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Residential Tenancy Agreement

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Residential Tenancy Agreement for a Fixed Term

For tenancy advice contact the Tenancies Branch on 8204 9544

THIS AGREEMENT is made between the LANDLORD(S):

(insert full name/s)

of
(insert address of landlord/s)

and the TENANT(S):

(insert full name/s)

THE LANDLORD AGREES TO LET to the TENANT who AGREES TO RENT the premises situated at

FROM:
(insert commencement date)

TO:
(insert end date)

For a term of MONTHS

The definition and interpretation of words used in this LEASE AGREEMENT are as set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1995.

Complete only if required

1. RESERVATION OF PART OF PREMISES

Those parts of the premises excluded by this agreement and reserved for the LANDLORD'S own use are:

(Describe those parts of the premises not subject to this agreement with as much detail as possible)

CONDITIONS

2. Application of the Act and Regulations

The LANDLORD and the TENANT are legally bound to comply with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 and the associated Regulations. An agreement or arrangement that is inconsistent with this Act or purports to exclude, modify or restrict the operation of this Act, is (unless the inconsistency, exclusion, modification or restriction is expressly permitted under this Act) to that extent void.

3. Payment of Rent

The TENANT will pay rent for the premises at the rate of $ per

Payment of rent will be made on the of each

by

4. Maintenance of Premises - Landlord

The LANDLORD will hand over the premises and ancillary property in a reasonable state of cleanliness, maintain the premises in a reasonable state of repair and abide by all legal requirements regarding the buildings and health and safety in respect of the premises.

5. Maintenance of Premises - Tenant

The TENANT will keep the premises and ancillary property in a reasonable state of cleanliness and will notify the LANDLORD of any damage to the premises or any state of disrepair that arises during the tenancy. The TENANT must not intentionally or negligently cause or permit damage to the premises or ancillary property.

6. Use of Premises

The TENANT will not use, allow or cause the premises to be used for any illegal purpose or cause, or allow a nuisance. The TENANT must not cause or permit an interference with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of another person who resides in the immediate vicinity of the premises.

7. Handing over vacant possession without legal impediment

At the commencement of the AGREEMENT the LANDLORD will hand over vacant possession of the premises to the TENANT (except for any part reserved for the LANDLORD'S own use set out on the front page of this document). When handing over vacant possession the LANDLORD agrees that there is no legal impediment (either known or that should reasonably be known) that would prevent the TENANT from using the premises as a residence for the term of the tenancy.

8. Tenant's right to peace comfort and privacy

The LANDLORD will not cause or allow any interference with the peace, comfort or privacy of the TENANT and will take all reasonable steps to enforce this obligation upon any other TENANT of the LANDLORD in occupation of other premises.

9. Landlord's right of entry

The LANDLORD may, subject to the conditions in Paragraph 8 above, enter the premises in the following circumstances:

(a) in the case of an emergency; no notice is required

(b) by giving written notice, with a date and time specified, to the TENANT for a specific purpose (including routine inspections of the premises) seven to fourteen days before entering the premises;

(not more frequently than once every four weeks for routine inspections)

(c) at a previously arranged time with the TENANT, but not more than once every week for the purpose of collecting rent;

(d) to carry out necessary repairs or maintenance at a reasonable time, giving at least 48 hours' written notice;

(e) after giving reasonable notice to the TENANT to show the premises to prospective tenants during the last 28 days of a tenancy;

(f) after giving reasonable notice to the TENANT to show the premises to prospective purchasers;

(it is generally accepted that inspections by appointment for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective purchasers should be no more than twice weekly, with at least 24 hours' notice being given and that open inspections should be no more than once per fortnight with reasonable notice being given);

(g) at any time with the consent of the TENANT given immediately before the time of entry.

10. Locks and Security Devices

The LANDLORD will provide and maintain locks and other devices that are necessary to ensure the premises are reasonably secure. Neither the LANDLORD nor the TENANT will alter or remove a lock or security device or add a lock or security device without the consent of the other.

11. Alterations and additions

The TENANT must not, without the LANDLORD'S written consent, make an alteration or addition to the premises.

12. Removal of Fixtures

Where the LANDLORD has given his consent as in Paragraph 11 above, the TENANT may remove a fixture affixed to the premises unless its removal would cause damage to the premises.

13. Compensation for damages when removing a fixture

If a TENANT causes damage to the premises by removing a fixture, the TENANT must notify the LANDLORD and, at the option of the LANDLORD, repair the damage or compensate the LANDLORD for the reasonable cost of repairing the damage.

