This RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT FOR _____________ (hereinafter the "Agreement") is entered into on ______________________, by and between _____________ (hereinafter "Landlord") and (hereinafter "Tenant") (Each a "Party" to this Agreement and collectively the "Parties").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Landlord manages certain real property situated at _____________, _____________, _____________ _____________ (hereinafter referred to as the "Premises"). Landlord's business address is _____________, _____________, _____________ _____________.

WHEREAS, The Parties desire that Tenant rent the Premises from Landlord upon the terms and conditions as contained herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and obligations contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. TERM. This Agreement is for the renting of the above-described Premises Tenant may take possession prior to the beginning of the term only upon receiving prior consent from Landlord.
2. RENT. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord rent in the amount of due The first rental payment will be due on _____________. All rental payments will be made as set forth below on or before the due date and without notice, demand, setoff, or abatement. Please be advised that any payments lost in the mail or otherwise late by no fault of Landlord will be treated as if unpaid until received. Landlord will receive any payments due under this Agreement at the following location(s):
   
   
3. PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED. Landlord reserves the right to change the payment methods accepted at any time by giving notice to Tenant. Landlord accepts payment of any amounts that may become due under this Agreement by the following methods of payment:
4. KEYS. Landlord may charge Tenant a reasonable, nonrefundable lost key fee for each key lost by Tenant that Landlord must replace during or at the termination of the tenancy.
5. KEEPING ANIMALS. Tenant may not keep any animals on the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. Any nonrefundable pet fee received by Landlord, if applicable, will be used upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement for the purposes of cleaning or repairing damage caused by a pet in the unit or Common Areas of the Premises. The rules in this paragraph may be changed at a later time by written agreement between Landlord and Tenant.
6. SMOKING POLICY. No smoking of any substance is allowed on the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. Smoking in Common Areas is permitted only if posted signage creating designated smoking areas is present.
7. CONDITION AND USE OF PREMISES; OCCUPANTS. Tenant represents and warrants that Tenant has examined the Premises and, at the time of this Agreement, found them to be in good order, repair, and in a safe, clean, and tenantable condition. The Premises may only be used and occupied by Tenant as a private single family dwelling, and no part of the Premises may be used at any time during the term of this Agreement by Tenant for the purpose of carrying on any commercial enterprise without Landlord's prior written consent. Tenant may not allow any person who is not Tenant or Tenant's immediate family member to stay upon the Premises for more than 10 days per month without written consent of Landlord. Tenant may not use the Premises for any unlawful or hazardous activities. Tenant must comply with any and all laws, ordinances, rules, and orders of all governmental authorities affecting the use and occupancy of the Premises.
8. ASSIGNMENT, SUB-LETTING, AND RELEASE. Tenant may not assign this Agreement or sub-let or grant any license to use the Premises or any part thereof without the prior written consent of Landlord. Consent by Landlord to one such assignment, sub-letting, or license will not be deemed to be consent to any subsequent assignment, sub-letting, or license. An assignment, sub-letting, or license without the prior written consent of Landlord or an assignment or sub-letting by operation of law will be absolutely null and void and will, at Landlord's option, terminate this Agreement.
9. ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. Tenant will make no alterations to the buildings or improvements on the Premises or construct any building or make any other improvements on the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord.
