Rental agreement template

A self storage rental agreement is the contract that sets your rent, fees, access rules and lien rights. This page gives you a starter template. It is general information, not legal advice, and the lien and late fee wording depends on your state, so have your attorney review it before you use it.

When to use it

Use it for every new tenant, signed before they get a gate code or a key. If you want a version filled in for you, try the rental agreement generator. For a deeper look at each clause, read writing a good self storage lease.

What the law usually requires

Your agreement is what makes a later lien sale possible, so state rules show up in it.

• Lien clause formatting. Texas lets you sell without a court only if the lease has the contractual landlord's lien in underlined or conspicuous bold print (Tex. Prop. Code 59.041-59.042). New York requires charges to be itemized in dollars in the occupancy agreement in 10-point bold type (Lien Law 182).
• Late fee. Arkansas allows a late fee up to the greater of $30 or 20% of monthly rent if stated in the agreement (Ark. Code 18-16-401 et seq.). Alabama and Florida use the greater of $20 or 20%. Look up your state on the lien laws hub.
• Notice by email. Texas allows email lien notice only if the lease says so in bold or underlined print and the tenant supplies an address.
• Alternate contact. Several states use a second contact on the lease. Collect one at signing.

Say rent is $150. At 20%, the fee is $30, which equals Arkansas's $30 floor, so the fee is $30. At $200 rent, 20% is $40, so $40 is the ceiling. Check these in the late fee calculator.

How to fill it in

1. Parties and unit. Use full legal names. Add an alternate contact.
2. Rent and due date. State the amount, due date and whether you prorate.
3. Late fee. Use an amount your state allows, and say when it applies.
4. Lien clause. Format it as your state requires.
5. Notice methods. List mail and email, and get the tenant to consent in writing to email.
6. Insurance. State whether the tenant must insure the contents.
7. Prohibited items. List hazardous materials, perishables and living things.
8. Signature. Collect it before access starts. Keep the copy.

Common mistakes

• Burying the lien clause in small plain print.
• Copying a lease from another state.
• A late fee above your state's reasonable amount.
• No email consent, then trying to email a lien notice.
• No alternate contact.
• Letting a tenant move in before signing.

The template

Template only, general information, not legal advice. Have your attorney review it for your state.

SELF STORAGE RENTAL AGREEMENT
[FACILITY NAME], [FACILITY ADDRESS] ("Owner")

Date: [DATE]
Tenant: [TENANT FULL NAME] ("Tenant")
Address: [TENANT ADDRESS]    Phone: [PHONE]    Email: [EMAIL]
Alternate contact: [NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE]
Unit: [UNIT NUMBER], size [SIZE]

1. TERM. Month-to-month, starting [START DATE]. Either party may end it
   with [NUMBER] days written notice.

2. RENT. $[RENT] per month, due on [DUE DAY / ANNIVERSARY DATE].
   First payment: $[FIRST PAYMENT]. Security deposit: $[DEPOSIT, OR "none"].
   Owner may change rent on [NUMBER] days written notice.

3. LATE FEE. If rent is not received by [GRACE DAY], Tenant will pay a
   late fee of $[LATE FEE] per month. [CONFIRM THE AMOUNT AND TIMING
   ARE ALLOWED IN YOUR STATE.]

4. ACCESS. Gate hours: [HOURS]. Access may be denied while any amount is
   past due.

5. USE. Tenant will store only personal property Tenant owns or has the right
   to store. No hazardous or flammable materials, perishables, living
   things, weapons, or illegal items. No living or working in the unit.

6. INSURANCE. Owner does not insure Tenant's property. Tenant is
   responsible for insuring it. [OPTIONAL PROTECTION PLAN TERMS]

7. OWNER'S LIEN. [FORMAT AS YOUR STATE REQUIRES, E.G. BOLD AND
   UNDERLINED]: Owner has a lien on all property in the unit for rent,
   late fees and other charges, as allowed by [STATE STATUTE CITATION].
   If Tenant is in default, Owner may deny access and enforce the lien,
   including by sale of the property after notice as the law requires.

8. NOTICES. Tenant agrees notices may be sent to the address above and
   by email to [EMAIL]. Tenant will tell Owner of any change.
   Tenant initials for email consent: ______

9. LIABILITY. Owner is not liable for loss or damage except as the law
   requires. [STATE-SPECIFIC LIMIT LANGUAGE]

10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This is the whole agreement. Changes must be in writing.

Tenant signature: ______________________   Date: [DATE]
Owner signature:  ______________________   Date: [DATE]