14. Rates, taxes and charges - Water Charges

The LANDLORD must bear all statutory rates, taxes and charges imposed in respect of the premises. However, rates and charges for water supply are as agreed upon between the LANDLORD and the TENANT. In the absence of an agreement, the LANDLORD will bear rates and charges for water supply up to 136 kilolitres a year. Any amount above this limit is to be borne by the TENANT.

15. Subletting or Assignment

The TENANT has the right, with the LANDLORD'S written approval, to sublet the rental premises, or assign their interest to another party. The LANDLORD cannot unreasonably withhold consent or charge for subletting or assignment, except for reasonable incidental expenses in doing so.

16. Termination by Landlord or Tenant for breach of agreement

Either the LANDLORD or the TENANT may terminate the tenancy by notice of termination given to the other for breach of any term of the AGREEMENT. Such notice is to be in the written form required by regulation, specifying the breach and informing the TENANT or LANDLORD that if the breach is not remedied within a specified period (which must be a period of at least 7 clear days) from the date the notice is given, then the tenancy is terminated by force of the notice.

17. Termination for Rent Arrears

Where termination is sought by the LANDLORD on the grounds of non-payment of rent, fourteen days of unpaid or part-paid rent must elapse before a termination notice can be issued.

18. Termination on hardship grounds

If the continuation of a residential tenancy agreement would result in undue hardship to the LANDLORD or the TENANT, the Residential Tenancies Tribunal may on application by the LANDLORD or TENANT terminate the agreement from a date specified by Tribunal order.

19. Termination not otherwise given

Except as stated in Paragraphs 16 and 17 on page 3 of this document, neither the LANDLORD or the TENANT may give notice of termination before the end of the term of this AGREEMENT.

If the TENANT vacates the premises before the end of the term of this AGREEMENT without the approval (preferably in writing) of the LANDLORD, they may be liable to the LANDLORD for the costs associated with finding a new TENANT, reletting the premises and for any loss of rent.

20. Holding over

With the approval of the LANDLORD, the TENANT may occupy the premises after the end of the term of this AGREEMENT, subject to the conditions of this AGREEMENT, until a time mutually agreed to by both parties.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

SIGNATURE OF LANDLORD/S

DATE

DATE

SIGNATURE OF TENANT/S

DATE

DATE

DATE

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What a Residential Tenancy Agreement Is and when it applies

A Residential Tenancy Agreement is a written contract that sets out the rights and obligations of a landlord and a tenant for the rental of residential property. It typically covers lease term, rent amount and schedule, security deposit rules, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, permitted occupants, and rules for entry and notice. The agreement creates enforceable obligations between parties and can be used as evidence in housing court or administrative proceedings. Many jurisdictions allow electronic execution consistent with ESIGN and state UETA or state statutes.

Why a clear tenancy agreement matters

A well-drafted Residential Tenancy Agreement reduces disputes by documenting rent, repairs, and allowed use; it clarifies remedies for nonpayment and breach and provides a written basis for notices and legal actions when required.

Why a clear tenancy agreement matters

Who typically prepares and signs these agreements

Landlords, property managers, and tenants use tenancy agreements to formalize occupancy terms and protect legal rights.

  • Individual landlords and owners managing single-unit rentals, who need clear rent and maintenance terms to reduce disputes and document tenant responsibilities.
  • Property management companies and leasing agents, who handle multiple leases and require standardized clauses, renewal procedures, and signature workflows.
  • Prospective tenants and guarantors, who sign to accept terms, provide contact information, and agree to security deposit and move-out conditions.

Use a written agreement for any tenancy longer than a short-term verbal arrangement to ensure clarity and legal enforceability.

Core components every professional tenancy agreement should include

A complete Residential Tenancy Agreement organizes tenancy basics, payment terms, responsibilities, and legal protections so both parties understand expectations and remedies.

Parties

Full legal names and contact details for landlord(s) and tenant(s), and any authorized agents or guarantors to ensure correct legal identification.

Premises

Complete property address, unit number, and included spaces or storage; expressly list excluded areas to avoid later disputes about access.

Term

Start and end dates, renewal options, and notice requirements for nonrenewal or termination to define tenancy duration and extension mechanics.

Rent

Amount, due date, accepted payment methods, late fees, returned check fees, and grace periods to make payment expectations explicit.

Deposits

Security deposit amount, allowable deductions, interest rules (if required by state), and required timelines for return at lease end.

