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Terms to Include in a Florida Residential Lease Agreement

On Behalf of | Jan 27, 2025 | Real Estate Law

When a landlord agrees to rent a residential property to a tenant, the parties will have to enter a residential lease agreement that specifies the terms for the rental. Every lease agreement should be tailored to fit the parties involved, but there are several key terms and provisions that should generally be included. This will ensure that both landlords and tenants have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

A residential lease should typically include the following information:

  • Names and contact information for landlords and tenants.
  • Address and description of the rental property and allowed/prohibited uses of the property.
  • Duration of the lease and start/end dates.
  • Amount of rent owed, when rent is due, how rent should be paid, and penalties for missed/late payments.
  • Amount of security deposit and situations where it may be withheld.
  • Landlord’s responsibilities (e.g., completing repairs and performing maintenance).
  • Tenant’s responsibilities and rules to follow (e.g., no smoking, no pets, or no excessive noise).
  • Tenant’s rights (e.g., right to privacy or right to habitable living conditions).
  • Who will pay for heat, gas, and other utilities.
  • Process for termination/renewal of the lease.

Once a lease is signed by both the landlord and the tenant, both parties must adhere to its terms. However, it is common for one or both parties to want to add additional terms to the lease or make changes to the existing terms. In such cases, a lease amendment must be drafted and both parties will need to agree to the new terms in writing.

Making sure your lease is detailed is important, as landlord-tenant disputes are common in the world of real estate law. These disputes may arise over failure to pay rent, property damage, or lease violations.