The Basics of Leases and Rental Agreements

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Preparing a State Specific Lease or Rental Agreement

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Learn the difference between a lease and rental agreement, how to set key terms and policies regarding roommates, pets and other issues, and find the best rental forms.

Overview of Leases and Rental Agreements

Leases and Rental Agreements FAQ
What you need to know to create a legally valid lease or rental agreement.

Ten Terms to Include in Your Lease or Rental Agreement
What should be included in every lease or rental agreement.

Whether to Use a Lease or Rental Agreement
And why a handshake shouldn't seal the deal between landlords and tenants.

Tenant Rights and Roommates

Useful articles on tenant rights when it comes to leases and roommates.

Adding a Roommate to the Lease or Rental Agreement
Get your landlord's approval before a new person moves in.

Renting a House or Apartment With Roommates
Learn to avoid disputes among roommates or with the landlord.

Pets and Rental Properties

Smart Landlord Policies for Pet-Friendly Rentals
A pet agreement can reduce a landlord's risks in a pet-friendly building. Here's what to include in the agreement.

Pets Caught in Foreclosure -- Landlords Can Help
Landlords can help foreclosed-upon families by accepting tenants with pets -- it's good for business if you follow some simple steps to protect yourself.

Every Dog's Legal Guide
Get the nose-to-tail guide to barking, biting, leash laws, traveling regulations and more.

Questions on Signing a Lease or Rental Agreement

What does "last month's rent" really mean?

Can I evict a tenant to rent the place to my daughter?

Can I put tenants' security deposits in my checking account?

Are tenants entitled to a rent receipt?

How do I enforce my 'no pets' policy?

How do I divide damages between departing cotenants?

Can my tenant break the lease just because of noise from upstairs?

How do I kick out one roommate but not the other?

Shouldn't the apartment have been cleaned before we moved in?

Nolo Books With Leases and Rental Agreements

Every Landlord's Legal Guide
Rent out your residential property with this all-in-one legal guide.

Leases & Rental Agreements
Establish a solid contractual agreement with your tenant.

The California Landlord's Law Book
Since 1985, The California Landlord's Law Book has been the reliable legal guide for California landlords, with everything you need to know.

Nolo Lease and Rental Agreement Forms

Fixed-Term Residential Lease
Get everything you need to create a fair and legal fixed-term residential lease.

Month-to-Month Residential Rental Agreement
Create a residential month-to-month rental agreement with this form.

Residential Lease Cosigner Agreement, Landlord's Version
Use Nolo's Residential Lease Cosigner Agreement, Landlord's Version to create a favorable agreement that's powerful enough to protect you and your landlording business and legally valid for the life of the lease.

Consent to Assignment of Residential Lease
If your landlord won't release you from a lease, your best bet is to assign it to the next tenant. This form helps you do so -- use this form to turn over the remainder of your lease to someone else.