Rental agreement template: free template

Rental agreement template: free template

Whether we own a home we want to rent out or we are going to be the users of a leased property, we will need to use a rental agreement template to include all the necessary conditions to formalize it and have some security during the time the property is ceded.

Importance of the rental agreement

The rental agreement is the document that contains all the conditions of the agreement between landlord and tenant for the use of a dwelling in exchange for a monthly rent. This document reflects aspects such as the duration of the contract, the price and method of payment, and the conditions of use of the property.

The importance of the rental agreement lies in the fact that it is the document that provides the necessary legal certainty for both parties and with which claims can be made in court. In this sense, the contract sets out all the rights of the landlord and tenant, as well as the obligations of each.

Who benefits from a rental agreement

As we have said, the rental agreement is of great importance to both the landlord and the tenant. But, more specifically, the rental agreement serves for:

• Homeowners who habitually rent them out as a permanent residence.
• Owners of commercial premises whose purpose is to carry out a commercial activity in them.
• Homeowners who want to rent their properties for tourism purposes, for example through Airbnb or similar platforms.
• Individuals who rent their usual home.
• Companies whose commercial establishment is leased.
• Tourists who rent homes to stay in during their visit to a city.
• Owners and tenants of garage spaces.
• Lessors and lessees of motor vehicles or machinery.

Although these are the most common users, there are as many types of contracts as there are goods that can be leased, each with its own peculiarities.

Parts of a rental agreement

Although a rental agreement can include all clauses agreed upon by both parties, there are minimum parts that it must include to comply with current legislation.

The minimum parts of a rental agreement are:

• Parties to the lease agreement. These are the lessor and the lessee. The full names and identification document numbers of each, as well as other useful information, will be included.
• Purpose of the lease agreement. This section will identify the leased property and specify the use or objective of the rental. In addition, the energy efficiency certificate will be included.
• Clauses and conditions of the lease agreement. Some of the points included within these conditions are:
• Regulation. Applicable regulations, such as the Urban Leases Act (LAU).
• Object and delivery of possession. The property is specified, and its delivery to the tenant for use.
• Duration and extension. The duration of the contract is established, which, in the case of a habitual residence, cannot be less than five years for individuals or seven for companies and can be extended for up to three more years. For rural leases, the contract has a duration of five years renewable for another five.
• Recovery of the property. When the use of the property will be returned to its owner and under what conditions.
• Withdrawal. The time during which it is possible to retract from signing the contract.
• Rent and update. The monthly amount to be paid and the increases it will have in successive years.
• Expenses and services. The expenses associated with the rental and who will pay each of them.
• Deposit and guarantees. The amount the tenant will pay as a deposit and the required guarantees.
• Conservation and works. It is established whose responsibility it is to maintain the property and the possibility or not of the tenant carrying out works.
• Assignment and sublease. Whether it is permitted or not.
• Termination of the contract. Reasons for which the lease agreement will end.

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There are significant differences between rental agreements depending on their purpose, whether it is a habitual residence lease or for tourism purposes, whether it is an urban or rural property, or even if it is not a dwelling.

However, it is possible to use the following rental agreement template; it is a free template that can be modified according to the needs of the parties.

The rental agreement is the document that contains all the conditions of the lease and is therefore of great importance. It serves a multitude of lessors and lessees and must include minimum data, such as the identification of the parties and the property or the duration, as well as the clauses and conditions that will govern the rental.

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