Residential Lease / Rental Agreement Template (Simple)

Rent a house or apartment: term, rent, security deposit, utilities, pets, maintenance and state-required landlord disclosures.

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Simple Full Plain-English Summary

Simple: a 1–2 page short form with just the core terms.

This template is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney in your state. Laws, required disclosures and signing formalities (witnesses, notarization, recording) vary by state and county.
E-Sign Auto is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

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1. Parties2. Details 1/33. Details 2/34. Details 3/3

Parties

Signing order: Landlord → Tenant. Each signer is invited after the previous one signs.

1. LandlordFull name *Email (to send the signing link)

2. TenantFull name *Email (to send the signing link)

Signature, date and name fields are added for every signer automatically.

Details 1/3

Agreement date *Landlord address for noticesRental property address (incl. unit)Other authorized occupants *Lease start date *Lease end date *

Details 2/3

Monthly rent ($) *Rent due day of month *How rent is paid *Late fee ($) *Grace period (days) *Security deposit ($) *

Details 3/3

Utilities paid by TenantPet policy *Parking *State/local landlord disclosures (deposit holding bank, lead paint, mold, etc.) [STATE-SPECIFIC]Governing state *County for venue [STATE-SPECIFIC] *

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Signature, initials (every page) and date fields are placed for each party. You can review and adjust them before sending.

Live preview

What the sections mean (plain English)

PREMISES: Identifies exactly what the document is about.
TERM: How long it lasts and how either side can end it.
RENT: How much is paid, when, and what happens if it's late.
SECURITY DEPOSIT: Money held up front and when it's returned or kept.
USE AND CONDUCT: What the property or item may and may not be used for.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS: Who fixes what, and who pays for it.
ENTRY: When the owner can come in and how much notice they must give.
ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING: Whether rights can be handed to someone else.
DISCLOSURES: Information the law may require one side to give the other; your state may require specific forms.
DEFAULT AND TERMINATION: How long it lasts and how either side can end it.
INSURANCE: Coverage each side must carry.
GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE: Which state's law applies and where any lawsuit must be filed.
SEVERABILITY: If a court strikes one clause, the rest still counts.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT: How this document can be changed later.
NOTICES: How the parties must officially contact each other.
COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES: E-signatures are valid and each party can sign separately.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: How disagreements get handled before anyone goes to court.
Optional clauses: Extra terms you can switch on or off in step 3. Leave them off if unsure.

How to use this Residential Lease / Rental Agreement template

Answer the guided questions. Your name and company fill in automatically from your profile.
Pick the governing state and complete the [STATE-SPECIFIC] blanks. Switch optional clauses on or off.
Check the live preview, then create the document. Signature, initial and date fields are placed for each party.
Review the fields and send. Each party signs in order, and everyone gets the signed PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Residential Lease / Rental Agreement template free?

Yes. You can fill it in, download it and send it for electronic signature with a free E-Sign Auto account.

Is an electronically signed Residential Lease / Rental Agreement legally binding?

In the U.S., the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws generally give e-signatures the same effect as handwritten ones. Check your state's rules.

Does this template work in my state?

It is a generic, state-neutral starting point. Pick your governing state and complete every blank marked [STATE-SPECIFIC]. This template is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Who signs, and in what order?

Landlord, then Tenant. Each signer gets a secure link in that order, with signature, initial and date fields already placed.