| A lease is a contract and also a lease operates as | | | | premises in habitable condition; keep all common |
| an instrument of conveyance. Residential leases | | | | areas in a clean and safe condition; maintain |
| are governed by the common law of contracts | | | | electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air |
| and also state statutes. A lease must meet | | | | conditioning and other appliances provided by the |
| provisions to be considered legally binding: offer | | | | landlord; provide and maintain appropriate |
| and acceptance; consideration; capacity to | | | | receptacles for removing trash; supply running |
| contract and a legal subject matter. | | | | water; provide reasonable amounts of hot water |
| Offer and acceptance is when both the tenant | | | | and provide reasonable heat. |
| and the landlord agree to the terms of the | | | | The tenant is responsible for complying with all |
| contract. Consideration is the payment of rent in | | | | obligations by applicable laws and building codes; |
| exchange for occupation of the leased property. | | | | keep the part of the property that he or she |
| Capacity to contract is both the tenant and the | | | | occupies clean and safe condition; dispose all trash |
| landlord are of legal age and capacity to enter into | | | | from the premise; keep all plumbing fixtures as |
| the contract. Legal subject matter states the | | | | clean as possible; use electric, plumbing, heating, |
| contract is legal. | | | | air-conditioning and appliances in a reasonable |
| The landlord is responsible for complying with | | | | manner; not destroying any part of the property |
| requirements and applicable housing codes | | | | intentionally and have visitors conduct themselves |
| affecting health and safety; make all repairs and | | | | in a reasonable manner. |
| do whatever is necessary to put and keep the | | | | |