What constitutes a rental agreement?

A rental agreement is fundamentally a contract between the landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions governing the rental of property. This contract serves as a legally binding document that details responsibilities, rights, rent amount, lease duration, payment terms, and other essential information relevant to the tenancy. Having this agreement in place protects both parties and establishes clear expectations and obligations.

While verbal commitments may serve as informal agreements, they lack the enforceability and specificity that a written contract provides. Additionally, guarantees regarding property condition, while important, do not constitute a rental agreement on their own, as they often fall under separate discussions or clauses within the agreement itself. Similarly, while a written summary of property rules can be part of the rental agreement, it does not encompass the whole of what defines a rental agreement, which requires a comprehensive contract format.