New York Rental Lease Agreement Forms and Templates
Disclosures and Addendums
Lead Base Paint Disclosure – Required for any unit built before 1978
Bed Bug Disclosure – Required for all residential units
Window Guard Disclosure – Required for all residential units
Real Estate Agent/Broker Disclosure – *Required only if the unit was shown by a real estate licensee
Move in / Move out Checklist – Optional to ensure that any existing damage does not get charged to the new tenant.
Download New York lease agreements that allow any tenant to rent property from a landlord or manager in exchange for monthly rent. It is recommended before any lessor enter into a binding real estate contract that a screening of the lessee is completed through the rental application. Only after qualifying by viewing their credit report, background information, employment (including income), and verifying with the references provided may an agreement be issued. If either party has a question or dispute they should read the laws under the New York Tenants’ Rights Guide.
- Rental Application – The New York rental application lets a landlord or property manager legally check a tenant’s background and verify his or her credit status. In order to ensure that the rental payments are made on time, this form will help verify that the tenant has a good history of paying previous landlords and that he or she has kept a job reasonably well in the past. It typically takes 2 to 3 days to process this application and after a decision has been made the tenant will be told if he or she qualifies for a lease agreement. There may be a non-refundable fee assessed for this check.
- Apartment Lease – Very popular among City residents as it is a handy legal document for landlords and tenants to come to terms with one another. Both parties should fill this form to detail the conditions of a rental contract for a residential apartment unit. It may be for any fixed length of time and it includes a checklist for inspecting the property to ensure any damage that is in existence will be documented so that he or she is not billed for the repair.
- House Lease – Agreement is between a landlord, property manager, or real estate agent and single or multiple tenants (if there will be roommates). All persons that are above the age of eighteen (18) should sign this document and once it has been authorized by both parties it becomes legal. The standard term is twelve (12) months but in order to attract tenants as of late, landlords have been giving approved tenants 13 month time lengths with the last month free.
- Month to Month – An arrangement that permits a tenant to occupy property as a “tenant at will” with no end date to the contract and automatically renews with rent payment every month. Either landlord or tenant may choose to change or amend the agreement with written notice to one another with written notice. Common amongst tenants that have stayed in their living unit longer than their one (1) year lease but have not signed another fixed term agreement.
- Sublease – Lets a tenant that has a current lease agreement to rent all or part of his or her space. This is common in New York City where you may have a multi-room apartment with more than one living space. The original tenant, or “sublessor” will be fully responsible for anyone that occupies the space. Therefore when choosing someone to rent the space, be sure that he or she is financially credible and has a history of paying on time through the application. After speaking with references and viewing a credit report should be enough to approve or reject the applicant.
- Commercial – For any property owner of industrial, office, or retail space that would like to rent to an individual or entity for a business related use. If it is a new business, most likely the landlord will require a personal guaranty to make sure payment will be made and the agreement will be honored by the tenant. It is recommended that all commercial real estate contracts be signed in the witness of a notary public.
- Residential Lease with Option to Purchase – Use to lease a residential property with the option to purchase at any time or at a specified later date. Once this agreement has been authorized by both parties it is legal and enforceable. Although it is recommended to sign in front of a notary public.
Common Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Security Deposit
- Limit – No limit on how much a landlord may require
- Returning to Tenant – Must be given back within a “Reasonable Amount of Time”
- Landlord’s Access – Does not need to give notice
- When Rent is Due – Rent must be paid on the date as stated in the signed agreement. No grace period.
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