A short-term or vacation lease agreement is a legally binding document between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms for the stay. They are similar to a standard lease but last only for a rental period of one to thirty days as the parties agree. Edit this Lawrina template to your needs and download the prepared document in minutes.
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Vacation rental agreements are legal documents signed between the property owner or manager and the renter regarding the temporary stay at the property. These agreements are usually for short periods (between one and 30 days).
If the structure was built before 1978, owners must provide a copy of the lead-based paint disclosure form. Short term seasonal lease agreements must comply with all state laws and the standard policies of Airbnb or other rental sites being used.
While Airbnb’s standard policy covers most circumstances, hosts can provide guests with another way to ensure they understand what can happen if they break the rules by using a rental contract. To minimize risks further, hosts can use an Airbnb co-host agreement template to fill in the gaps left by the rental site policies.
Guest rules should be outlined in a vacation rental agreement, along with the penalties for breaking them. In the case of a guest breaking the property’s policies or rules, the owner has the right to demand the guest pay for damages and to cancel the booking immediately or evict the guest from the leased property.
Although all short-term rental agreements should cover certain key terms, the specifics will vary, depending on the property.
A sample vacation rental agreement should contain the following 14 key terms:
You are protected under this section of the short-term lease agreement if your guests bring unauthorized visitors to your property. The guests must also accept liability for injuries or damage caused to the leased property by unauthorized visitors.
The liability clause, if drafted appropriately, can eliminate a party’s right to certain types of damages. When negotiating an agreement and drafting these clauses, it helps to understand what damages might flow directly and indirectly from a breach of the agreement terms in order to protect your rights.
This section in a vacation lease agreement should include the following:
A property owner who intends to lease property for a relatively short duration, typically less than 30 days, should utilize a short-term rental agreement or daily rental ageement. Often referred to as a vacation rental agreement, the document defines the lease's terms and conditions, including the duration of the stay and the rights, and responsibilities of all parties involved.
In case of six-month rentals, ensuring a smooth and mutually respectful relationship from the onset is crucial. It is highly recommended that both parties sign the 6 months rental agreement before the tenant's occupation of the premises.
Since short-term rental contracts are for short-term stays, they are generally reserved for vacation lets or summer homes that are not intended to be lived in permanently. However, renting out furnished residential property for a few weeks or up to a month is also possible under these contracts.
A short-term lease agreement for rental property is for both the landlord and the tenant. The short-term rental agreement outlines all the terms, ensuring both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities, which will help to avoid legal disputes further down the line. Here is a closer look at how sample vacation rental property management agreements benefit both parties:
Makes it possible for tenants to stay in various locations without having to purchase property.Allows landlords to profit from homes where they do not permanently reside without putting their house up for sale and finding a new owner.
Provides tenants with detailed property descriptions, helping them decide whether the rental home is a good fit for their needs.
Informs tenants about what to expect when they arrive at the property.Enables landlords to collect any payments for rent or additional expenses, such as breakfast or towel rental.
Protects tenants if they arrive at a damaged property without water or electricity, unreliable locks, etc.
Having a clearly worded, well-structured, and complete printables for short term rentals is a perfect option for both parties to make the guests’ stay pleasant and the owners’ business grow through positive feedback and repeat clients.
Make sure you have insurance in place so you don’t end up paying out of pocket if anything goes wrong.
Our short-term rental agreement template includes all the necessary sections that must be included to provide the landlord and tenant with adequate legal protection. Here is a closer look at all the general sections you should have in the short-term lease agreement template:
Your vacation rental agreement must include the names of all the guests who will stay at the property. You should also ask for their phone numbers and current correspondence addresses. The landlord must also provide their name and address.
Next comes a detailed description of the rental property. Include the property address alongside a list of all the amenities included for use throughout the duration of the stay. It is essential to use specific language, so there is no room for misinterpretation.
Detail how long the guests are staying at the rental property. You should include the dates of their stay and precise check-in and check-out times. You must also provide the total number of guests (adults and children) and the maximum occupancy of the property.
Specify the agreed amount of rent per day and the total amount for the duration of the stay. You should also include other fees, such as cleaning fees, services charges, deposits, and taxes. Finish with an overall total amount, an upfront deposit amount, and the dates payments are due.
You can use this part of the short-term lease form to add house rules. For example, you might want quiet time after 11 p.m., no parties or events, and no smoking of any kind inside the property. Guests must abide by these rules throughout their stay; breaking them counts as a contract violation.
Accidents can happen even in the most well-maintained homes. This section of the short-term lease form protects the landlord if accidents and losses occur on the property. You need to outline what losses you will be liable for and the statutory damages limit for guests if they make claims against you.
For vacation lets and short-term leases, tenants are often given a period in which they can cancel their reservation. The details of these conditions are in this section of the contract. You should specify how long tenants have to cancel after booking and the rules surrounding refunds and deposits.
This section of your short-term rental agreement template explains what happens if either the landlord or tenant breaks the aforementioned terms of the contract. In an ideal scenario, no disputes will arise. However, this clause is essential for both parties in case things don’t go as planned.
The vacation rental agreement template by Lawrina makes your writing easy. Download this printable PDF form, then complete the following steps:
Before you rent out your vacation home, check the local laws of your jurisdiction. Some U.S. states require owners of vacation rental properties to have licenses for them to legally rent out their homes on a short-term basis, as is the case in Florida. Failure to hold a license can result in legal action and fines.
Other legal restrictions may also be in place, including:
The specific laws surrounding short-term rental agreements vary between states. In the State Law section, you can find all the relevant information regarding licenses and written form requirements. When in doubt, contact a local lawyer in the US to help walk you through the short-term rental agreements basics in your jurisdiction.
