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Residential Tenancy Agreement

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RESIDENTIAL TENANCY AGREEMENT FORM 24A
FIXED TERM TENANCY

A. THIS AGREEMENT is made between the OWNER(S)


(full address)

and the TENANT(S)


(full names / address as applicable)

B. THE OWNER AGREES TO LET to the TENANT who AGREES TO RENT the residential premises situated at


(excluding those parts of the residential premises which the owner reserves being ...)

C. FROM THE day of 20

TO THE day of 20 for a term of MONTHS

CONDITIONS

1. The OWNER and TENANT shall comply with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989 as they apply to each party.

2. The OWNER lets and the TENANT takes the premises situated at together with the furniture and chattels (if any) therein as set out in the attached schedule for use as a private dwelling to be occupied by not more than persons.

The Weekly/Fortnightly/Calendar Monthly rent is $ () payable in advance with the first payment to be made on or before the day of 20

3. The OWNER shall hand over the residential premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and maintain the residential premises in a reasonable state of repair having regard to their age, character and expected life and shall comply with all requirements in respect of buildings, health and safety in respect of residential premises.

4. The TENANT shall keep the residential premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and shall notify the owner as soon as practicable but within 3 days of any damage to the residential premises and of any state of disrepair which arises during the term of the tenancy.

5. The TENANT shall not use the premises or cause or permit the premises to be used for any illegal purposes or cause or permit a nuisance. The premises shall be used solely for the purposes of a residence and the TENANT shall not cause or permit the premises to be used for any other purpose.

6. On the date of the commencement of the agreement, the OWNER will grant vacant possession to the TENANT of the residential premises and the OWNER states that at the time of entering the agreement there is no legal impediment either known or imputed to him to the occupation of the residential premises as a residence for the term of the tenancy.

7. The OWNER shall not cause or permit any interference with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of the TENANT in the use of the premises and shall take all reasonable steps to enforce this obligation upon any other TENANT of the OWNER in occupation of adjacent premises.

8. The OWNER may, subject to the obligations contained in paragraph 7 above, enter the premises in the following circumstances:

a) with the consent of the TENANT given at, or immediately before, the time of entry;

b) in any case of emergency;

c) for the purpose of inspecting the premises or any other purpose on a day and at a reasonable hour specified in a notice given to the TENANT between seven and fourteen days in advance;

d) for the purpose of carrying out necessary repairs to or maintenance of the premises, at any reasonable hour, after giving to the TENANT not less than seventy-two hours notice;

e) for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective tenants, at any reasonable hour and on a reasonable number of occasions during the period of twenty-one days preceding the termination of this agreement, after giving the TENANT reasonable notice;

f) for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective purchasers, at any reasonable hour and on a reasonable number of occasions, after giving the TENANT reasonable notice.

9. The OWNER shall provide and maintain such locks and other devices as are necessary to ensure that the premises are reasonably secure and neither the OWNER nor the TENANT shall alter, remove or add any such lock or device without the consent of the other given at or immediately before the time of alteration, removal or addition of any such lock or device.

10. The TENANT shall not affix any fixture or make any renovation, alteration or addition to the residential premises, without the prior consent of the OWNER, provided that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

11. Where the OWNER has given consent pursuant to paragraph 10 above the TENANT may remove any fixture that the tenant has affixed in the premises during the tenancy, unless the removal of the fixture would cause irreparable damage to the premises.

12. Where the TENANT causes damage to the premises by the removal of any fixture installed by the TENANT the tenant shall notify the OWNER, at whose option the tenant will repair or compensate the OWNER for any reasonable expenses incurred by the OWNER in repairing the damage.

13. The OWNER shall bear the cost of all rates, taxes or charges imposed in respect of the premises under any of the following Acts Local Government Act 1995, Land Tax Act 2002, any written law under which a rate, tax or charge is imposed for ‘water services’, as defined in the Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984, other than a charge for water consumed. The OWNER shall pay % of charges for water consumed and the TENANT shall pay the balance.

14. The TENANT may sub let the premises or assign the tenant’s interest under the AGREEMENT subject to the prior consent of the OWNER which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No charge shall be made by the OWNER for that consent, other than reasonable expenses incidental thereto.

15. If the TENANT does not keep his or her part of the agreement except for not paying rent, the OWNER may give a notice (‘the first notice’) requiring that the matter be put right. If the TENANT does not put the matter right, then not less than 14 days after the first notice was given the OWNER may give another notice (‘the second notice’) in the form of Form 1C of the Residential Tenancies Regulations to the TENANT ending the tenancy not less than seven days after the second notice is given.

