Washington D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

By Type (15 )

Standard Lease

1-Page

Commercial

Condominium

Equipment

Member of the family

Hunting (Land)

Month-to-Month

Parking Space

Rent-to-Own

Roommate

Storage Space

Sublease

Vacation (short-term)

Weekly

The Leasing Process (8 steps)

Housing Statistics

- 33.6% of U.S. households are occupants (44 million). [1] [2]- 68.2% of leases are fixed-term. [3]- 31.8% of leases are month-to-month.
- 30% of a tenant's income (on average) is spent on lease. [4]

1. Tenant Views the Space

The tenant's first step in the leasing procedure is seeing the area. This is typically after seeing photos of the residential or commercial property on a site where it was listed.

Renting Trends (2023 )

91% of occupants use a website or mobile app when browsing, and 19% make an application for housing without needing an in-person trip. [5]

2. Obtain a Rental Application

Before a deal is accepted, the property owner normally demands an occupant to finish a rental application and pay a little charge (view maximum fees by state). The most typical charge was $50 in 2023. [6]

Applicant Details

- Applicant's name & address
- Employment details
- Income verification
- Previous property owners
- Consent (to run a credit check)

3. Screen the Applicant

Use the rental application to run a consumer report. This consists of running a credit report and searching public records (expulsion search, background check, etc).

Recommended Services

- Limited ($ 21) - RentPrep.com
- Detailed ($ 40) - MySmartMove.com

4. Verify References

The candidate's employer and previous property owners must be gotten in touch with. This uses insight into the candidate's character and if they pay their rent on time.

Questions to Ask a Previous Landlord

- Was rent paid on time during the occupancy?
- Did the renter breach the lease?
- What was the reason for leaving the residential or commercial property?
- Was there damage made on the residential or commercial property?
- Would you re-rent to the occupant again?

5. Negotiate the Lease

Once a renter is approved, the celebrations will begin working out the rental terms. If the tenant is a creditworthy person, they may have the ability to get a much better offer due to their financial status.

Negotiation Items

- Monthly rent ($).
- Security deposit.
- Utilities.
- Fees (e.g., parking, pets, garbage, and so on)

6. Lease Signing

When both celebrations sign the lease it ends up being legally binding until completion of its term. The most common methods to sign are in-person or digitally.

Required at Lease Signing

- First month's lease.
- Security deposit.
- Identification

7. Taking Occupancy

After signing the lease and making preliminary payments, the tenant should be provided access to the residential or commercial property at the start of the lease term. Generally, a tenant can stagnate into the residential or commercial property unless they have actually made an extra payment.

Inspecting the Residential or commercial property

To protect the security deposit, it is suggested that the tenant complete a move-in examination kind and note any existing residential or commercial property damage. In 2023, just 42% of occupants stated they got fully reimbursed on their down payment. [7]

8. End of Tenancy

The property owner will inform the renter of their objective to renew or end the lease in between 30 and 90 days before completion of the occupancy. If the property owner terminates the lease, the occupant's down payment will be returned after move-out.

Landlord's Options

Renew the Lease - By sending out a Lease Extension.
Terminate the Lease - By sending out a Non-Renewal Lease Letter.
Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security Deposit Laws.
Expand Collapse.
State Maximum ($).
Returning.
Statute.
Alabama 1 month's rent 60 days after the termination date and shipment of possession § 35-9A-201( a), 35-9A-201( b).
Alaska 2 months' lease, except for systems renting for more than $2,000 14 days if the tenant leaves on-time, 30 days if not § 34.03.070( a), § 34.03.070( g).
Arizona 1.5 months' rent 14 days from move-out examination (excl. weekends and vacations) § 33-1321.
Arkansas 2 months' lease 60 days from termination of occupancy § 18-16-304, § 18-16-305.
California 1 month's lease 21 days from the move-out date 1950.5.
Colorado 2 months' lease (excluding family pet deposits) 1 month if discussed in the lease, 2 months if not C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5

§ 38-12-103.
Connecticut 1 month's lease is 62 years or older, 2 months' lease if younger 21 days from the move-out date or 15 days from receiving the tenant's new address § 47a-21.
Delaware 1 month's rent for leases of one year or more. No limit on all others types 20 days from the termination date Title 25 § 5514.
Florida No limitation one month if reductions, 15 days if no reductions § 83.49( 3 )( a).
Georgia 2 months' lease thirty days from the termination date § 44-7-30.1

