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Rental agreement template

Residential rental agreement: A rental (tenancy) agreement lets a landlord rent a home to a tenant, covering rent, deposit, length of the tenancy, repairs and house rules.

Last reviewed 6 November 2026 · 6 clauses · General guidance, not legal advice

Fill in the terms and send it for e-signature in minutes.

Use this template free

When to use a residential rental agreement

  • Letting a flat, house or room
  • Corporate housing for staff
  • Renewing an existing tenancy

Rental agreement template: clause-by-clause outline

Sample starting wording for each clause. Replace the text in [brackets] with your details.

  1. Property and term

    The Landlord lets [address] to the Tenant for [11 / 12] months from [date].

  2. Rent

    Rent is [amount] per month, payable on the [1st] by bank transfer.

  3. Deposit

    The Tenant pays a deposit of [amount], protected as required by law and returned within [x] days after the tenancy ends, less lawful deductions.

  4. Maintenance

    The Landlord is responsible for structural and major repairs; the Tenant keeps the property clean and reports problems promptly.

  5. Use and occupants

    The property is for residential use by the Tenant and [named occupants] only.

  6. Notice

    Either party may end the tenancy with [1] month’s notice, subject to local tenancy law.

What to check before you sign

  • Does the tenancy follow local rules on deposits, notice and rent increases, which are often mandatory?
  • Does it need registration or stamp duty?
  • Is an inventory attached?

Signing formalities: Residential tenancies are heavily regulated. Local rules on deposits, notice and registration usually override the contract.

How to send a residential rental agreement for e-signature

  1. Start from the built-in template. Fill in the parties and terms; the contract and its plain-language review write themselves.
  2. Check it against your playbook. Points outside your positions are flagged, and approval rules route it to Legal when needed.
  3. Send it by email. Signers get a plain-language review and a secure link, sign on any device in the order you set, and can suggest changes as tracked changes.
  4. Keep the signed PDF. Everyone receives it with a certificate of completion, and key dates go to Upcoming with reminders.

Rental agreement template: frequently asked questions

Why are many Indian rental agreements 11 months?

Leases of 12 months or more must be registered in India, so many parties use 11-month agreements, which still need stamp duty under state law.

Can a tenancy agreement be signed online?

In many countries yes. Some require registration or stamped paper, which you can attach as evidence.

Is an electronically signed residential rental agreement legally binding?

Often, but not always. Residential tenancies are heavily regulated. Local rules on deposits, notice and registration usually override the contract. econtracts.ai shows the rules for the contract’s governing law before you send it.

Can I get a residential rental agreement I received reviewed?

Yes. Upload it to econtracts.ai and you get a plain-language review: key dates, money and points to check, each quoting the clause it comes from.

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This outline is a starting point for discussion, not legal advice, and it is not a complete contract. Laws differ by country and sector; have a qualified lawyer review contracts that matter.