16. If the TENANT does not pay rent due under the agreement or gives a bad cheque in payment of rent due under the agreement, the OWNER may either—

(i) give a notice (‘the first notice’) to the TENANT requiring payment of the outstanding rent and, if the rent is not paid, give another notice (‘the second notice’) to the TENANT in the form of Form 1A of the Residential Tenancies Regulations, not less than 14 days after the first notice was given, ending the tenancy not less than seven days after the second notice is given;

(ii) on the day after the rent was due or on the dishonouring of the cheque, give notice to the TENANT in the form of Form 1B of the Residential Tenancies Regulations ending the tenancy not less than seven days after the notice is given.

In the case of (ii) the tenancy shall not end if the TENANT pays the rent due under the agreement before the day specified in the notice for vacation of the premises. In addition, an application by the OWNER to a competent court to end the tenancy shall not be continued if the TENANT pays the rent due together with the amount of any court application fee at least one day before the scheduled court hearing.

17. Where the OWNER has breached any term of this AGREEMENT the TENANT may apply to a competent court for an order terminating the AGREEMENT.

18. If, with the approval of the OWNER, the TENANT shall remain in occupation of the premises after the expiration of the term of this AGREEMENT or of an extension thereof of this AGREEMENT shall continue subject to the conditions set out herein until determined by either party in accordance with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.

19. The agreement may be terminated if both the OWNER and the TENANT agree in writing signed by both parties that the tenancy agreement be ended and the date it is to be ended.

20. Owners and Tenants should be aware that it is an offence to contract out of certain provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and should seek advice from the Department of Commerce (Department) before doing so. Advice regarding residential tenancies can be obtained free of charge from the Department’s Telephone Advice Line 1300 30 40 54.

Apart from certain cases it is an offence (maximum fine - $2000) to make an agreement that includes anything that is contrary to the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

OWNER(S)

Date

TENANT(S)

Date

WITNESS

Date

WITNESS

Date

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What a Residential Tenancy Agreement Covers

A Residential Tenancy Agreement is a written contract between a landlord and tenant that sets the terms for renting residential property. It typically identifies the parties, describes the leased premises, states the lease term, rent amount and payment schedule, security deposit rules, permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, and termination procedures. When executed correctly it creates enforceable rights and obligations and can be signed electronically where ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA (1999) or equivalent state statutes apply, subject to specified statutory exceptions.

Why a Clear Written Lease Matters

A clear Residential Tenancy Agreement reduces disputes, documents each party’s expectations, and preserves enforceable remedies for eviction, repairs, or deposit disputes. It also creates an auditable record useful for insurance, tax, and regulatory compliance under state landlord–tenant laws.

Why a Clear Written Lease Matters

Who Uses a Residential Tenancy Agreement

Landlords, property managers, tenants and housing authorities use this agreement to set and document rental terms before occupancy.

  • Individual landlords managing single properties or small portfolios; they need simple, enforceable lease terms and deposit rules.
  • Property managers and management companies that require standardized clauses for multiple units and repeatable move-in/out processes.
  • Tenants seeking certainty on rent, repairs, privacy, subletting and move-out expectations before signing or paying a deposit.

Proper use protects both parties, supports legal compliance, and helps with recordkeeping for taxes and disputes.

Primary signers and authorized agents

Landlord

The landlord (owner or authorized representative) holds property title or management authority and signs to grant tenancy. Include full legal name, business entity name if applicable, and authorized signer information to ensure enforceability and proper service of notices.

Tenant

Each adult occupant with lease obligations must sign and provide current contact and identification details. Joint tenants share liability for rent and damages; list co-signers and guarantors explicitly to avoid later ambiguity.

Core elements to include in a professional lease

A complete Residential Tenancy Agreement balances clarity and enforceability by covering the essentials landlords and tenants rely on in disputes and daily operations.

Parties

Full legal names for landlord, tenant, and any guarantor or management company; include business type and contact addresses for service of notices.

Premises

Complete property address and unit identifier, plus included spaces (garage, storage) and any restrictions on common areas or parking.

Term

Start and end date or month-to-month language; spell out early termination, renewal, and holdover consequences.

Rent & Payment

Specify rent amount, due date, acceptable payment methods, late fee formula, grace period, and returned-check consequences.

Deposits

Security deposit amount, lawful caps or limits, allowed deductions, and the timeframe and method for return after move-out.

Maintenance & Use

Allocation of repair responsibilities, prohibited activities, pet rules, alteration permissions, and procedures for reporting and remedying defects.

