MAKE THE DOCUMENT WORK FOR YOUR SITUATION
About this short-term rental agreement
Set out a specific short stay with clear guest, price, check-in, cancellation, property-care, and emergency arrangements.
When to use it
- Use for a lawful short-stay accommodation whose dates and guest limits are known.
- Check whether residential tenancy or vacation-rental rules apply instead of assuming the booking length controls the legal category.
What to gather before completing it
- Check local registration, licensing, occupancy, tax, and association restrictions for the actual property.
- Reconcile nightly charges, mandatory fees, taxes, security, total payment, cancellation rights, and refund handling.
- Record check-in and check-out times, access instructions, emergency contacts, inventory, and any applicable disclosure package.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the words “vacation rental” remove tenant protections or federal disclosure duties.
- Leaving fees or damage deductions outside the agreed price and evidence procedure.
- Invoking a lead-disclosure exception solely from stay length without checking renewal rights and other conditions.
After you complete the document
- Give guests the agreement, property rules, emergency details, and required attachments before arrival.
- Keep check-in condition evidence and payment confirmations.
- Document checkout findings, any itemized damage claim, and refund or deposit settlement.
What the template includes
The online builder and downloaded documents use the same fields. A selected state can add relevant research prompts. Complete only applicable items; add explanations for exceptions rather than assuming a blank entry resolves them.
Document details4 inputs +
Set the date, jurisdiction, and your internal reference.
- Document date *
- US state *
- County
- Document reference
Property coverage & local requirements5 inputs +
Identify the actual rental category and local requirements before selecting terms. Use official references for reviewed rules.
- City or municipality
- Rental category reviewed
- Housing program or federally backed financing review
- Applicable local ordinance and official reference
- Coverage facts and unresolved questions
Disclosures & condition attachments7 inputs +
List documents supplied separately and record their delivery. An entry here does not create or attach the EPA disclosure, pamphlet, local notice, or inspection report.
- Year housing was built
- Lead disclosure applicability or exception basis
- Separate lead warning and disclosure attachment reference
- EPA pamphlet delivery record
- Known lead information and available report references
- Condition inventory and photograph references
- Required attachments delivered to each party and dates
People & organizations8 inputs +
Use legal names and current contact information.
- Landlord legal name *
- Landlord address *
- Landlord email
- Landlord phone
- Tenant legal name *
- Tenant address *
- Tenant email
- Tenant phone
Property & occupancy8 inputs +
Describe the premises, who may occupy them, and included amenities.
- Property address *
- Unit / room number
- Property type
- Permitted occupants *
- Parking arrangements
- Furniture / appliances included
- Permitted use *
- Move-in condition report
Term, rent & deposits11 inputs +
State dates and amounts. Check statutory limits before using a fee or deposit.
- Lease start date *
- Lease end date
- Monthly rent (USD) *
- Monthly due day
- Payment method / address *
- Security deposit (USD)
- Deposit holding and return terms
- Late fee arrangements
- Utility responsibility *
- Notice requirements
- Insurance arrangements
Specific lease arrangements9 inputs +
Add the arrangements that distinguish this tenancy.
- Check-in date and time *
- Check-out date and time *
- Maximum guests
- Nightly rate (USD)
- Cleaning charge (USD)
- Total stay charge (USD)
- Cancellation terms *
- Check-in instructions
- Local emergency contact
Maintenance & house rules9 inputs +
Make responsibilities and access arrangements clear.
- Repair and maintenance responsibility *
- Maintenance request procedure
- Entry notice and access procedure
- Pet arrangements
- Smoking policy
- Guest policy
- Alterations / subletting
- Required disclosures and attachments *
- Renewal / holdover arrangements
Additional details & signing7 inputs +
Add attachments, exceptions, and the names of authorized signers.
- Attachments / supporting records
- Exceptions / additional terms
- First signer printed name
- First signer title
- Second signer printed name
- Second signer title
- Signing date
Practical tips
- Be specific. A clear description is easier to verify than a broad label.
- Download Word if you need to add an attachment or adjust the layout.
- Keep the completed document and supporting records together.
Before signing or submitting
This general lease is not a state-approved form. Deposit limits, late fees, entry rights, disclosures, rent control, and termination notices differ by location. Housing built before 1978 may require lead disclosures and a federal pamphlet. Verify local requirements before signing.