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Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement

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Residential Tenancy Agreement

Where to go for help when you are renting

1. NSW Fair Trading looks after your bond money and manages the renting laws that cover this tenancy agreement. If you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities under this agreement, contact Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20. Language assistance on 13 14 50 (ask for an interpreter in your language) TTY 1300 723 404.

2. Your real estate agent or landlord (write contact number here):

3. Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service at www.tenants.org.au

Schedule 1 Standard Form Agreement (not exceeding 3 years) (Clause 6 (1) (a))

Part 1: Terms of agreement

THIS AGREEMENT is made on at NSW

BETWEEN LANDLORD:

(Name/s):

(ACN):

(Address):

(Name of landlord’s agent):

(ACN):

(Address):

AND TENANT:

(Name/s):

Other people who will ordinarily live at the premises may be listed here [cross out if not needed]:

PREMISES:

The landlord gives the tenant the right to occupy the premises at:

and the following parking space and storeroom [cross out if not needed]:

The premises are furnished/unfurnished

The furniture and furnishings set out in the condition report are included.

No more than persons may ordinarily live in the premises at any one time.

RENT:

The rent is $ payable every starting on

The tenant must pay in advance on the of every

The rent must be paid:

(a) to the landlord, or the landlord’s agent, at

(b) at any other reasonable place the landlord names in writing, or

(c) into the following account

Payment must be made by the following method:

TERM:

The term of this agreement is , beginning on and ending on

RENTAL BOND [cross out if there is not going to be a bond]:

A rental bond of $ must be paid by the tenant to the landlord or the landlord’s agent on or before signing this agreement.

The Agreement

1. The landlord agrees to give the tenant:

1.1 a copy of this agreement at or before the time the agreement is signed and given by the tenant to the landlord or a person on the landlord’s behalf, and

1.2 a copy of the agreement signed by both the landlord and the tenant as soon as reasonably practicable.

Rent

2. The tenant agrees to pay rent on time.

3. The landlord agrees to provide a receipt for any rent paid to the landlord or to ensure that the landlord’s agent provides a receipt for any rent paid to the agent.

Tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment

7. The landlord agrees that the tenant will have quiet enjoyment of the residential premises without interruption by the landlord or any person claiming by, through or under the landlord or having superior title to that of the landlord.

Additional terms

Additional terms may be included in this agreement if they do not conflict with the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 or any other Act.

ANY ADDITIONAL TERMS ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW AND ARE NEGOTIABLE.

Additional term about water

[Cross out this clause if it is not applicable]

29. The tenant agrees to pay for all water used during the term of the agreement.

Notes

1. Definitions

In this agreement, “landlord” means the person who grants the right to occupy residential premises under this agreement, and includes the person’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

“landlord’s agent” means a person who acts as the agent of the landlord and who carries on business as an agent for the letting of residential premises or the collection of rents payable for any tenancy of residential premises.

“residential premises” means any premises or part of premises used or intended to be used as a place of residence.

“tenant” means the person who has the right to occupy residential premises under this agreement, and includes the person’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

The landlord and tenant enter into this agreement (which includes the condition report) and agree to all its terms.

Signed by the landlord in the presence of

[Name of witness]

[Signature of landlord]:

[Signature of witness]:

Signed by the tenant in the presence of

[Name of witness]

[Signature of tenant]:

[Signature of witness]:

The tenant acknowledges that, at or before the time of signing this residential tenancy agreement, the tenant was given a copy of the Renting guide: Your basic rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as published by NSW Fair Trading.

[Signature of tenant]:

Part 2: Condition report

Address of premises

Condition of premises at START of tenancy

Condition of premises at END of tenancy

WATER METER READING:

FURNITURE: (See attached list)

Landlord/agent’s signature:

Tenant’s signature:

Date:

Landlord’s promise to undertake work [Delete if not required]

The landlord agrees to undertake the following cleaning, repairs, additions or other work during the tenancy:

The landlord agrees to complete that work by:

Sample condition report items

The following items are commonly checked in the condition report: entrance, lounge, dining, kitchen, laundry, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, bedroom 3, other room, bathroom, general areas, and supporting items such as walls/ceiling, doors/windows/screens, blinds/curtains, lights/power points, floor coverings, heating, bath, shower, wash basin, toilet, stove, oven, exhaust fan, store room/shed, balcony/porch, garage/car port, gates/fences, grounds/garden, smoke alarms, and other fixtures.

Additional comments

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What the Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement Is

The Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement is a written contract that records the core terms governing a tenant's occupancy of a residential property. It identifies the parties and the premises, specifies rent, payment schedule, security deposit, lease term, permitted occupants, utilities allocation, maintenance responsibilities, default remedies, and any special provisions such as pet rules or parking. The form standardizes routine lease language to reduce ambiguity, supports compliance with state landlord–tenant statutes, and can be executed electronically where ESIGN and applicable state electronic signature laws allow.

Why a Standard Form Matters for Landlords and Tenants

A consistent residential tenancy agreement reduces disputes by documenting obligations, disclosure items, and timelines, while helping landlords meet statutory notice and deposit requirements. A clear written lease supports enforcement in court, simplifies renewals, and preserves evidence for administrative or tax purposes without replacing state-specific disclosures or supplemental local notices.

Why a Standard Form Matters for Landlords and Tenants

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Common users include landlords, property managers, tenant applicants, and third-party guarantors who complete or receive the document.

  • Individual landlords and small owners who need a clear, repeatable lease form to manage one or several rental units.
  • Property management companies that standardize onboarding across portfolios and require consistent language for maintenance and fees.
  • Tenants and guarantors who use the form to understand occupancy rules, payment obligations, and move-in condition expectations.

Once signed, the agreement becomes the principal contract for rent collection, deposit handling, habitability obligations, and dispute resolution.

