A lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out the terms of a rental. It usually covers the property, rent amount, lease dates, deposits where permitted, responsibilities, rules and the signatures of both parties.

A lease agreement and a rental agreement usually describe the same document: a written agreement between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms of the tenancy. The wording varies by province or territory, so you may also see terms like tenancy agreement, residential tenancy agreement or standard lease.

Lease agreement requirements vary by province and territory. Some provinces require a specific standard lease or residential tenancy agreement, while others allow landlords to use their own agreement as long as it follows local tenancy rules.

A lease agreement template is a form you complete with the details of a specific tenancy, such as rent, dates, names, property address and additional terms where allowed. A lease agreement sample is usually an example used for reference. If you are preparing a lease, use the form or template required for the province or territory where the rental unit is located.

No. Lease agreement requirements vary by province and territory. Some provinces require a standard lease or official tenancy agreement form, while others provide templates, guidance or required terms. Use the form for the province or territory where the rental unit is located, and check the official source before signing.

In many provinces and territories, the lease agreement or tenancy agreement form is available as a downloadable PDF from an official source. Use the form for the province or territory where the rental unit is located, and review the official source before completing or signing it.

Yes. Tenant screening before signing a lease can help you review important details such as credit, income, identity and rental history before you finalize the agreement.

In many provinces and territories, you can add terms for details the lease doesn’t already cover, such as parking, utilities, smoking or shared spaces. Just make sure they follow local tenancy laws and don’t take away any of the tenant’s legal rights. A clause that conflicts with the law may not be enforceable, so check your province or territory’s rules before adding it.