§ 44-7-34.
Hawaii 1 month's rent (leaving out animal cost) 14 days from the termination date § 521-44.
Idaho No limit 1 month if mentioned in the lease, 21 days if not § 6-321.
Illinois No limitation thirty days if deductions, 45 days if no deductions 765 ILCS 710.
Indiana No limit 45 days from the termination date § 32-31-3-12.
Iowa 2 months' rent 1 month after the occupant has actually abandoned § 562A.12.
Kansas 1 month's lease (unfurnished), 1.5 months' rent (furnished) 14 days after making deductions or 1 month from the termination date § 58-2550.
Kentucky No limit 60 days from the lease termination date § 383.580( 6 ).
Louisiana No limit 1 month from the termination date Revised Statute 9:3251.
Maine 2 months' lease one month if the lease is fixed-period, 21 days if tenancy-at-will § 6032, § 6033.
Maryland 1 month's lease 45 days from the termination date § 8-203.
Massachusetts 1 month's lease thirty days after the occupant has actually vacated Chapter 186, Section 15B.
Michigan 1.5 months' rent 30 days from completion of tenancy § 554.602, § 554.609.
Minnesota No limitation 3 weeks from the termination date § 504B.178.
Mississippi No limitation 45 days from the end of tenancy § 89-8-21.
Missouri 2 months' rent one month from the termination of occupancy § 535.300.
Montana No limitation one month if deductions, 10 days if no deductions § 70-25-202.
Nebraska 1 month's lease (leaving out pet charge) 14 days of move-out § 76-1416.
Nevada 3 months' lease 1 month from completion of occupancy NRS 118A.242.
New Hampshire 1 month's lease or $100, whichever is higher 30 days, 20 days if the residential or commercial property is shared with the landlord RSA 540-A:6, RSA 540-A:7.
New Jersey 1.5 months' rent thirty days from the termination date § 46:8 -21.2, § 46:8 -21.1.
New Mexico 1 month's rent for leases under one year. No limit for property leases of one year or more 1 month from the termination date § 47-8-18.
New york city 1 month's rent unless the deposit or advance is for a seasonal use dwelling system 14 days after the renter has vacated Emergency Tenant Protection Act 576/74( f), § 7-108 (e).
North Carolina 2 months' lease for tenancies of more than 2 months; 1.5 months' rent for month-to-month occupancies thirty days if no deductions, if deductions then an additional thirty days § 42-51, § 42-52.
North Dakota 1 month's lease (excluding animal deposits) 30 days from the termination date § 47-16-07.1.
Ohio No limit one month from the termination date § 5321.16.
Oklahoma No limit 45 days from the termination date § 41-115( B).
Oregon No limitation 31 days from the termination date § 90.300.
Pennsylvania 2 months' lease 30 days from the termination date § 250.511 a, § 250.512.
Rhode Island 1 month's rent 20 days from the termination date § 34-18-19.
South Carolina No limitation 30 days from the termination date § 27-40-410.
South Dakota 1 month's lease 2 week if no reductions, 45 days if reductions § 43-32-6.1, § 43-32-24.
Tennessee No limit thirty days from the termination date § 66-28-301.
Texas No limitation thirty days after the tenant has actually vacated § 92.103.
Utah No limitation one month from the termination date § 57-17-3.
Vermont No limit 2 week, 60 days if a seasonal residential or commercial property § 4461.
Virginia 2 months' lease 45 days from the termination date or the date the tenant vacates the house system, whichever happens last § 55.1-1226( A).
Washington No limitation thirty days from tenant's move-out date § 59.18.280.
West Virginia No limit 60 days after occupancy ends or 45 days after another tenant moves in, whichever much shorter § 37-6A-2.
Wisconsin No limitation 21 days from renter's job date § 134.06.
Wyoming No limit one month from lease termination or 15 days from receiving the renter's forwarding address, whichever is lesser § 1-21-1208( A)