10. NON-DELIVERY OF POSSESSION. In the event Landlord cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant upon the commencement of the rental term, through no fault of Landlord or its agents, then Landlord or its agents will have no liability, but the rental payments herein provided will abate until possession is given. Landlord or its agents will have 30 days to give possession, and if possession is tendered within such time, Tenant agrees to accept the demised Premises and pay the rent due starting from the date possession is tendered. In the event that possession cannot be delivered within such time, through no fault of Landlord or its agents, then this Agreement and all rights hereunder will terminate.
11. TENANT CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Unless otherwise stated, Tenant will, at its sole expense, keep and maintain the Premises in good and sanitary condition and repair during this Agreement and any renewal thereof. Excessive damage to the Premises by Tenant, invitees, agents, or guests is grounds for Landlord to evict Tenant. Tenant's responsibilities include, without limitation, the following items, and any departure therefrom requires Landlord's prior written consent:
1. Keeping all windows, glass, window coverings, doors, locks and hardware in good, clean order and repair
2. Not building any fires or using grills on the Premises except in areas designated for such purposes by Landlord
3. Not obstructing or covering the windows or doors
4. Not tampering or disabling any smoke detectors installed on the Premises, and contacting Landlord for instructions on how to proceed should any smoke detectors become disabled or need new batteries
5. Not altering, rekeying, or installing any locks on the Premises, or painting or wallpapering the Premises
6. Not using or possessing any liquid-filled furniture, including, but not limited to, waterbeds and aquariums, on the Premises
7. Not permitting waste matter of any kind to accumulate on the Premises or in the Common Areas
8. Keeping all air conditioning filters on the Premises clean and free from dirt and debris
9. Keeping all lavatories, sinks, toilets, and all other water and plumbing apparatus in good order and repair and using the same only for the purposes for which they were constructed
10. Maintaining order at all times and at all places on the Premises and Common Areas, and not making or permitting others to make any loud or improper noises, disturb other tenants, or otherwise create a nuisance by interfering with the quiet enjoyment of other tenants or those in the surrounding area
11. Notifying Landlord of any damage or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Premises or property furnished by Landlord
12. Keeping all radios, television sets, stereos, etc., turned down to a level of sound that does not annoy or interfere with other tenants or persons on adjacent properties
13. Making all requests concerning security devices in writing
14. Abiding by any and all rules and regulations affecting the Premises or the Common Areas appurtenant thereto that may be adopted or promulgated by Landlord or other entity having authority over the Property
12. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR; LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES. In addition to any responsibilities required by law, Landlord agrees to maintain the Premises in a safe and habitable condition; facilitate making any repairs required in order for the Premises to be in compliance with applicable housing codes, with such costs being borne by Landlord unless the repairs were necessitated by the negligence or intentional acts of Tenant; and maintain, repair, and replace, whenever necessary, the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems of the Common Areas.
13. TENANT'S RIGHT TO WITHHOLD RENT; OTHER REMEDIES. Where a repair is the responsibility of Landlord, Tenant must notify Landlord with a written notice stating what item needs servicing or repair. Tenant must give Landlord a reasonable opportunity to service or repair said item. Tenant acknowledges that rent will not be withheld unless a written notice has been served on Landlord at the appropriate location, giving Landlord a reasonable time to fix said item, and Tenant has otherwise complied with all applicable procedures required under state law. Under no circumstances may Tenant withhold rent unless said item constitutes a substantial breach of the warranty of habitability. Reasonable notice will in no case be less than 30 days, but in emergency situations, Tenant will provide notice as soon as possible. Tenant may have other remedies available when Landlord fails to repair a problem that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant. These rights include the right to repair and deduct; terminate the Agreement; and obtain a judicial order that Landlord make the repair, reduce the rent, pay Tenant damages (including a civil penalty), and pay Tenant's court and attorney's fees.