Maintenance

Allocation of repair responsibilities, landlord entry notice requirements, and procedures for emergency repairs and habitability complaints.

Essential data fields and short-format guidance

Tenant Name: Full legal name
Landlord Name: Full legal name
Property Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Lease Dates: Start and end
Rent Amount: Monthly total
Security Deposit: Amount held

Step-by-step: how to complete and execute a tenancy agreement

Follow these sequential steps to gather information, fill the form, secure signatures, and retain a final executed copy.

  • 01
    Collect IDs: Obtain government IDs and contact info from all parties.
  • 02
    Fill core fields: Complete names, address, term, rent, and deposit sections accurately.
  • 03
    Review clauses: Confirm maintenance, utilities, and entry notice language.
  • 04
    Execute: Sign electronically or in-person and distribute executed copies.

Configuring a digital workflow for the tenancy agreement

Set up a secure, auditable signing process with defined signer roles, authentication, and automated routing to reduce delays.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Specify landlord then tenant or simultaneous signing as needed.
Authentication Use email plus SMS code or higher assurance methods when required.
Attachments Attach move-in checklists, photos, and ID copies as exhibits.
Notifications Enable reminders and completion emails for each signer.

Digital delivery and technical requirements

Ensure the platform supports secure e-signature, audit trails, and document export to common formats before sending documents.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX support
  • Integrations: Works with common CRMs and cloud storage
  • Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Choose a solution offering audit history, optional two-factor signer authentication, and exportable signed copies for recordkeeping.

Typical online signing flow for tenancy agreements

A standard e-sign workflow reduces turnaround time and provides an audit trail from upload to final signature.

  • Upload: Sender uploads the completed agreement file.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, initials, and date fields for signers.
  • Send: Generate signer-specific links or email invites.
  • Complete: Signer authenticates and signs; signed copies distributed automatically.

Timing and legal deadlines to track

Certain timeframes and notice periods are statutory or commonly enforced; track these dates to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

Rent Due Date:

Specified monthly due date and any grace period

Security Deposit Return:

State-specific timeline typically 14–60 days after tenancy termination

Notice to Enter:

Advance notice period for landlord entry as required by state law

Termination Notice:

30–60 day notice common for month-to-month tenancies

Failure Cure Period:

Pay-or-quit or cure periods per state-specific landlord-tenant statutes

Key milestones from lease creation to final move-out

Track milestones sequentially to ensure obligations, inspections, and deposit accounting are completed on time.

01

Lease Signing

Document executed and effective; copies delivered to parties.

02

Move-In Inspection

Record property condition within defined timeframe of occupancy.

03

Ongoing Notices

Track rent reminders, repair requests, and entry notices.

04

Move-Out Accounting

Complete inspection, invoice damages, and return deposit per timeline.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a tenancy agreement

  • Using ambiguous terms for rent increases or maintenance obligations that later lead to disputes and litigation.
  • Failing to state the exact effective date and monthly due date, creating confusion over rent proration and late fees.
  • Omitting required state-specific disclosures or lead-based paint statements when applicable, which may invalidate clauses.
  • Accepting unsigned or partially signed copies without confirming identities and retaining an audit trail for enforcement.

Legal and financial risks of an incorrect or incomplete agreement

Unenforceable Terms: Invalid clauses
Deposit Disputes: Penalty interest
Eviction Delays: Extended stays
Regulatory Fines: Statutory penalties
Litigation Costs: Attorney fees
Tenant Claims: Habitability suits

Real examples of tenancy workflows in practice

These brief examples show how landlords and organizations use tenancy agreements and electronic workflows to reduce friction.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A regional landlord digitized leases for remote signing and compliance checks

  • Reduced move-in turnaround by eliminating in-person meetings
  • The company processes and executes documents online with consistent security, enabling mobile signing and faster tenant onboarding across multiple properties.

Fertility Centers of Illinois — John Butler

A healthcare-related property manager needed secure signature workflows for sensitive tenant documents

  • Required HIPAA-aware handling and audit trails
  • The team chose a platform with SOC 2 and HIPAA support to ensure PHI-linked agreements remain compliant and auditable.

Selected eSignature vendor comparison for tenancy agreement workflows

Compare common vendor capabilities and starting prices when evaluating eSignature options for managing Residential Tenancy Agreements.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently asked questions about Residential Tenancy Agreements

Answers to common questions about signing, enforceability, notarization, and amendments for tenancy agreements in the United States.


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