A well-drafted tenancy agreement prevents more disputes than any amount of goodwill after the fact. If a disagreement ever escalates, the agreement is the first (and often only) document that matters — so it's worth getting right before either party signs.
One caveat that applies throughout: contract requirements differ by jurisdiction. Some countries require specific clauses, prescribed forms, registration, or official duties or taxes on tenancy agreements; others cap deposits or regulate termination terms. Use this checklist to make sure nothing is missing, then confirm your agreement meets the legal requirements where your property is. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Here are the 12 clauses worth double-checking.
1. Parties and property details
Full legal names of landlord and tenant, their official identification (national ID or passport numbers, as applicable where you are), and the complete property address including unit number, floor, and any parking bay allocated. Sounds obvious — it's also the most common source of "which unit exactly" confusion when a building has multiple similarly-numbered units.
2. Term and renewal
The exact start and end date, and — critically — what happens on expiry. Does it automatically become a periodic (monthly) tenancy? Does it just end? Is there an option to renew, and on what terms? Silence here is what creates the most disputes over notice periods later.
3. Rent amount and payment terms
The rent, the due date each period, accepted payment methods, and what happens if payment is late (grace period, late fee, if any). Specify the late fee as a fixed amount or percentage — vague terms like "reasonable late fee" are hard to enforce — and check that late fees are permitted and within any cap that applies locally.
4. Security deposit and other deposits
The amount of each deposit (security, utilities, keys — whatever applies; one to two months' rent is a common range for security deposits, though many jurisdictions cap this), what they cover, where they're held (some places require a protection scheme or separate account), and the conditions and timeline for refund after move-out.
5. Maintenance and repair responsibilities
Split clearly between landlord and tenant: who handles structural repairs versus day-to-day upkeep, who's responsible for servicing appliances and climate systems, and a cost threshold above which the landlord must be notified before the tenant arranges a repair and expects reimbursement. Note that many jurisdictions impose non-negotiable repair obligations on landlords regardless of what the contract says.
6. Permitted use of the property
Residential use only, occupancy limits (how many occupants), and whether subletting or short-term letting (Airbnb-style) is allowed — this last one matters increasingly and should be explicit either way.
7. Pets
State clearly whether pets are allowed, and if so, any restrictions (type, size, number) and any additional deposit required for pet-related wear — where local law allows pet restrictions and pet deposits at all.
8. Inventory list
A schedule attached to the agreement listing furniture, appliances, and fixtures provided, along with their condition at move-in. This is the single most useful document for resolving deposit disputes later — pair it with dated photos.
9. Early termination clause
What happens if either party wants to end the tenancy before the term expires — is there a penalty (commonly in the range of one to two months' rent, where permitted), a required notice period, or a break clause allowing early exit under specific circumstances (e.g. job relocation)? Check local rules: some jurisdictions limit early-termination penalties or give tenants statutory exit rights that override the contract.
10. Renewal and rent review terms
If you want the option to increase rent at renewal or during a long lease, this needs to be written in — see our guide on rent increases for how to structure this fairly and where local caps may apply.
11. Insurance and liability
Whether the landlord's insurance covers the structure only, and that the tenant is responsible for insuring their own belongings — this avoids disputes after incidents like fire or flood damage to personal items.
12. Dispute resolution and governing law
How disputes will be handled if they can't be resolved directly — mediation, a tenancy tribunal, or the courts, depending on what exists where you are — and which jurisdiction's laws govern the agreement, relevant if landlord and tenant are based in different places.
A final note
Templates are a starting point, not a substitute for legal review on high-value or unusual tenancies (multi-year commercial-residential hybrids, tenancies with company guarantors, etc.). For standard residential lettings, a clear, complete agreement covering the 12 items above — adapted to your local legal requirements — will prevent the large majority of disputes.
TenancyDesk generates tenancy agreements from a template covering all 12 of these clauses, pre-filled with your property and tenant details, ready for e-signature. Treat the generated draft as a template to review against your local requirements — then keep the signed copy stored against the tenancy.