Checklist
Lease Signing Checklist
What to confirm before you and your new tenant sign — a state-specific lease, the deposit, required disclosures, house rules, complete signatures, and copies for everyone.
- Use a state-specific lease Landlord-tenant law varies widely by state. A generic template downloaded online can be unenforceable or illegal where you operate.
- Confirm the rent amount and due date Spell out how much, when it is due, how to pay, and any grace period. Clarity here prevents most rent disputes.
- State the lease term clearly Start date, end date, and what happens at the end. Define whether it converts to month-to-month or requires renewal.
- Set the security deposit correctly Many states cap the amount and dictate how it is held and returned. Follow your state's rules to the letter.
- Include all required disclosures Lead-based paint for older homes and any state-mandated notices. Missing disclosures can void protections or trigger penalties.
- Spell out who pays which utilities List every utility and assign responsibility. Ambiguity here leads to unpaid bills and arguments later.
- Define the maintenance responsibilities State what the tenant handles, what you handle, and how to report repairs. Clear expectations reduce friction all year.
- Attach the house rules and policies Pets, smoking, occupancy limits, and parking. Putting policies in writing makes them enforceable rather than wishful.
- List every adult occupant on the lease Anyone living there should be named and should sign. Unlisted occupants are hard to hold accountable.
- Complete a written move-in condition report Document the unit's condition with the tenant and have both parties sign. This protects the deposit at move-out for everyone.
- Review the lease together before signing Walk through the key terms with the tenant. A tenant who understands the lease is far less likely to break it.
- Collect signatures from all parties Every adult tenant and the landlord or agent must sign and date. An unsigned page is an unenforceable page.
- Collect the deposit and first rent before keys Funds should clear before you hand over keys. Use a method you can verify rather than relying on a promise.
- Give the tenant a complete signed copy Provide a full copy and keep your own. Both sides should be able to reference the exact same document at any time.
The lease is the contract that governs everything between you and your tenant, so this is no place to rush or improvise. A solid lease is state-specific, complete, and signed by every adult who will live in the unit, with the deposit and first rent collected before any key changes hands. Walk through this list together with your tenant, make sure both of you understand the terms, and you will start the tenancy with clear expectations and far less room for dispute.