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Jeffrey Johnson started his editorial career nearly 20 years ago as an editor and researcher for McGraw Hill and Pearson. After earning an MFA from Chapman University and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, he combined his editorial and writing experience with his legal education. He served as the Managing Legal Editor for the websites Free Advice and Law Firm, and has been featured as a legal expert on The Manifest and Vice.
Jeffrey Johnson started his editorial career nearly 20 years ago as an editor and researcher for McGraw Hill and Pearson. After earning an MFA from Chapman University and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, he combined his editorial and writing experience with his legal education. He served as the Managing Legal Editor for the websites Free Advice and Law Firm, and has been featured as a legal expert on The Manifest and Vice.
Adam Ramirez has been writing and editing about the law and legal issues for more than 20 years. After earning a law degree from the University of Arizona, he clerked for two years for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court. He previously was an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
Adam Ramirez has been writing and editing about the law and legal issues for more than 20 years. After earning a law degree from the University of Arizona, he clerked for two years for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court. He previously was an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
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When a landlord agrees to let another person or group use their property, it’s to the benefit of both parties—and sometimes a legal requirement—that they create a Connecticut lease agreement.
This article will outline the requirements of a valid Connecticut rental contract and how it can protect the rights of tenants and landlords. We also provide a free template that you can use as the basis of a Connecticut lease. Enter your email address below to get our lease template, tailored to comply with Connecticut law.
What Is a Lease Agreement?
A lease agreement is a contract between a landlord—the property owner—and a tenant (or tenants)—the person or people using the property.
The purpose of a lease is to spell out the rights and responsibilities of all parties. These typically include the landlord’s right to collect the agreed-upon rent, for example, and their duties to repair and maintain the property. The tenants also have rights and responsibilities in most rental contracts.
The exact nature of the roles of each party will depend on the nature of the document, Connecticut laws and the terms that the landlord and tenant agree to.
When Is a Lease Agreement Used in Connecticut?
Generally, a lease agreement is used whenever a property owner agrees to let someone else use their property for a period of time. In Connecticut, a rental agreement should always be in writing. While the law may not require it, a written contract can prove invaluable if there is a disagreement between landlord and tenant.
Who Typically Creates a Lease Agreement?
Often, the creation of the lease agreement falls to the landlord. In fact, in residential rental situations, the tenant may find themselves unable to negotiate any terms at all, and the landlord will likely not sign a lease the tenant provides.
There is no requirement that the landlord create the lease, however. Either party can draft a lease—possibly with the aid of a template like our free version—as a starting point for negotiating the lease terms.
What Parties Are Involved in a Lease Agreement?
The parties to a lease are:
- The landlord—or lessor—owns the property. They can be an individual, multiple people or a company.
- The tenant—or lessee—wants to use the property for the lease term. Just like the landlord, tenants can be people or, usually in commercial leases, companies.
In some instances, the landlord may require a cosigner or guarantor to also be party to the contract. The cosigner agrees to accept responsibility for complying with the lease if the tenant can’t. Usually, this means that the cosigner or guarantor will pay the rent if necessary.
What Should Be Included in a Connecticut Lease Agreement?
There are a lot of elements that should be in a lease, but the requirements of a written lease in Connecticut are surprisingly minimal:
- A lease must identify and be signed by all parties.
- A lease must identify the address of the property being rented.
- Finally, a lease must identify the amount and frequency of the rent payments.
Just because it only takes a few criteria to form a legal lease doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to write such short and vague agreements, however.
A well-written Connecticut lease should include details like the term of the lease, the manner in which the rent is to be paid, the security deposit (if any), how the tenant should contact the landlord, the timing of repairs and requirements for the landlord accessing the property. These are just some items that a lease should include, too.
You can see an example of a well-drafted and inclusive Connecticut lease in our free template.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the maximum fee for late rent in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut law, there is no limit to the late fee landlords can charge tenants for late rent. Remember, however, that the state maximum may be different from the late fee in your lease. The fee can be less than the state maximum, but it can’t be more than that amount.
What rights does a tenant have in Connecticut?
A lease in Connecticut is a contract between the tenant and landlord. Like any contract, both parties can negotiate the terms—at least in theory. In practice, landlords may be unwilling to alter their residential lease.
It doesn’t hurt to ask, however. It’s also important to know that a lease can’t contain terms that are illegal.
Does a lease need to be notarized in Connecticut?
A Connecticut lease does not need to be notarized to be valid and enforceable. In fact, notarizing a lease is extremely rare—increasingly so as more and more residential leases are e-signed.
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