LawDepot’s Residential Tenancy Agreement template allows you to choose between a periodic tenancy or a fixed-term tenancy.
A periodic tenancy, also known as automatic renewal, has no set end date. In this case, the tenancy renews every year or month until one of the parties ends the lease.
Landlords may prefer month-to-month rentals because of the flexibility they provide. For instance, landlords can implement changes (such as increasing the rent or removing amenities) to lease terms quickly. It’s important to note that the landlord must provide proper notice to the tenant before changing lease terms.
Similarly, tenants may prefer month-to-month rentals if they need the flexibility to move on short notice.
A fixed-term tenancy ends on a specific date and doesn’t often require a notice to terminate.
Landlords may prefer fixed-term tenancies because they gain peace of mind knowing they have a secure income for a time. In this case, they can budget into the future and may ask for tenants to pay their yearly rent upfront. Down payments like this help landlords repay loans taken out to support their property development business.
Tenants may prefer a fixed-term tenancy when they know exactly how long they need to occupy a property.
It’s important to note that regulations vary by state, so be sure to research tenancy laws in your jurisdiction before executing your Residential Tenancy Agreement.