If you`re in the short-term rental business, it`s important to have a rental agreement in place to protect your property and ensure that guests behave responsibly during their stay. A rental agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the rental, including payment, length of stay, and any rules or regulations that guests must follow. While it`s always best to have a lawyer draft a rental agreement that specifically caters to your needs, it can be expensive. Luckily, there are free short rental agreement templates available online that you can use to create a basic agreement yourself.

Before diving into the free templates, it`s important to understand what should be included in a rental agreement. The following are some essential elements:

– Introduction: Identify the parties involved (the landlord and the tenant).

– Rental property description: Clearly describe the rental property, including the address and any other identifying features.

– Term of the lease: State the start and end dates of the rental term.

– Payment: Outline the rental fee, due date, and any penalties for late payment or returned checks.

– Security deposit: Discuss the amount of the security deposit required, the circumstances under which it will be returned, and any deductions that may be made.

– Rules and regulations: List any rules or regulations that tenants must follow during their stay, such as maximum occupancy, noise restrictions, and smoking policies.

– Maintenance and repairs: Explain the tenant`s responsibilities for maintaining the rental property and any procedures for reporting necessary repairs.

– Termination of the lease: Address the circumstances under which the lease may be terminated, including early termination, subletting, or breach of contract.

– Signature and date: Both the landlord and tenant should sign and date the rental agreement.

Once you know what to include, you can search for free short rental agreement templates online. Some popular websites for finding templates include Legal Templates, Law Depot, and CocoSign. These templates can be modified to suit your specific needs, but it`s important to read the fine print and ensure that the template complies with your state`s laws.

In conclusion, having a rental agreement in place is crucial for short-term rental businesses. While it`s best to have a lawyer draft a specific agreement, there are free short rental agreement templates that can be used as a starting point. As always, it`s important to review and modify the template to ensure that it covers all the necessary details and complies with state laws.