When you rent a unit in an apartment, you’ll sign a lease agreement between yourself and the landlord. This contract usually lasts anywhere from three to 12 months. Some landlords, however, offer short-term lease agreements that take a month-to-month approach. While most tenants who choose a month-to-month lease agreement do so to extend their existing leases, some sign this type of lease immediately.
There are many reasons why you should know what a month-to-month lease entails. If you’re looking for a place to rent on a short-term basis, this lease agreement may be perfect for you. When you’re searching for rental properties to invest in, consider offering a month to month lease agreement to potential tenants.
While there are a few drawbacks to this type of lease, there are also plenty of advantages. For example, a month-to-month lease provides more flexibility for both the landlord and tenant. The terms of the agreement are also easy to modify. This article provides a comprehensive overview of month-to-month lease agreements and when to consider them.
What Is a Month-to-Month Lease Agreement?
A month-to-month lease is a type of rental agreement that doesn’t come with a specified rental period. When you sign a 12-month lease, you’re making a commitment to remain in the apartment for at least 12 months. If you leave before this period is up, landlords may be wary about agreeing to your rental applications in the future. Month-to-month lease agreements are renewed every 30 days, which makes it significantly easier to terminate the contract.
The rest of the application process is similar to what you’d experience with a fixed-term lease. Once the property management company or landlord approves your application, you’ll need to sign the initial rental agreement, after which you’ll get a move-in date. Before moving in, you’ll need to pay your security deposit as well as the first month of rent.
The utilities you have access to shouldn’t differ from those of a fixed-term lease. However, you must provide your landlord with enough notice if you choose to terminate the rental agreement. You’ll find the details of how to terminate this agreement in your lease terms. Most states require tenants or landlords to provide a 30-day notice when ending a month-to-month lease.
There are numerous situations when it might be a good idea to sign a month-to-month lease agreement. For example, if you believe that you’ll need to move again within a year, you might benefit from this type of lease agreement. As mentioned previously, ending a lease before you reach its end date can be costly. You’ll be tasked with paying lost rent, finding someone else to fill the unit, or providing an early termination fee.
This lease agreement is also advantageous for people who want to travel. If you enjoy traveling the world, a month-to-month lease gives you the opportunity to stay in one location for as long as you’d like before you choose to move on to the next one.
If you have purchased land and are building a home from scratch, it can take months for the construction process to be completed. This lease agreement allows you to stay nearby while you wait for construction on your home to finish.
Advantages of a Month-to-Month Lease
Month-to-month leases can be highly beneficial depending on your circumstances and personality. This type of lease agreement offers flexibility for landlords and tenants. The agreement’s end date is flexible, which means that nothing is set in stone. As long as you provide ample notice before you leave the unit, you should be able to choose the move-out date that’s best for you and your schedule.
Let’s say that you’re looking for a home to buy or getting married soon. The month-to-month solution provides the kind of flexibility that’s not available with other lease agreements. There isn’t any penalty for breaking your lease if you inform the landlord ahead of time. With a fixed-term lease, terminating the agreement could end up costing you thousands of dollars. Landlords might even be able to sue you to ensure you pay for the entire lease term.
This type of agreement is also adaptable. Even if you only intend to make a short-term commitment at the moment, this doesn’t mean that you’ll want to remain in the same situation forever. If you want to continue living there, you should be able to convert the lease to a long-term one without issue.
Disadvantages of a Month-to-Month Lease
While month-to-month leases are beneficial, there are a few disadvantages. For example, these leases are often more expensive, which means that you’ll potentially pay higher rent for the same unit. The landlord is taking on more risk because of the possibility that you’ll leave soon, which requires them to fill another vacancy. If a 12-month term has a rent price of $1,500, a month-to-month lease might come in at $1,650.
You’ll also deal with uncertainty and a lack of long-term security. Landlords can choose to terminate your lease at any time. They might inform you that you have 30 days to move without giving you any forewarning, which can be stressful.
Keep in mind that landlords can change the terms of the agreement as well, which means that it’s possible for rent prices to increase. You may also need to pay more for utilities.
Key Components of a Month-to-Month Lease Agreement
Every month to month lease agreement includes some key components that you should understand. Most monthly leases provide the same info as 12-month agreements. The main components that should be detailed in the documentation include the following:
- Lease amount and due date
- Security deposit amount
- Rent payment for roommates or pets
- Name and contact info
- Property address, including unit number
- Provision that allows automatic one-month renewals
- Start and end dates of lease
- Late fees if you don’t pay rent
- Responsibilities of each party
- Amount of notice that the tenant or landlord must provide to terminate the lease
- Use of security deposit to pay for property damage
Many month-to-month leases start at the beginning of the month and end on the final day, which means that leases can be as short as 28 days and as long as 31. You’ll need to make your payments monthly. The rental agreement should renew automatically unless a non-renewal notice is submitted by yourself or the landlord. In most cases, security deposits amount to a single month of rent.
Even though you’re on a month-to-month lease, you’ll still need to take care of the property. However, your landlord will likely be tasked with maintaining the building. Thoroughly review your rental agreement for these details before you sign anything.
Legal Considerations
While state law usually requires a 30-day notice from the landlord or tenant before ending a month-to-month agreement, this isn’t true in every state. Depending on the reason for the termination, the District of Columbia may require a 120-day notice. On the other end of the spectrum is Connecticut, which only requires a three-day notice. You may receive this notice by mail or in person.
In order for a lease agreement to be legally binding, it must be signed by the tenant and landlord. Keep in mind that the 30-day notice is only the minimum amount that most states require. You can choose to provide more than 30 days’ notice if you know the specific date on which you’ll be moving out.
If a landlord wants to change the monthly rent price, they must provide 30 days’ notice before the changes take place. The notice needs to be in writing. In some locations, rent increase notices are required to be delivered via certified mail.
When to Choose a Month-to-Month Lease
If you’re a new landlord, a month-to-month lease might be the best option if you want more flexibility regarding who you rent to during the year. You can also select this type of lease agreement if you only want to rent out the property for short periods, which gives you more control over how often you change the rent pricing.
Tenants prefer a month-to-month arrangement if they’re about to get married or relocate for a job in the coming months. If a tenant is waiting for their home to be move-in ready, they might need to sign a month-to-month agreement. Whether you’re a tenant or landlord, balance flexibility with stability while considering if a month-to-month arrangement is right for you.
Tips for Negotiating a Month-to-Month Lease
When negotiating month-to-month leases with potential tenants, make sure you discuss the details of the rent price and any possible increase you might eventually make. Set clear expectations for notice periods by including a specific amount within the agreement.
The security deposit arrangement should also be fair, which means that the tenant should get it back if they keep your property in good condition. If the tenant asks to make modifications to the apartment and you agree, document the specifics of this agreement.
Conclusion
Month-to-month lease agreements aren’t for everyone. However, they provide landlords and tenants with more flexibility and simple termination guidelines. Before you sign this agreement, keep in mind that it usually comes with a higher rent price and less long-term security. It’s always a good idea to carefully review every detail in your agreement before signing it.