14. INSURANCE. It is acknowledged that, unless otherwise noted, Landlord does not maintain insurance to cover Tenant's personal property damage or loss caused by fire, theft, rain, water overflow/leakage, acts of God, and/or any other causes. Landlord is not responsible for any loss or damage to property owned by Tenant or Tenant's guests or invitees unless resulting from Landlord's intentional or negligent acts. It is acknowledged that Landlord highly recommends that Tenant carry renter's insurance for fire, extended coverage, and liability to cover accidental injury and damage or loss of personal property and/or vehicle due to fire or theft.
15. ENTRY OF PREMISES. Landlord and Landlord's agents will have the right at all reasonable times during the term of this Agreement, and any renewal thereof, to enter the Premises for the purposes of making any inspections, repairs, or improvements as may be deemed appropriate by Landlord or required by law; to supply agreed services; in order to show it to prospective residents, purchasers, or lenders; to address an emergency; or as provided otherwise herein. Tenant agrees to make the Premises available to Landlord or Landlord's agents for such purposes. At all times Landlord must be provided with the keys, codes, or other items necessary for unlocking all locks and devices permitting entry. Tenant further agrees to seek permission from Landlord in writing if Tenant seeks to install any security or burglar alarm system and, if granted, to provide instructions on how to disarm such systems in case an emergency entry is required.
1. Notice Required. No advance notice is required for entry if Tenant requests maintenance, repairs, or improvements. In the event that Landlord reasonably believes that an emergency exists, such as a fire or serious damage or serious danger to the continued welfare of the Premises, or reasonably believes that the Premises has been abandoned, Landlord will not be required to provide Tenant with advanced notice before entering the property. In all other situations, Landlord is required to provide reasonable written notice in compliance with state law prior to entry.
16. SUBORDINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement and Tenant's interest hereunder are and will be subordinate, junior, and inferior to any and all mortgages, liens, or encumbrances now or hereafter placed on the Premises by Landlord.
17. TERMINATION; TENANT'S HOLD OVER. Either Landlord or Tenant may terminate this tenancy by serving the appropriate amount of notice in compliance with state law. Failure of Tenant to provide appropriate written notice to terminate this tenancy will result in Tenant's continuing obligation under this Agreement for an additional period.
18. SURRENDER OF PREMISES. Upon the termination or expiration of the Agreement, Tenant must surrender the Premises in the same state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Agreement, except that Tenant will not be responsible for damage due to reasonable wear and damage by fire, the elements, casualty, or other cause not due to the misuse or neglect by Tenant or Tenant's invitees, visitors, licensees, or subtenants. Landlord may keep all abandoned property left behind by Tenant or remove such property at Tenant's expense.
19. RENT AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT. Landlord expressly reserves the right to modify the amount of the rental payments or any other term of this Agreement upon properly serving Tenant with thirty (30) days' advance written notice, except where explicitly prohibited by law. If Landlord pays a local tax based on rent and that tax increases, Landlord may pass through the increase by increasing the rent upon thirty (30) days' notice to Tenant, but not before the new tax becomes effective.
20. QUIET ENJOYMENT. If Tenant remains in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, Landlord covenants that Tenant will peacefully and quietly have, hold, and enjoy the Premises. Note: Landlord promises to notify Tenant in the event that Landlord has applied for a permit to demolish the rental unit or in the event there are outstanding inspection orders, condemnation orders, foreclosure proceedings, or declarations that the Property is unfit.