Landlord's Access.
Expand Collapse.
State Required Notice Statute.
Alabama 2 days § 35-9A-303.
Alaska 24 hours § 34.03.140.
Arizona 2 days § 33-1343.
Arkansas N/A N/A.
California 24 for non-emergency, 2 days for the move-out assessment § 1954.
Colorado * N/A * N/A.
Connecticut Reasonable notice § 47a-16.
Delaware two days Title 25 § 5509.
Florida 24 hours § 83.53.
Georgia * N/A * N/A.
Hawaii 2 days § 521-53.
Idaho * N/A * N/A.
Illinois * N/A * N/A.
Indiana Reasonable notice § 32-31-5-6.
Iowa 24 hr § 562A.19.
Kansas Reasonable notification § 58-2557.
Kentucky 2 days § 383.615.
Louisiana * N/A * N/A.
Maine 24 hr § 6025.
Maryland * N/A * N/A.
Massachusetts Reasonable notification Sanitary Code (410.810 ).
Michigan * N/A * N/A.
Minnesota "Reasonable notification" of no less than 24 hr § 504B.211.
Mississippi * N/A * N/A.
Missouri * N/A * N/A.
Montana 24 hours § 70-24-312.
Nebraska 24 hours § 76-1423.
Nevada 24 hr NRS 118A.330.
New Hampshire Reasonable notification RSA 540-A:3.
New Jersey 1 day § 5:10 -5. 1
New Mexico 24 hours § 47-8-24
New York City * N/A * N/A.
North Carolina * N/A * N/A.
North Dakota Reasonable notification § 47-16-07.3.
Ohio 24 hr § 5321.04.
Oklahoma 1 day § 41-128.
Oregon 24 hours § 90.322.
Pennsylvania * N/A * N/A.
Rhode Island 2 days § 34-18-26.
South Carolina 24 hr § 27-40-530.
South Dakota 24 hours § 43-32-32.
Tennessee 24 hours § 66-28-403.
Texas * N/A * N/A.
Utah 24 hr § 57-22-4.
Vermont two days § 4460.
Virginia 24 hr § 55.1-1229( A).
Washington 2 days for repair work, 1 day for showings § 59.18.150.
West Virginia * N/A * N/A.
Wisconsin Advance Notice § 704.05( 2 ).
Wyoming * N/A * N/A

Collapse

When is Rent Due? (grace periods).
Expand Collapse.
State When is Rent Due? Laws.
Alabama On the due date (no grace duration) § 35-9A-161( c).
Alaska On the due date (no grace duration) AS 34.03.020( c).
Arizona On the due date (no grace duration) ARS 33-1314( c).
Arkansas On the due date in the lease, but there is a 5-day grace period before a late cost may be enforced § 18-17-401( b)( 1 ), § 18-17-701( b).
California On the due date (no grace period) CIV Code 1947.
Colorado Not defined, however there is a 7-day grace period before a late charge might be enforced C.R.S. § 38-12-105.
Connecticut 9-day grace period. § 47a-3a( a), § 47a-15a.
Delaware On the due date in the lease, however there is a 5-day grace duration before a late cost might be imposed Title 25, § 5501( b), Title 25, § 5501( d).
Florida On the due date (no grace period) § 83.46( 1 ).
Georgia Not specified No statute.
Hawaii On the due date (no grace duration) § 521-21( b).
Idaho Not specified No statute.
Illinois Not defined No statute.
Indiana Not specified No statute.
Iowa On the due date (no grace period) 562A.9( 3 ).
Kansas On the due date (no grace duration) § 58-2545( c).
Kentucky On the due date (no grace duration) § 383.565( 2 ).
Louisiana On the due date (no grace period) La. Civ. Code art. 2703( 1 ).
Maine 15-day grace duration Chapter 710, § 6028( 1 ).
Maryland On the due date (no grace period) § 8-401( a).
Massachusetts 30-day grace duration. Chapter 186, Section 15B( 1 )( c).
Michigan On the due date (no grace duration) § 554.131.
Minnesota Not specified No statute.
Mississippi Not defined No statute.
Missouri On the due date (no grace duration) Rev. § 535.060.
Montana On the due date (no grace period) § 70-24-201( 2 )( c).
Nebraska On the due date (no grace period) § 76-1414( 3 ).
Nevada On the due date (no grace period) NRS 118A.210( 1 ).
New Hampshire Not defined No statute.
New Jersey 5 service day grace duration § 2A:42 -6.1( 1 ).
New Mexico On the due date (no grace period) § 47-8-15( B).
New York 5-day grace period Housing Stability and Tenant Protection act of 2019.
North Carolina 4-day grace duration § 42-46( a).
North Dakota Not defined No statute.
Ohio Not defined No statute.
Oklahoma On the due date (no grace duration) § 41-109( B).
Oregon On the due date in the lease, however there is a 4-day grace duration before a late cost may be imposed § ORS 90.220( 7 )( a), ORS 90.260( 1 )( a)

Ga. Code § 44-7-16

Chicago only - $10.00 monthly for the very first $500.00 in monthly rent plus 5 percent monthly for any amount in excess of $500.00 in monthly lease for the late payment of lease. No statute

5-12-140( h).
Indiana Not specified No statute.
Iowa If the rent does not go beyond $700/month, the late fee can not surpass more than $12/day daily or $60/month.

If the lease is greater than $700/month, the late can not exceed more than $20/day or $100/month. 562A.9( 4 ).
Kansas Not specified No statute.
Kentucky Not defined No statute.
Louisiana Not specified No statute.
Maine 4% of the month-to-month lease quantity Chapter 710, § 6028( 2 ).
Maryland 5% of the regular monthly lease quantity Md.