Short-Term Lease Agreement

A Short-Term Lease Agreement is an arrangement that lets a tenant use a property for a short period. Instead of a full lease term, you may want to let a tenant stay in your property for only a few months or less.

This document gives you the power to define the lease term and clarify expectations for your tenant.

What is a Short-Term Lease Agreement?

A short-term lease agreement usually refers to a lease that lasts less than six months. They are generally month-to-month rental agreements that may or may not renew at the end of every month.

In addition to traditional renting, they are helpful for rental agreements, short-term stays, and even vacation rentals. 

Some agreements may even renew weekly if the short-term lease agreement permits it. Ultimately, your options are flexible in finding a situation that helps you and your tenant agree.

Many landlords simply allow the old lease to continue and “have an understanding” with their tenants that they will leave soon. This opens you up to legal risk and may require evicting a tenant who overstays their welcome.

You can avoid this and other potential issues with a free short-term lease agreement.

Why Do You Need a Short-Term Lease Agreement?

Too many landlords deal with short-term leases verbally and never put them in writing. Failure to write the details will likely make a contract unenforceable should a dispute arise later.

A written agreement protects your rights as the landlord. Create a free short-term lease agreement to help prevent messy evictions and enforce those rights.

When Do You Use a Short-Term Lease Agreement?

You should use a short-term lease agreement when renting a property to a tenant for six months or less. Most leases are for a year, but sometimes you or the tenant want flexibility and a shorter lease term.

A short-term lease agreement gives you the power to create the landlord-tenant relationship you want.

Local Laws and Requirements

Your state and city set laws and regulations on landlord/tenant relationships. Even if it’s a short-term stay or a vacation rental, you need to understand these laws and how they apply to a short-term lease agreement.

Some states permit more flexibility when the landlord and tenant agree, while others strictly limit how to create or alter a tenancy. Protect yourself by knowing your local laws and requirements.

What to Include in a Short-Term Lease Agreement?

A short-term lease agreement should include information such as the following:

• The names and identifying information of the landlord and tenant
• The address subject to the short-term lease agreement
• The length of the lease term (weekly, monthly, six months, etc.)
• How the lease term renews, or whether the landlord and tenant may not renew it
• The amount of rent and when it is due
• Any additional lease terms (i.e., pets, number of people in the home, etc.)
• Signatures of the parties