21. INDEMNIFICATION. Landlord will not be liable and Tenant hereby waives all claims against Landlord for any damage to any property or any injury in or about the Premises by or from any cause whatsoever, except to the extent caused by or arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord or its agents, employees, or contractors. Tenant will protect, indemnify, and hold Landlord entities harmless from and against any and all loss, claims, liability, or costs (including court costs and attorney's fees) incurred by reason of (a) any damage to any property or any injury occurring in, on, or about the Premises to the extent that such injury or damage is caused by or arise from any act or omission of Tenant, its agents, servants, invitees, or visitors; (b) Tenant's failure to comply with any and all governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations applicable to the condition or use of the Premises or its occupancy; or (c) any breach or default on the part of Tenant in the performance of this Agreement. The provisions of this paragraph will survive the termination of this Agreement with respect to any claims or liability accruing prior to such termination.
22. ATTORNEY'S FEES; JURY TRIALS. In the event any dispute arises between Landlord and Tenant concerning this Agreement that results in litigation, the losing Party will pay the prevailing Party's reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, which will be determined by the court and made a part of any judgment.
23. REIMBURSEMENT. If Tenant fails or refuses to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Landlord may carry out and perform such conditions at the cost and expense of Tenant, which amounts will be payable on demand to Landlord.
24. LIENS. If any liens are created or filed against the Premises by reason of labor performed or materials furnished for Tenant on the Premises, Tenant will upon demand, at Tenant's own cost and expense, cause such lien to be satisfied and discharged of record together with any lien claims that may have been filed. Failure to do so will entitle Landlord to resort to such remedies as are provided herein in the case of any default of this Agreement, in addition to such as are permitted by law.
25. DEFAULT. If Landlord determines that Tenant is in default of this Agreement, Landlord will provide Tenant with the appropriate written eviction notice as specified under state law and under which Tenant may have a limited number of days to cure the default unless otherwise excepted.
26. NON-WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Landlord's failure to require compliance with the conditions of this Agreement, or to exercise any right provided herein, will not be deemed a waiver by Landlord of such condition or right. Landlord's acceptance of rent with knowledge of any default under agreement by Tenant will not be deemed a waiver of such default, nor will it limit Landlord's rights with respect to that or any subsequent right.
27. EXTENDED ABSENCE. Tenant must notify Landlord of an anticipated extended absence from the Premises that will be in excess of seven days; however, the notice may be given as soon as reasonably possible after Tenant knows the absence will exceed seven days.
28. ABANDONMENT; EVICTION. If at any time during the term of this Agreement Tenant abandons the Premises or any part thereof, or if Tenant is evicted, Tenant will remain liable for any loss of rent for the remainder of the rental term, and Landlord may, at Landlord's option, obtain possession of the Premises in the manner provided by law without becoming liable to Tenant for damages or for any payment of any kind whatsoever. At this point, Landlord may pursue any remedies available at law, include re-letting the Premises for the remainder of the then unexpired term.
29. BED BUG PREVENTION. This paragraph is meant to provide Tenant with educational information on bed bugs and their prevention. Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They do not transmit diseases, but their bites can leave itchy red welts on their victims. Adult bed bugs appear reddish-brown and have a flattened, oval shape about the size of an apple seed. To prevent bed bugs you should always inspect furniture, clothing, and mattresses before bringing them into your home or when returning from a trip, and wash them if you think they might have bed bugs. While it helps to cover mattresses in plastic, bed bugs are difficult to remove. Therefore, consult a licensed pest control company to help you remove them. Do not attempt yourself to use any toxic chemicals inside the unit. You should promptly notify Landlord if you think you have a bed bug problem in the unit. Landlord can help point you to additional information and help you locate a suitable pest control company. Unless contrary to state or local law or otherwise agreed in writing, Tenant agrees to pay the cost of hiring a pest control company for bed bug removal.
30. NOTICE. Any notice, service of process, or demands required or permitted under this Agreement or under law will be deemed sufficiently given or served if sent by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
    
