What Is a One-Page Lease Agreement?
A one-page lease agreement is a clear and abbreviated contract between a landlord and tenant. It covers essential terms, such as rent, lease duration, and party responsibilities. The one-page format makes it easy to understand and refer to in case of disputes.
This document may be preferred in some situations due to its simplicity. It’s shorter than standard leases, which can be dozens of pages long. You may use the one-page version for short-term tenancies or when the parties know each other well. It may also be helpful if you need to enter a rental contract quickly, as a shorter lease can be easier to sign without delays.
A one-page lease can hold up in court as long as the terms are direct and both parties have signed it.
Pros & Cons of a Simple One-Page Lease Agreement
A simple one-page lease agreement comes with the following advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- Less paperwork
- Easy-to-understand terms for tenants
- Facilitates a faster move-in process
- Ideal for short-term tenancies (month-to-month leases or vacation rentals)
Cons
- Can conflict with state or local laws if it omits key sections/disclosures
- Offers weaker legal protection
- Doesn’t have as much detail as a longer-form lease, which can result in more difficult disputes if there is a disagreement between the parties
You can overcome the disadvantages of a one-page lease agreement by adding clauses as needed. Legal Templates’s addendum and amendment templates let you add to and modify a lease to reflect your desired changes.
If your state or property type requires certain lease disclosures, you can attach them to your basic one-page lease agreement. For example, if your rental unit was built before 1978, you must attach a lead-based paint disclosure under federal law. Even if the disclosure doesn’t fit on your one-page lease, attaching it and getting the tenant’s acknowledgment can help you stay in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
What to Include in a One-Page Rental Lease Agreement
Legal Templates only adds the most essential terms and clauses to a one-page lease agreement. Here are the key elements to keep your one-page document succinct:
- Landlord’s and tenant’s names
- Lease type (fixed term vs. month-to-month)
- Lease start date (and end date if applicable)
- Housing type and condition of the premises
- Property address
- Rent payment, date to be paid, and payment type
- Grace period for late rent
- Statement of utility responsibilities
- Security deposit details
- Property rules (smoking and pets)
- Whether the tenant may sublease the property
- Additional provisions/disclosures
- Dispute resolution method
- Date of the agreement
Sample One-Page Rental Agreement
View our sample below to see what an easy, simple one-page rental agreement looks like. Document your desired terms using our guided form, then download a printable version in PDF or Word format.