Roles That Must Review and Sign the Agreement

Landlord / Manager

The landlord or authorized property manager signs to bind the owner to rent, repair, and notice obligations; they should verify ownership authority, include the correct payee for rent, and maintain records for compliance and dispute resolution.

Tenant / Occupant

The tenant signs to accept lease terms, pay rent, and follow use rules; tenants should confirm full legal names, authorized occupants, move-in condition, and contact information to avoid enforcement or deposit disputes.

Essential Information to Include on the Form

Property address: Street, unit, city
Parties' legal names: Full legal names only
Lease term: Start and end dates
Rent and deposit: Amount and due date
Utilities allocation: Who pays which bills
Signatures and dates: All required signatures

Primary Sections Found in a Professional Tenancy Agreement

A complete standard lease groups related terms into distinct sections so parties can find obligations easily and reduce interpretation disputes.

Parties and premises

Identifies landlord, tenant, any guarantor, and the precise unit or dwelling; correct identification is essential for service of notices and enforcement.

Term and renewal

Specifies fixed-term or month-to-month tenancy, effective date, termination process, and renewal or holdover rules to avoid ambiguity about occupancy status.

Rent and deposits

States rent amount, payment method, late fees, grace periods, and security deposit handling including conditions for return and lawful deductions.

Maintenance and repairs

Allocates responsibility for routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and instructions for reporting defects; clarifies who pays for damaged fixtures or misuse.

Use and restrictions

Covers permitted occupants, subletting, pets, smoking, noise, and business use to protect habitability and comply with insurance or HOA rules.

Default and remedies

Describes tenant default, cure periods, eviction steps, landlord remedies, and how disputes will be handled to set expectations and legal recourse.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Standard Tenancy Agreement

Follow this practical sequence to prepare, review, and finalize a residential tenancy agreement correctly.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect IDs, property details, and payment information.
  • 02
    Populate fields: Enter names, dates, rent, and deposit values precisely.
  • 03
    Review clauses: Check maintenance, access, and default language for clarity.
  • 04
    Execute signatures: Have all parties sign and retain copies.

Where to Send or File the Completed Agreement

After execution, route copies to relevant parties and retain records according to legal and business needs.

  • Tenant copy: Deliver a signed copy to the tenant for their records.
  • Landlord file: Keep an executed original or certified electronic copy in owner records.
  • Local rent board: Submit required disclosures to the municipal housing authority where mandated.
  • Deposit receipts: Provide written deposit receipt and account details when required.

Digital Signing, Formats, and Integration Considerations

Use a platform that supports PDF and DOCX uploads, secure audit trails, and optional authentication for signers.

  • Supported formats: PDF, DOCX, and searchable exports
  • Integrations: Syncs with CRM and storage (Salesforce, Google Workspace)
  • Compliance: Supports ESIGN, UETA, and audit trails

Ensure the provider can generate a tamper-evident signed PDF with an audit trail and integrate with your accounting or property management systems for streamlined operations.

Key Dates and Typical Timing to Track

Identify and communicate the critical dates to avoid compliance failures and tenant disputes.

Lease effective date:

Date tenancy begins and rent obligations start.

Rent due schedule:

Monthly or periodic due dates as stated in lease.

Security deposit return:

Return timeline varies by state; commonly 14–30 days.

Notice to vacate:

Notice periods for termination or nonrenewal vary by term and state.

Renewal window:

Timeframe when landlord or tenant must provide renewal notice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Lease

  • Using informal or incomplete party names that later complicate service of notices or legal enforcement.
  • Leaving ambiguous maintenance responsibilities which lead to disagreement over repair costs and habitability claims.
  • Failing to specify rent payment methods and late fee policies that create collection and accounting disputes.
  • Neglecting to attach required state or local disclosures, which can make certain lease provisions unenforceable.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Agreement

Unenforceable terms: Court may refuse enforcement
Deposit disputes: Statutory claims and damages
Eviction delays: Procedural defects slow process
Statutory penalties: Local fines or treble damages
Tax reporting risk: Missing records hinder deductions
Privacy exposure: Mishandled tenant data violates rules

Real-World Examples of Electronic Lease Execution

Organizations use electronic execution to speed lease turnaround, reduce paper, and maintain secure audit trails.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties needed remote execution to serve distributed tenants and staff.

  • Result: faster turnaround and full compliance.
  • Tim Martin, Founder, said: "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures

A small investor required simple signing for multiple units and clients.

  • Result: easier tenant onboarding and fewer walk-throughs.
  • Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, noted the interface is simple and easy to use for both staff and customers, improving the execution experience across transactions.

Practical Best Practices for Accurate and Enforceable Leases

Adopt these best practices to minimize disputes, strengthen enforceability, and simplify recordkeeping.

Use precise party and property IDs
Always use full legal names and an exact premises description; include unit numbers and mailing addresses to ensure notices and court filings correctly identify the subject property and parties.
Spell out payment mechanics
Specify rent amount, due dates, acceptable payment methods, late fees, and where payments are remitted to prevent collection disputes and support accounting reconciliation.
Document move-in condition
Attach a signed move-in checklist and photos to the lease to reduce deposit disputes; note existing damage and agreed repairs in writing.
Keep audit-ready records
Retain executed copies, payment receipts, and communications; ensure electronic signatures generate tamper-evident PDFs and an audit trail with timestamps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Standard Residential Tenancy Agreements

Answers to common questions about electronic execution, notarization, retention, and dispute handling for tenancy agreements.


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eSignature Pricing Comparison for Executing Tenancy Agreements

Pricing and capabilities for common eSignature vendors. signNow appears first as requested; compare baseline features and compliance relevant to tenancy workflows.

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 No trial No trial Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

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