Residential Lease Agreement

Who is it for?

Suited to property owners letting out a home, tenants looking for a long-term residence, and real-estate agents preparing a simple residential lease on behalf of the parties. It offers a quick framework for common scenarios such as moving in, furnished letting, or situations where a deposit will be collected. For a shop, office, or workplace lease, use the separate commercial lease template instead — this document is focused on residential use.

What should you write into a residential lease?

The basic skeleton of a residential lease is the parties' identity and contact details, the leased address, the monthly rent, the payment day, and the term. In practice, the most commonly forgotten items are the deposit clause, the furniture list, and who pays shared expenses. Filling in these fields greatly reduces later "we agreed verbally" disputes.

Write the start and end dates as calendar days. Even in open-ended relationships, it helps to document exactly when the parties actually started. Pinning down the payment day as a specific day of the month makes it easier to calculate dates in a late-payment notice.

For furnished properties, list each item as specifically as possible — by brand, model, or room. Keeping dated photos taken at handover provides strong support in move-out damage disputes.

Deposit, dues, and rules of use

A deposit is collected to secure the property against damage beyond normal wear and tear, or to guarantee rent/dues debts. Keeping the amount reasonable and spelling out the refund conditions (inspection, damage offset, timeframe) protects both parties.

If the contract doesn't state whether building/site dues, fuel share, or elevator maintenance belong to the tenant or the landlord, friction commonly arises in practice. If a use restricted by the management plan (pets, noise, commercial activity) is to be banned, write that too.

If renovation or structural-change permission is being requested for the unit, planning ahead that any permission will be in writing and that identity details will be shared with the management speeds things up. You can expand the early-termination and renovation fields in the detailed version as needed.

Signing, handover, and documentation

Sign two copies of the contract; each party should keep one. Recording meter readings and the unit's condition in a brief handover record or with photos at key handover clarifies later "that's how I received it" claims.

Notarization isn't mandatory for residential leases, but the parties may still prefer a notarized copy for high-value or long-term relationships. What matters most is that the signed text is clear and consistent.

Paying rent by bank transfer or EFT, with the period noted in the description line, makes proof easier compared with cash payment. Keep receipts or bank statements together with the contract.

Usage notes

• Write the property address completely with province, district, neighborhood, street, and unit number.
• If a deposit is collected, keep it within three months' rent — the form validation also enforces this.
• For furnished lettings, fill in the inventory list room by room and keep photos if possible.
• State clearly, in an additional clause or note field, who is responsible for dues, subscriptions, and shared expenses.
• Sign two copies; record meter readings at key handover.

Legal information

Frequently asked questions

Related templates

Related guides

• Commercial Lease vs. Residential Lease: What Are the Differences?We summarize how commercial leases differ from residential leases in terms of business activity, duration, rent increases, security deposits and shared costs.
• Residential Lease Guide: What to Watch for While Filling It InA practical guide to writing clear terms for parties, duration, rent, deposit and handover conditions in a Turkish residential lease.