What should be included in a written lease?

When a person is looking to rent a house, apartment, or townhome, they will have to sign a lease. The majority of leases are written by the landlord, though some are made orally. A lease is essentially a contract between the landlord and the tenant that details the role and responsibilities of both parties. There are a number of factors that should be included in a written lease.

Your lease should include a full description of the rental property, including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other features of the property. The landlord may also want to include a list of any appliances they plan to provide, such as a stove, refrigerator, microwave, etc. One of the most important aspects of the written lease is information regarding how much rent is going to be and when rent payments are due. It is also important to distinguish who will pay for the utilities, including electric, cable, etc. or whether this cost is included in rent. They should also detail the information regarding the length of time the lease is valid for and when the tenant is expected to leave. If the landlord has any particular rules about the property (i.e. no pets, etc.), it is important that they are detailed in the lease.

It is important that the landlord makes all of this information known to the tenant before they sign the lease. If there are any landlord/tenant disputes in the future, the written lease can be used for reference. If you have any questions regarding a lease, contact an experienced attorney today.

Marc N. Needelman is an experienced landlord/tenant attorney working throughout the state of Connecticut. Contact the law firm to set up a free initial consultation.

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