Lease agreement template

Free lease agreement template in Docusign

Whether it's leasing out an apartment or renting out a room, Docusign offers free lease agreement templates that you can edit online and sign electronically.

Our lease agreement template is free, customizable, and outlines essential rental terms such as monthly rent, lease duration, security deposits, and tenant responsibilities. You can easily personalize the details and review all the terms to make the agreement fit your needs.

Once you’ve edited the template, you can share the document via Docusign envelope to the recipients who need to review the information and sign the agreement. Once the lease agreement has been signed, you’ll be able to securely access the completed agreement in your Docusign account - and you can still download and print out a hard copy if needed.

What is a lease agreement?

A lease agreement is a legally-enforceable contract establishing a rental arrangement between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the obligations and responsibilities of both parties concerning the use of a property for a specified period.

What is included in a lease agreement?

While lease agreements often follow a common structure, the specific terms can vary by state due to local landlord-tenant laws and disclosure requirements. A well-drafted lease typically includes details like rent terms, lease duration, security deposit conditions, and property rules. These elements provide legal protection and help prevent misunderstandings between the landlord and tenant.

The following are the basic requirements that should be included in a lease agreement:

Basic lease agreement requirements

• Identify the parties: Clearly state the landlord and tenant(s) involved in the lease.

• Property description: Provide a detailed description of the leased property, including the physical address.

• Lease term: Specify the duration of the lease, including the start and end dates.

• Rent details: State the rent amount, when it is due, acceptable payment methods, and any fees for late payment.

• Security deposit: State the amount of the security deposit, conditions for getting it back, and any reasons deductions may be taken from it.

• Maintenance and repairs: Explain who is responsible for maintenance and repairs, including who is responsible for specific tasks and how to request repairs.

• Use of property: Specify permitted and prohibited use of the property (like subletting or using the property as a place of business).

• Utilities and other expenses: Clarify who is responsible for paying utilities and other expenses.

• Termination conditions: Termination clauses are important because they explain the myriad of ways how either party can end the lease, including notice requirements such as whether notice must be given in writing and how much advance notice is needed. They protect both parties from unexpected early departures, ensure proper planning, help avoid legal or financial penalties and allows tenants and landlords to exit the agreement fairly and with clear expectations.

• Signatures: Both parties must sign the lease agreement to indicate they’ve read and consent to the terms.

Additional lease agreement clauses

The following additional sections are not required, but depending on the property and specific situations, may be included: 

• Pet policies: States whether pets are permitted, maximum number of pets, any restricted types of animals, and amount of pet deposit, if any.

• Noise restrictions: Explains policy regarding noise on property.

• Alterations and improvements: Conditions for tenants to alter or improve the property and process for obtaining landlord approval.

• Access to premises: Provides landlord rights to enter the property for specific purposes and includes notice requirements. Check your state’s laws to find out how much advance notice a landlord must give before entering the rental property.

The common types of lease agreements

Lease agreements can vary in format and content depending on the property type, location, and legal requirements.. If you need a specific type of lease agreement, explore the specialized rental templates available in the Docusign Template Gallery. Whether it's a short-term rental, sublease, or commercial property lease, there’s a template designed to align with your specific needs and comply with applicable laws and regulations; making it easy to adapt to your unique rental contact type.

• Month-to-Month Lease Agreement: A lease that renews automatically each month until either the landlord or tenant provides notice to terminate the agreement. The terms can be modified each month upon notice.

• Residential Lease Agreement: A lease agreement specifically for a residential property, such as a house or apartment, outlining the terms and conditions for tenants to live in the property.

• Sublease Agreement: A template used when a tenant wishes to rent out a portion or all of their leased property to another individual, known as a subtenant. The original tenant remains responsible for the lease obligations to the landlord. Download our free sublease agreement template.

• Commercial Restaurant Lease: A template specifically designed for leasing a commercial space intended for use as a restaurant, which may include specific clauses related to equipment, licenses, and regulations.

• Commercial Lease Agreement: A lease agreement for any non-residential property used for business purposes. This can include office spaces, retail stores, warehouses, and other commercial properties. Keep in mind that there are different types of commercial lease agreements, too.