Short-Term Lease Agreement

A Short-Term Lease Agreement, sometimes also called a Short-Term Rental Agreement, is a document that outlines the responsibilities of the person renting out the physical space, often called a Lessor, and the short-term tenant often called a Guest. In all Lessor-Guest relationships, even including those that exist between friends or family members, having a written lease that outlines all of the terms and conditions of the rental is necessary. Having everything agreed to in writing may help deal with disputes.

In short-term rentals, the property is leased for temporary or seasonal use, and not for any other use such as commercial or residential use in a landlord-tenant relationship. A short-term rental is different from a Subtenancy Agreement, as these are for residential purposes. Like a vacation rental, a short-term rental agreement is not a full lease. It's a temporary short-term arrangement.

In this lease, the lessor gives basic information about the rental property, including how much it will cost, when and how the payments should be made, and what the term is. Also, there are specific details including what areas can and can't be used, whether pets are allowed, whether smoking is permitted, how the trash gets disposed of, and more.

Short-term lease agreements can be for as little as a few days, or up to a few months. The lease should also contain a maximum stay clause to prevent guests from being deemed as tenants, which provides them with legal rights under Residential Tenancies laws.

If the situation is a traditional long-term lease, like an apartment lease, for example, a standard residential lease agreement is the document needed.

How to use this document?

Before using this document, it is preferable that the lessor verifies with the municipality in which the rental property is located that short-term rentals are allowed. Some municipalities have restrictions and rules regarding short-term rentals.

This Short-Term Lease Agreement will help a lessor create a document that has all the information and rules required for a guest to use the lessor's property. The lessor can list basic information, such as guest names and addresses, dates of the rental, and check-in/check-out times. The lessor will also be asked to outline the means and method of payment.

Once the document is filled out, all the parties (guest(s) and lessor) must sign the agreement in order for it to be valid. They should each keep a copy for their records.

Applicable law

Provincial and territorial laws will cover general contract principles, but also the specifics of lease agreements between two parties.

Short-Term Lease Agreements are also subject to municipal laws, including municipal and planning statutes, and some municipalities prohibit or restrict short-term rentals.

In a short-term lease agreement, typical provincial or territorial laws regarding Residential Tenancies don't apply. And the guest to the agreement is therefore not considered a Tenant with exercisable Tenant rights.

How to modify the template?

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.