Documents / Real Estate
Residential Lease Agreement
A complete lease for renting a house, apartment, or condo — rent, deposit, utilities, pets, maintenance, and more.
Time
~10 min
Questions
29
Steps
6
Export
PDF · Word
You will answer guided questions with a live preview, then export, share, or send for e-signature. Free during launch.
What we will cover
- 01
Landlord & Tenant
- 02
The Property
- 03
Lease Term
- 04
Rent & Deposit
- 05
Utilities & House Policies
- 06
Legal Details
- 07
Review and generate
AI review, edits, export, and e-signature.
State-specific versions
This document adapts to any US state during the interview. These pages cover what changes in the states where the differences matter most.
About this document
A residential lease is the contract that governs the entire landlord–tenant relationship: rent, deposit, maintenance, guests, pets, and what happens when things go wrong. A handshake or a two-line agreement leaves both sides exposed — most disputes trace back to a term nobody wrote down.
Lease rules are heavily state-specific. Security-deposit caps and return deadlines, required disclosures (like the federal lead-paint notice for pre-1978 buildings), notice periods, and late-fee limits all vary. Quill's interview asks where the property is and flags the terms your state cares about, but for unusual situations — rent control, Section 8, mobile homes — check your state's landlord-tenant act.
Common questions
Does a lease need to be notarized?+
In nearly all states, no — a residential lease is binding once both parties sign. A small number of states require notarization only for long multi-year leases. E-signatures are valid for leases under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws.
How much can I charge for a security deposit?+
Many states cap deposits at one to two months' rent and set a deadline (commonly 14–45 days after move-out) to return it with an itemized list of deductions. Check your state's rule before setting the amount.
Month-to-month or fixed term — which should I pick?+
A fixed term (usually 12 months) gives both sides stability and locks the rent. Month-to-month offers flexibility but can be ended by either party with proper notice, usually 30 days. Quill supports both, including auto-conversion to month-to-month at the end of a fixed term.
General information, not legal advice — laws vary by state and change over time.
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Sublease Agreement
Sublet your rental to a subtenant — rent, deposit, and the master-lease terms both parties need to honor.