vacation property. This agreement sets out information about reserving the property, check-in and check-out procedures, rental and security deposit fees and renter's quiet enjoyment of the property while renting.

• Warehouse Lease Agreement

  Warehouse Lease Agreement between a landlord and a tenant who desires to lease a warehouse space or a stand-alone warehouse. This agreement spells out the the amount of monthly rent, lease terms, insurance requirements and rights and obligations of all parties.