    IF TO LANDLORD SEND TO:
    _____________
    _____________
    _____________, _____________ _____________
    
    IF TO TENANT SEND TO:
    Landlord and Tenant each have the right from time to time to change the place of notice by giving the other Party written notice of this change. Tenant must immediately notify Landlord or manager of the Premises in person or at above address of any emergencies, dangerous conditions, or defects in and about the Premises of which Tenant becomes aware.
31. TELEPHONE NUMBERS. Tenant agrees to notify Landlord within five calendar days of any change in Tenant's telephone number.
32. GENERAL TERMS
1. Entire Agreement. Tenant expressly acknowledges and agrees that Landlord has not made and is not making, and Tenant in executing and delivering this Agreement is not relying upon, any warranties, representations, promises, or statements, except to the extent that they are expressly set forth in this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that all understandings and agreements of the Parties are merged into this Agreement, which alone fully and completely expresses their agreements.
2. Survival of Tenant's Obligations. All of Tenant's obligations and covenants arising by or during the term of this Agreement and that are not fulfilled at the termination of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement.
3. Modification. The Parties hereby agree that this document contains the entire agreement between the Parties and this Agreement may not be modified, changed, altered, or amended in any way except through a written amendment signed by all of the Parties hereto.
4. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held, for any reason and to any extent, invalid or unenforceable, neither the remainder of this Agreement nor the application of the provision to other persons, entities, or circumstances will be affected thereby, but instead must be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
5. Cumulative Rights. Landlord's and Tenant's rights under this Agreement are cumulative and will not be construed as exclusive of each other unless otherwise required by law.
6. Joint and Several Liability. If more than one person signs this Agreement, then the liability of the persons so signing will be joint and several. The language "joint and several" means that if more than one person has signed this Agreement, then each of these persons individually and all of these persons collectively are fully responsible for fulfilling all of the obligations of this Agreement, except where expressly otherwise agreed between Landlord and Tenant.
7. Binding Effect. The covenants, obligations, and conditions herein contained will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, and assigns of the Parties hereto. The obligations of Landlord under this Agreement will not be binding upon Landlord named herein with respect to any period subsequent to the transfer of Landlord's interest in the Premises as owner or lessee thereof, and in event of such transfer said obligations will thereafter be binding upon each transferee of the interest of Landlord.
8. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed, construed, and interpreted by, through, and under the laws of the State of _____________.
9. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings used herein are for convenience of reference only and they are not intended to have any effect whatsoever in determining the rights or obligations of Landlord or Tenant.
10. Constructions. The pronouns used herein include, where appropriate, either gender or both, singular and plural. The terms "Landlord" and "Tenant" include the singular as well as the plural.
11. Non-Waiver. No indulgence, waiver, election, or non-election by Landlord under this Agreement will affect Tenant's duties and liabilities hereunder.
12. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for this Agreement.
13. Force Majeure. Performance of any obligation under this Agreement by any Party will be excused for the duration of any event or circumstance causing a delay in performance through no fault of the obliged Party, including, without limitation, war; reasonably unforeseen supply shortages; changes in law or regulation; strikes; riots; lock-outs; labor troubles; power outages caused by weather or third parties; and natural events, such as blizzards, torrential rain, or tornadoes.
14. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by fax, email, or other facsimile, each an original but all considered part of one Agreement. Electronic signatures placed upon counterparts of this Agreement by a Party or their approved agent will be considered valid representations of that Party's signature.

Each Party acknowledges that it has read and understood all the terms of this Agreement and hereby agrees to be bound thereby, including any attached schedules, exhibits, or addendums. Tenant further acknowledges that it was under no duress in signing this Agreement and had full opportunity to negotiate the terms contained herein and to consult independent counsel.

LANDLORD:

Print: _____________

Sign: ___________________________________ Date: ______________

TENANT:

This SCHEDULE A - LEAD-BASED PAINT DISCLOSURE is hereby incorporated into the RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT FOR _____________ entered into on ______________________, by and between _____________ (hereinafter "Landlord") and (hereinafter "Tenant") and associated with the real property situated at _____________, _____________, _____________ _____________. All terms used herein are defined according to the Agreement.

WARNING! LEAD FROM PAINT, DUST, AND SOIL CAN BE DANGEROUS IF NOT MANAGED PROPERLY. Penalties for failure to comply with Federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Laws include treble (three times) damages, attorney's fees, costs, and a base penalty up to $11,000 (plus adjustment for inflation). The current penalty is up to $16,000 for each violation.

Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, Landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling. Tenants must also receive a federally approved pamphlet on lead poisoning prevention.

1. Landlord acknowledges that Landlord has been informed of Landlord's obligations. Landlord is aware that Landlord must retain a copy of this disclosure for not less than three years from the commencement of the leasing or rental period.

2. Presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards (check one box below):

□ Landlord has no knowledge of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the housing.

□ Landlord has knowledge of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards present in the housing (explain):

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________.

3. Records and reports available to Landlord (check one box below):

□ Landlord has no reports or records pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the housing.

□ Landlord has provided Tenant with all available records and reports pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the housing (list documents below):

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________.

Tenant's Acknowledgment

4. Tenant has read the Lead Warning Statement above and understands its contents.

5. Tenant has received the pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home," or has access to it online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/pfflinyhbrochure.pdf.

Real Estate Licensee's Acknowledgment

Each real estate licensee signing below acknowledges receipt of the above Landlord's disclosure, has informed Landlord of Landlord's obligations and is aware of licensee's responsibility to ensure compliance.

LANDLORD:

Print: _____________

Sign: ___________________________________ Date: ______________

TENANT(S):

Our residential lease agreement offers the best protection for landlords available on the web. This form contains everything you need to quickly and effectively execute a strong agreement. The following instructions provide an overview of some of the key provisions of the agreement.