Essential fields every lease must record

Tenant Name: Full legal name
Landlord Name: Full legal or entity name
Property Address: Unit and street address
Rent Amount: Dollar amount monthly
Security Deposit: Amount and legal limits
Signatures: Signed and dated entries

Step-by-step: completing and executing the tenancy agreement

Follow these four steps to prepare, sign, and record an executed Residential Tenancy Agreement efficiently and with legal safeguards.

  • 01
    Prepare the form: Complete identifying and material terms accurately.
  • 02
    Review with parties: Confirm names, dates, rent, and deposit terms.
  • 03
    Sign and date: Have all required signers sign in ink or via compliant e-signature.
  • 04
    Distribute copies: Provide a fully executed copy to each party and retain originals.

Configuring an online signing workflow

When completing a lease electronically, configure signer order, authentication, notifications, and copies to match your operational needs.

Field Configuration
Signature type Electronic signature or in-person notarization
Signer order Sequential or parallel signing order
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or ID verification
Delivery copy Email signed PDF to all parties

Where to send and how to file the executed lease

After execution, distribute copies, keep originals, and follow any local registration or housing authority filing requirements where applicable.

  • Provide tenant copy: Give each tenant a signed PDF or printed copy.
  • Retain landlord copy: Store the executed lease in the property file.
  • Register if required: Submit to local rent registry or housing authority where mandated.
  • Share with agent: Send a copy to property manager or legal counsel as needed.

Digital signing and format compatibility

Choose a signing platform that produces certified PDFs, supports mobile signing, and generates an audit trail.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX are widely supported
  • Integrations: Works with Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication options: Email link, SMS, or stronger ID verification

Key timing considerations and common deadlines

Certain dates in the lease and post-termination phases trigger rights and obligations; document them precisely to avoid disputes.

Lease effective date:

Date tenancy and rent obligations begin

Rent due date:

Monthly due date and grace period

Security deposit return:

State-specific deadline, commonly 14–60 days

Notice to terminate:

Typical 30- or 60-day notice per lease or law

Move-in inspection:

Document condition at possession to avoid later disputes

Milestones from offer to move-out inspection

Track the signed agreement through execution, move-in, mid-term actions, and move-out to support compliance and claims.

01

Offer and acceptance

Prospective tenant signs offer and pays hold deposit.

02

Execution of lease

All signers date and return fully executed agreement.

03

Move-in inspection

Document existing damage and note appliances included.

04

Move-out and settlement

Inspect, itemize deductions, and return security deposit.

Frequent mistakes to avoid when drafting or signing

  • Using informal or inconsistent names for parties, which can create ambiguity and enforcement problems.
  • Failing to record the exact lease start and end dates, leading to disputes over holdover rents.
  • Leaving deposit handling vague or inconsistent with state law, risking statutory penalties and interest.
  • Omitting signature blocks for all required parties, or failing to capture signature dates and witness lines when required.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete leases

Enforceability risk: Missing or incorrect names
Deposit penalties: Improper withholding costs
Repair liability: Unclear maintenance terms
Eviction delays: Defective notices prolong process
Regulatory fines: Failure to register or disclose
Data exposure: Poor document security

Supporting documents and export options to include

Attach key exhibits and use compatible export formats to keep a complete, accessible tenancy file for audits and disputes.

Move‑in Checklist

Document condition with photos and signatures to support deposit adjudication and damage claims.

ID and Proofs

Attach government ID and proof of income or guarantor documents for tenant screening and records.

Pet Addendum

Specify pet rules, deposits, and liability for damage or nuisance behavior.

Export Formats

Save executed leases as PDF/A and retain signed copy and audit trail for records.

Real-world examples of online lease workflows

These brief case sketches show how organizations apply electronic signing to tenancy agreements in practice.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties moved leases online to eliminate in-person signing delays and preserve compliance.

  • They used mobile-ready signing and audit trails.
  • Result: staff processed lease documents remotely with built-in security, allowing faster move-ins while keeping consistent records for disputes and inspections.

Optica Ventures LLC

A small investor group standardized lease templates to reduce drafting time and errors.

  • Templates included deposit and maintenance exhibits.
  • Result: consistent lease language across properties reduced tenant disputes and simplified property manager onboarding while protecting legal rights.

How signNow compares on price and core features

Basic pricing and key capability comparisons for eSignature providers. signNow appears first for reference; verify vendor details before purchasing.

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 by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
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 by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

FAQs and troubleshooting for tenancy agreements

Answers to common questions about validity, e-signing, notary needs, and recordkeeping for Residential Tenancy Agreements.


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