Residential Lease
Create a residential lease agreement for landlords and tenants
Commercial Lease
Create a commercial lease for offices, retail, or warehouse space
Home Improvement Contract
Define renovation scope, pricing, and project expectations
Solar Lease Agreement
Lease property for solar installation with clear terms
Real estate documents for landlords, tenants, and homeowners
Property disputes are almost always about something that was never written down: who pays for repairs, when the deposit comes back, what happens if the tenant leaves early. A written lease or contractor agreement settles those questions before they become arguments, and in most states certain lease terms are only enforceable if they are in writing.
These templates cover the four situations we see most: renting out a home, leasing commercial space, hiring a renovation contractor, and leasing property for solar panels. Each one prompts you for the state-specific details, like deposit amounts and notice periods, that landlord-tenant law cares about.
Which real estate document do you need?
Residential Lease
You are renting out a house, apartment, or condo and need rent, security deposit, lease term, maintenance duties, and house rules in writing.
Commercial Lease
You are leasing office, retail, or warehouse space. Covers base rent, CAM charges, permitted use, insurance, and renewal options that residential leases lack.
Home Improvement Contract
You are hiring (or working as) a contractor on a renovation and need scope, materials, a milestone payment schedule, and change order procedures agreed upfront.
Solar Lease Agreement
You are leasing roof space or land for solar panels and need system specs, lease payments, maintenance, access rights, and removal obligations defined.
Common real estate contract mistakes
- Using a residential lease for commercial space: Commercial tenancies have different rules on deposits, repairs, and eviction, and need clauses like CAM charges and permitted use that residential forms omit.
- Ignoring state security deposit rules: Most states cap deposit amounts and set strict return deadlines with itemized deductions. A lease clause cannot override them, so know your state's limits.
- Paying contractors large sums upfront: Tie payments to completed milestones in the written agreement. Several states legally cap the deposit a home improvement contractor may collect.
- Assuming the lease overrides tenant protections: Habitability requirements, notice periods, and entry rules come from state and local law. Clauses that contradict them are unenforceable even if signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write my own lease agreement without a lawyer?
Yes. A lease you draft yourself is valid as long as it complies with your state's landlord-tenant law on things like deposit limits, required disclosures (such as lead paint for pre-1978 housing), and notice periods. A template gets the structure right; you fill in the state-specific numbers.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial lease?
Residential leases are heavily regulated to protect tenants, with habitability rules and deposit caps. Commercial leases are mostly freedom of contract: the parties negotiate CAM charges, build-outs, permitted use, and personal guarantees, and consumer protections generally do not apply.
Does a lease need to be notarized to be valid?
In most states, no. A lease signed by both parties is binding. A few states require notarization or recording for long-term leases, commonly those over one to three years, so check your state's rule if the term is long.
Note: These templates are a starting point, not legal advice. Every situation is unique, so for complex matters have your document reviewed by a qualified attorney, or use TheLawGPT's AI assistant to understand the requirements that apply to you.