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📝 Leasing

Creating a Lease
Step-by-Step Guide

Build legally compliant leases in minutes using our 50-state templates. Customize terms, add addendums, and send for digital signing.

Create Your First Lease

Walk through the lease creation process from selecting a template to sending for signatures.

1

Navigate to Leases

From your dashboard, go to Residents & Leases and click "Create New Lease". You can also start from a specific property or unit page.

2

Select a State Template

Choose the state-specific lease template that matches your property location. Templates are pre-loaded with required disclosures and legal language for all 50 states.

3

Assign Property & Tenant

Select the property, unit, and tenant(s) for the lease. If the tenant isn't in the system yet, you can add them during this step.

4

Set Lease Terms

Configure the lease start/end dates, monthly rent, security deposit, late fee rules, and payment due date. Choose between fixed-term or month-to-month.

5

Customize Clauses

Review and edit the default lease clauses. Add rules for pets, parking, utilities, subletting, and maintenance responsibilities. Toggle clauses on or off as needed.

6

Attach Addendums

Add optional addendums like pet agreements, lead paint disclosures, HOA rules, or rent-to-own terms. Upload custom documents if needed.

7

Review & Send for Signing

Preview the complete lease document. Once satisfied, click "Send for Signing". The tenant receives an email notification to review and sign digitally.

The Lease Builder

A guided wizard that walks you through every section of the lease.

myrentalspot.com/leases/create
Create New Lease
Step 2 of 5 — Lease Terms
Save Draft
✓ CompleteStep 1: Property & Tenant
Riverside Apartments, Unit 3C · Kevin Park · Ohio Template
Lease Terms
Lease Type
Fixed-Term (12 months)
Monthly Rent
$1,600.00
Start Date
March 1, 2026
End Date
February 28, 2027
Security Deposit
$1,600.00
Due Date
1st of month
Grace Period
5 days
Late Fee Type
Flat — $50.00
Payment Methods
ACH, Credit Card, Debit
← Back
Next: Clauses →
Lease Builder — Step 2: Setting lease terms, rent, deposit, and late fees
myrentalspot.com/leases/create#clauses
Customize Clauses
Pet Policy
Customized
Cats and dogs allowed · 2 pet max · $250 pet deposit · $25/mo pet rent
Parking
Default
1 assigned spot included · Additional spots $75/mo
Utilities
Default
Tenant responsible for electric, gas, internet · Owner covers water, trash
Subletting
Disabled
Lead Paint Disclosure
Required by State
Ohio requires this for properties built before 1978
Clause editor — toggle and customize individual lease clauses

50-State Compliant Templates

Every template is built with state-specific legal requirements already included.

📋

What's Included in Every Template

  • State-required disclosures — Lead paint, mold, flood zone, bed bugs, and more as required by your state.
  • Security deposit limits — Auto-enforced maximums based on state law.
  • Late fee caps — Templates won't let you set fees above state-allowed limits.
  • Notice periods — Pre-configured move-out, entry, and termination notice requirements.
  • Fair housing language — Non-discrimination clauses compliant with federal and state fair housing laws.
  • Habitability standards — Landlord obligations per state implied warranty of habitability.

Leasing Best Practices

Make your lease process smoother and more professional.

📄

Digital Signatures

Send leases for eSignature. Tenants can sign from any device — faster and legally binding.

See eSign Feature →
🔍

Screen Before You Lease

Run background and credit checks via TransUnion before creating a lease.

See Screening Feature →
💳

Set Up Payments Early

Configure rent collection settings in the lease so tenants can pay as soon as they sign.

See Rent Collection Feature →
📁

Document Storage

Signed leases are automatically stored and accessible to both PM and tenant.

See File Storage Feature →

Common Questions

Answers about creating and managing leases.

Yes. Our templates are drafted with state-specific legal requirements and electronic signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act. We recommend having your attorney review your template for your specific situation.
Yes. You can upload your own lease document as a PDF and use it alongside or instead of our templates. You can still use digital signing with custom documents.
Addendums are additional documents attached to the main lease. Common ones include pet agreements, parking addendums, and HOA rules. They're sent for signing along with the main lease.
Signed leases cannot be edited. To make changes, you'd create a lease amendment (addendum) that both parties sign. This is stored alongside the original lease.
You can send reminders and track signing status from the lease detail page. Unsigned leases stay in "Pending Signature" status until signed or cancelled.

Ready to Create Your First Lease?

50-state compliant templates, digital signing, and automatic storage — all free.

myrentalspot.com