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Free Lease Agreement Template

Generate a complete residential or commercial lease agreement with jurisdiction-specific clauses. Covers rent, security deposits, maintenance, and termination.

What is this contract?

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that defines the terms of a property rental. It covers rent amount, payment schedule, security deposit, maintenance responsibilities, and the conditions under which the lease can be terminated.

Lease agreements are among the most heavily regulated contracts — every jurisdiction has specific rules about security deposit limits, notice periods, habitability standards, and tenant rights. Using a generic template without jurisdiction awareness can leave landlords exposed to liability or tenants without proper protections.

This free lease agreement template generates a complete, jurisdiction-aware rental contract. Whether you are renting a residential apartment or a commercial office space, the agreement adapts to your specific situation and local regulations.

Key clauses included

Every generated agreement includes these professionally drafted clauses.

Premises Description

Identifies the property address, unit number, and any included amenities or parking spaces.

Rent and Payment Terms

Sets monthly rent amount, due date, accepted payment methods, grace period, and late fee structure.

Security Deposit

Covers deposit amount, holding requirements, interest obligations (where required), and return conditions.

Lease Duration and Renewal

Defines start and end dates, month-to-month conversion, renewal terms, and required notice periods.

Maintenance and Repairs

Allocates responsibility for routine maintenance, major repairs, and appliance servicing between landlord and tenant.

Use Restrictions

Specifies permitted use (residential vs. commercial), subletting policies, pet policies, and occupancy limits.

Entry and Access Rights

Defines when and how the landlord may enter the property, including required notice periods per local law.

Termination and Early Termination

Covers lease-end procedures, early termination fees, and breach-based termination rights for both parties.

When should you use this template?

Jurisdiction-aware generation

Lease agreements are heavily regulated at the state and local level. Security deposit limits, required disclosures (lead paint, mold, bed bugs), notice periods, and tenant rights vary dramatically. For example, California requires 21 days to return a security deposit, while Texas requires 30 days. Our generator applies jurisdiction-specific rules automatically.

View all supported jurisdictions

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Frequently asked questions

Is this lease template valid in my state?
The generator creates jurisdiction-aware leases that account for state and local regulations. Select your jurisdiction during generation to get clauses tailored to your specific location.
Does this cover both residential and commercial leases?
Yes. The template adapts based on property type. Commercial leases include additional clauses for build-out, common area maintenance (CAM), and permitted business use.
What about security deposit rules?
The generated lease includes jurisdiction-specific security deposit clauses — covering maximum amounts, holding requirements, interest rules, and return timelines required by your local law.
Can I add custom clauses to the lease?
Yes. After generation, you can edit the lease in the preview editor to add custom clauses, pet addendums, parking agreements, or any other provisions specific to your situation.
Is a verbal lease agreement enforceable?
In most jurisdictions, verbal leases are technically enforceable for terms under one year — but they are extremely difficult to enforce in practice. A written lease protects both parties and is always recommended.

Related resources

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contract.diy is a document preparation service, not a law firm. Generated contracts are templates for informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. We recommend having any contract reviewed by a qualified attorney before signing.