How to write a rental agreement
Almost every argument between a landlord and a tenant is an argument about something that was never written down: what the rent covers, when it rises, what the deposit was for. An hour at the start is worth more than any clause added afterwards.
Name the landlord and the tenant, give the full address of the property, say whether it is furnished, set the start date and the term, and write the rent, the charges and the deposit as separate figures. Both parties sign, and each keeps a copy.
Fill in the free templateStep by step
- Name both parties and the property
The landlord, the tenant, and the full address of the home being let — including the flat or door number, which is what identifies it on any later document.
- Set the type and the term
Furnished or unfurnished, the start date, and the length in months. These three decide which rules apply to the tenancy in most countries.
- Separate rent, charges and deposit
Rent on one line, charges on another, deposit on a third. Merging them is the single most common cause of a dispute at the end of the tenancy.
- Sign, date and give the tenant a copy
Both parties sign, each keeps an original, and the inventory is done on the day the keys change hands — not later.
Why the charges line matters more than it looks
Charges are the part that moves. When rent and charges are written as one figure, neither side can later show what was included, and any adjustment becomes a negotiation from nothing.
Write the charges separately and say what they cover and how they are settled — a flat provision reconciled annually, or actual costs on presentation of invoices. Both are normal; leaving it unsaid is not.
Tenancy law is local, and it overrides you
Residential tenancies are heavily regulated almost everywhere, and the rules differ between countries and sometimes between cities: minimum terms, notice periods, deposit caps, rent controls, mandatory certificates and annexes.
A clause that contradicts those rules is simply void, and in some places writing it is itself an offence. Use a template as the structure, then check what your local law requires before either party signs.
The inventory is part of the agreement
A signed agreement without an inventory leaves the condition of the property undocumented, which means the deposit is decided at the end by whoever argues better.
Do the inventory with both parties present on the day the keys move, photograph anything already damaged, and have both sign it. It takes half an hour and it is the single most useful document either side will hold.
Frequently asked questions
Is a written tenancy agreement compulsory?
In most countries a residential tenancy must be in writing, and even where an oral agreement is valid it leaves both sides unable to prove what was agreed. Write it down.
Can I use one template in any country?
Use it for the structure, not for the law. The figures and clauses are universal; minimum terms, notice and deposit limits are not, and local rules always take precedence.
How much deposit can I ask for?
That is capped by law in many places — commonly one or two months' rent excluding charges. Check the limit where the property is before writing a figure.