When setting up a short-term rental agreement, deciding on clear and thorough terms that will govern the rental is crucial. Once you are familiar with your city's legal stipulations, you can begin to lay down the specifics of your short-term rental contract.
As the proprietor of a vacation rental, you have the flexibility to determine the terms of the agreement as long as they align with the legal parameters. Consider any house rules you would like your tenants to adhere to, the rental amount you plan to charge, any additional costs, and the circumstances under which you would be willing to cancel a booking.
To help you out, here are some questions you can use as thinking prompts to ensure that your vacation rental agreement is comprehensive:
What nightly rate do you plan to charge for your vacation rental? Do you have a minimum stay requirement for your guests? How much time do you need for property preparation between check-out and check-in? Are there any additional fees (cleaning, taxes, etc.) that tenants are responsible for? What deposit amount are you considering to secure the reservation? Under what circumstances would you be willing to cancel a booking?Is the deposit refundable? If so, under what conditions? When is the full payment due from the clients?
Do you want specific house rules (e.g., concerning noise or smoking) included in the vacation rental agreement?
Clearly defining these elements in your short-term rental agreement ensures a seamless experience for both parties.
Once you have established the basic terms of the agreement, draft a comprehensive description of the property and its amenities. This description must include the property type (apartment, house, etc.), the rooms that comprise the property, and which areas are public or private. Decide whether the guests have full or partial access to the property and make a note of this.
You also need to list the amenities that guests have access to during their stay. This might include some of the following examples:
Wi-Fi (including speed and access range) Towels and bed linens Parking (paid or free) Washing machine and dryer Hot tub or swimming pool Basic cooking suppliesThe term "property liability" encompasses the legal and financial obligations that come with owning a piece of real estate. As landlords, you must ensure that your property is safe for tenants. Safety can be maintained through diligent upkeep of the property, immediate repairs when damages occur, and alerting guests to potential hazards during ongoing repairs. Navigating legal issues carefully is vital to avoid missteps like a breach of contract, discrimination, or unlawful evictions in your dealings with tenants.
Conducting a thorough evaluation of the property and its associated liabilities is an important step. Ensure that your short-term rental agreement provides coverage in the event of losses or damages to minimize your personal liability in the event of unforeseen accidents. Additionally, when establishing a short-term rental contract, consider securing an insurance policy that covers potential damages, compensates for the loss of rental income due to necessary repairs, and addresses liability for any personal injuries that might occur on the premises.
A comprehensive short-term lease agreement clearly stipulates the rules of occupancy, providing a guiding framework for your relationship with the tenant. A clear agreement can help prevent legal disputes over issues like illegal eviction or breach of contract. By putting these measures in place in your rental agreement template, you ensure peace of mind and financial stability, even in the face of unexpected situations.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively utilize a short-term rental agreement:
When leasing your property to new guests, utilizing a short-term rental agreement is advisable, as it clearly outlines the rights and obligations of both hosts and guests for a defined lease period. The short-term rental contract should be applied irrespective of the duration of the guest's stay, even if the booking is for a single night or if the guests are known acquaintances.
Common uses of the contract include:
In summary, a short-term rental agreement is an essential tool for anyone renting their property on a temporary basis. It helps ensure that both parties are clear about their obligations and what to expect from the arrangement.
Remember, guests should sign the short-term rental contract before occupying your property.
You should not use a short-term lease agreement when you plan to have a guest stay longer than 30 days. In such cases, you should draft a formal month-to-month or fixed-term lease agreement.
Once your short-term rental contract is in place, the next step is to find your first guests. Welcoming guests into your home for the first time can be daunting, and ensuring a consistent stream of guests can be an even more significant challenge. Here are some strategies and suggestions to help you successfully rent out your vacation home and generate a steady income:
Market research: Before listing your property, thoroughly research other rentals. Your findings will help you understand market dynamics and set a competitive per-night rate.
Seasonal pricing: Be aware that booking rates may vary across different seasons. Implement dynamic pricing to attract more guests during off-peak periods and maximize revenue during high-demand seasons.
Quality photographs: Remember to consider the importance of high-quality photos. Ensure that you take captivating and accurate images of each room to provide an appealing depiction of your home.
Booking cancellation policy: Include a cancellation policy in your short-term rental agreement that balances protecting your interests and offering flexibility to potential guests.
Professional assistance: Don't hesitate to seek professional help. Consider hiring a lawyer to guide you through your region's short-term rental contract laws, invest in reliable cleaning services, and engage a property maintenance partner. Handling these aspects well can save you time and potential legal headaches.
Interior design: Decorate your home with a broad range of guests in mind. Stick to neutral color schemes and prioritize comfort to cater to all guests, whether on a business trip or a family vacation.
Customer reviews: Encourage previous guests to review their stay at your property. The more positive feedback you garner, the more trust you build with potential tenants, improving your listing's attractiveness.
Remember, the short-term rental agreement is a crucial part of this process. It should cover all scenarios, and you should have guests sign it before check-in. It protects both parties and ensures a clear understanding of responsibilities and expectations.
To run a successful Airbnb or vacation rental, you need to be aware of all the applicable regulations and tax laws.
Tax collection authorities are becoming more aware of how much money hosts are making and striving to make sure they receive their cut as the vacation rental market matures.
To avoid fines or removal from vacation rental marketplaces like Airbnb, we advise you to make sure you know the rules of your property back-to-front and that you’re licensed and paying taxes.
Make sure you are aware of the local laws in your city and state.
