Rent Agreement / Lease Starting Draft (Word)
A plain-English residential rent agreement to start from, so you do not begin with a blank page or a photocopy of someone else's agreement. It covers the parties, the property, rent and due date, security deposit and its return, the term and renewal, use of the property, repairs, utilities, entry by the landlord, notice and ending the tenancy, plus an inventory schedule and signature blocks. It is a starting draft only: tenancy law, stamp duty and registration differ by country, state and city, so have it checked before anyone signs.
Free · no sign-up · opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice and WPS Office. Files contain no macros.
Preview
Real view of the file with its sample data (yellow cells are where you type).
| STARTING DRAFT – CHECK LOCAL LAW BEFORE SIGNING This is a general template, not legal advice. Tenancy law, deposit limits, notice periods, stamp duty and registration rules differ by country, state and city. Have this draft checked by a lawyer or a qualified local agent, adapt it, and delete this box before printing. |
RENT AGREEMENT (RESIDENTIAL LEASE)
This Rent Agreement is made on [DD-MM-YYYY] at [City] between:
| Landlord | [Full name], [son / daughter / wife] of [ ], aged [ ] |
| Landlord address | [Permanent address] |
| Landlord ID / PAN | [ ] |
| Landlord phone, email | [ ] |
| Tenant | [Full name], [son / daughter / wife] of [ ], aged [ ] |
| Tenant permanent address | [ ] |
| Tenant ID | [ ] |
The Landlord and the Tenant agree as follows:
1. Property
The Landlord lets to the Tenant the residential property at [full address with flat number, floor, building, locality, city, PIN / postcode] ("the Property"), described in Schedule 1, together with the fittings and furniture listed in Schedule 2.
2. Term
The tenancy starts on [DD-MM-YYYY] and ends on [DD-MM-YYYY], a period of [11] months, unless ended earlier under clause 18 or renewed under clause 17.
3. Rent
The monthly rent is [currency] [amount] ([amount in words]), payable in advance on or before the [5th] day of each month. The rent [includes / does not include] society or maintenance charges of [currency] [ ] per month.
4. Payment and receipts
Rent will be paid by [bank transfer / UPI / cheque] to the Landlord's account [account name, number, bank, IFSC / sort code]. The Landlord will give a signed receipt for every payment on request, including any receipt the Tenant needs for a house rent allowance claim.
5. Late payment
If rent is not received within [7] days of the due date, the Tenant will pay a late fee of [currency] [ ] [per day / once per month], unless the delay is agreed in writing. [Delete this clause if late fees are not allowed where the Property is.]
6. Security deposit
The Tenant has paid a refundable security deposit of [currency] [amount] ([amount in words]) by [mode, reference] on [DD-MM-YYYY], equal to [two] months' rent. No interest is payable on the deposit [unless local law requires it]. The deposit cannot be used by the Tenant as rent for the last months.
7. Return of the deposit
The Landlord will return the deposit within [15] days after the Tenant hands back vacant possession and all keys, after deducting only: unpaid rent, unpaid utility bills, and the reasonable cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear, each shown in writing with bills. The condition on the move-in inspection checklist signed by both parties will be the starting point.
8. Utilities and other charges
The Tenant will pay electricity, water, gas, internet and [ ] bills for the tenancy period directly or as billed. Opening meter readings are recorded on the move-in checklist. Property tax, building insurance and [ ] will be paid by the Landlord.
9. Use of the Property
The Property will be used only as a private residence for the Tenant and the family members named here: [names]. It will not be used for any business, illegal or immoral purpose, and the Tenant will follow the rules of the housing society or building.
10. Guests
Guests may stay for up to [14] days at a time. Longer stays need the Landlord's written consent.
11. Subletting
The Tenant will not sublet, assign or part with possession of the whole or any part of the Property, or take paying guests, without the Landlord's written consent.
12. Day-to-day repairs
The Tenant will keep the Property clean and in good condition and will pay for minor repairs up to [currency] [ ] each, such as bulbs, tap washers and blocked drains caused by misuse.
13. Major repairs
The Landlord will carry out structural repairs and repairs to wiring, plumbing, roof, walls and appliances provided by the Landlord, within a reasonable time after the Tenant reports them in writing. In an emergency the Tenant may arrange an urgent repair and claim the cost against bills.
…
What's inside
- A clear "starting draft, check local law" box at the top that you delete once a professional has reviewed it
- 20 numbered clauses in plain English with [brackets] for every detail you must fill: rent, due day, late fee, deposit, lock-in, notice period, rent increase, utilities, pets, subletting
- Schedule 1: description of the property; Schedule 2: fittings and furniture inventory table with condition
- Signature blocks for landlord, tenant and two witnesses
- Notes for India: the 11-month practice, stamp duty, registration, police verification and the Model Tenancy Act
How to use it
- Download the file and open it in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice Writer.
- Read the whole draft once. Delete clauses that do not fit your situation and add any that your local law or society rules require.
- Replace every [bracketed] item. Use Find (Ctrl + F) and search for "[" until none are left.
- Fill Schedule 2 with every item of furniture and every appliance, with its condition. Use the Move-in / Move-out Checklist in this toolkit for the detailed room-by-room record.
- Have the draft checked by a lawyer or a local agent who knows the tenancy rules where the property is, then print it on the right stamp paper or e-stamp if your state requires it.
- Both parties sign every page; the witnesses sign at the end. Register it where the law requires and give the tenant a copy.
Tips
- Write the deposit amount, the rent and the notice period both in figures and in words.
- Agree in writing how the deposit will be returned and within how many days of the keys being handed back.
- Attach copies of both parties' ID and the property's ownership proof if your local practice requires it.
- In India many agreements are made for 11 months because a lease from year to year or for more than one year must be registered; stamp duty still applies to the 11-month agreement and its amount depends on the state.
Questions and answers
Is this a legally valid agreement?
It is a starting draft written in common, simple terms. Whether an agreement is valid and enforceable depends on the law where the property is: stamp duty, registration, notice periods and deposit limits all vary. Have it checked by a professional before signing.
Why do Indian rent agreements run for 11 months?
Under the Registration Act, a lease from year to year or for a term of more than one year must be registered, which means a visit to the sub-registrar and higher costs. An agreement for 11 months avoids that requirement, though it still needs the correct stamp duty.
What is the Model Tenancy Act?
A model law released by the Government of India in 2021 for states to adopt. Where a state has adopted it in some form, there can be rules on the security deposit cap, a written agreement and informing a Rent Authority. Check whether your state follows it.
Can I use this outside India?
Yes. The clauses are written for any country; delete the India notes at the end and follow your local rules on deposits, notice and registration.