How do I renew a tenant's lease?

Renewals go smoothly when you begin well before the current lease ends. Setting your direction sixty to ninety days out gives both sides time to talk and sign without a scramble. Reaching out early also signals that you value the tenant, which helps you keep a good one.

Required notice windows vary by state, and your lease may set its own timeline. Check both before you decide when to send the offer.

Before you draft anything, settle what will change so the offer is clear.

• Rent: look at comparable units and decide whether to hold the rate or adjust it.
• Term length: a longer term locks in stability, while a shorter one keeps flexibility.
• Policies: update clauses on pets, parking, utilities, or maintenance if your practices have shifted.

Keep any increase reasonable and defensible. Some places cap increases or require extra notice for them, and those rules vary by state. See the guides at /laws/ and your own counsel before you send a number.

A renewal offer belongs in writing so there is no confusion later. A clear lease renewal letter states the new term dates, the rent, any changed terms, and a deadline for the tenant to respond. Keep the tone straightforward and give the tenant a simple way to say yes. Spell out how you want the response, whether that is a signature, a reply, or a short call.

A written offer also protects you. If a disagreement comes up about what was proposed, you have a record of the exact terms you put on the table.

Once the tenant accepts, get it into a signed agreement. You can issue a full new lease or a short renewal addendum that references the original and updates only what changed, such as the dates and rent. Both approaches hold up when everyone signs.

Collect signatures from every adult on the lease before the current term expires. An unsigned understanding is hard to enforce, so do not let the tenant continue on a handshake.