Fixed-Term vs. Periodic Tenancy

When completing the agreement, you will be given the choice between creating a fixed-term or a periodic tenancy agreement. A fixed-term tenancy is simply a tenancy agreement that states that it will end on a specific date in the future, usually about six months or a year from the start of the tenancy. A periodic tenancy has no set end date and usually continues from month to month until one of the parties chooses to terminate the tenancy.

Many states provide fixed-term tenants different rights than periodic tenants. This most commonly impacts the tenant's rights upon terminating the agreement or being evicted. The proper procedure for canceling a fixed-term or periodic tenancy depends on the terms of the agreement and state law. If you choose to create a fixed-term tenancy, this agreement states that the tenant must provide 30 days' notice of his or her intent not to renew the agreement when it expires.

For fixed-term tenancies, the agreement will automatically expire at the end of the term. If the tenant holds over by staying on the premises and the landlord does not notify the tenant to vacate the unit when the agreement ends, then the agreement will convert to a periodic tenancy and continue on a month-to-month basis until terminated.

If you choose a periodic tenancy, then either the landlord or the tenant may terminate the agreement by serving the appropriate amount of notice in compliance with state law, which is usually 30 days' notice.

Rental Payments

This section of your agreement sets out how often rental payments are due. A monthly payment structure is most common. However, you may also choose for rent to be paid weekly, twice per month, every two months, every six months, or once per year.

When specifying the location to where the tenant must make payments, you may add multiple locations as a convenience to the tenant. You may also provide the details for any online payment portal in this section. The same applies when identifying the accepted payment methods. You may allow the tenant to pay via check, cash, direct deposit, wire transfer, credit card/debit card, money order, cashier's check, online, or all of the above. You may also add custom payment methods.

Security Deposit

Even in the absence of a security deposit, tenants are still required to pay for any damage they cause to the property. However, it is recommended that the landlord always require tenants to pay an upfront security deposit equal to at least one month's rent. This will help ensure that the tenant pays for any damage discovered by the landlord at the end of the tenancy and helps avoid costly litigation that would be required to enforce the agreement in court. See our FAQs for security deposit maximums, refund timeframes, and interest requirements for your state.

The landlord may use the security deposit to repair any damage the tenant causes beyond normal wear and tear to the premises, the common areas, and any furnishings provided by the landlord. "Normal wear and tear" means deterioration that occurs when the premises, or any furnishings provided, are used as intended, without negligence or abuse by the tenant or any of the tenant's guests or subtenants (if permitted).

Subletting

The tenant may not sublet out the apartment to other occupants without the prior written consent of the landlord. Doing so is grounds for the landlord to terminate the agreement and pursue eviction.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosures

For properties built before 1978 (i.e. pre-1978 property), federal law requires that the landlord and tenant (and their agents) sign a "Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint," which is included for you. Landlords must keep the signed copy of the "Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint" for at least three years as compliance with the rules. Tenants must also receive the federally approved lead hazard information pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" or a similar pamphlet approved for use in your state by the Environmental Protection Agency.

State and Local Disclosure Requirements

Often, state and local law have disclosure requirements that need to be disclosed before or at the signing of the rental or lease agreement. For instance, landlords are often required to disclose serious problems that affect the rental unit's habitability; any housing code violations; mold or flood zone warnings; radon warnings; bed bug, carbon monoxide, and asbestos disclosures; the presence of a methamphetamine laboratory or a flood at the unit prior to the tenant's occupancy; whether the property is located in a military zone; and local rent control rules. When in doubt, it is always best to disclose these and similar issues. Especially if the property is covered by rent control, make sure to research local regulations for required disclosures. These can normally be found on your city or county website or by contacting the office of your mayor, city manager, county administrator, or a locally licensed attorney.

We recommend that Landlords provide educational information regarding bed bugs to all prospective Tenants, such as the Environmental Protection Agency brochure, Bed Bug Prevention, Detection and Control.

Final Steps

Once finished completing the agreement, simply have all parties sign and date where indicated. Be sure that all parties get a copy of the agreement to retain for their records.