What is the difference between a lease and a rental agreement?

Lease and rental agreements are both legal documents used in real estate law in Washington. While they appear similar on the surface, they have important differences in their application and use. A lease is a legally binding contract that grants a tenant the rights to occupy a property for a specific time frame, usually a year or more. At the end of the term, the lease is up and the tenant must vacate the property unless the lease is renewed. The lease also contains information about what the tenant is responsible for, such as paying rent and maintaining the property. A rental agreement, on the other hand, is a more flexible document. It is a contract between the landlord and the tenant, but it does not usually last for more than a month. The agreement also typically contains language about what the tenant is responsible for, such as paying rent on time and following house rules. At the end of the month, the landlord and tenant can agree to renew the agreement for additional months or the tenant can choose to move out. In both cases, it is important to read the document carefully and ask questions before signing. Real estate laws in Washington vary from city to city, so it is important to understand the laws in the local area before signing a lease or rental agreement.

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What is the difference between a lease and a rental agreement?

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