e-TafaknaA residential lease agreement, or rental agreement, sets the terms on which a landlord makes a home available to a tenant in return for rent. It is used by individuals, real estate agencies and property managers who let an apartment or a house for residential use.
What every template should include before you sign.
Full identity of landlord and tenant, address, floor area, layout and fittings of the home. If the landlord is not the owner, the agreement states on what basis the landlord lets the property.
The property is let for residential use. Any business activity on the premises is either excluded or expressly authorised.
Start date, term of the lease and the conditions for renewal or non-renewal at expiry.
Rent amount, due date, payment method and receipts. The rent review clause sets the frequency and calculation method, within the limits of local law.
Allocation between landlord and tenant of building charges, utilities, taxes and formality costs.
Amount, conditions for refund at the end of the lease and permitted deductions for unpaid rent or damage.
A dated, detailed condition report signed by both parties at move-in and move-out, attached to the agreement.
Split between minor repairs borne by the tenant and major repairs borne by the landlord. Any alteration requires the landlord's prior consent.
Prohibition or authorisation of subletting and assignment, form and period of notice, and grounds for termination for breach.
Pick a country: key points, formalities and reference texts.
In Tunisia, general contract law applies to leases; the rules specific to residential leases and the formalities are to be confirmed.
All templates in Tunisia
Residential leases are governed by the Civil Code, whose lease provisions were reformed by Law No. 07-05 of 13 May 2007.
All templates in Algeria
Residential leases are governed by Law No. 67-12, which regulates the form of the agreement, the condition report, the deposit, rent review and landlord's notice.
All templates in Morocco
Properties never let before, or whose lease has ended, are governed by the Civil Code rather than the old rent laws (Law No. 4 of 1996, art. 1 and 2).
All templates in Egypt
In Lebanon, residential leases distinguish between “free” leases and old leases, the latter being governed by the 2014 rent law.
All templates in Lebanon
In Iraq, leases are governed by Civil Code No. 40 of 1951 and, for the buildings concerned, by Law No. 87 of 1979 on real estate leasing, as amended.
All templates in Iraq
Leases are governed by the Civil Transactions Law and by the rules of the Ejar electronic network.
All templates in Saudi Arabia
Rules differ by emirate; in Dubai, leases are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended, with the 2025 Civil Transactions Law applying only where that law is silent.
All templates in the United Arab Emirates
In Qatar, real estate leasing is governed by Law No. 4 of 2008, as amended by Law No. 8 of 2026, and by the Civil Code (Law No. 22 of 2004).
All templates in Qatar
In Oman, landlord-tenant relations are governed by Royal Decree No. 6/89, whose annexed provisions cover in particular lease registration and eviction.
All templates in Oman
In Yemen, the Civil Code rules (Law No. 14 of 2002) on built premises apply to dwellings.
All templates in Yemen
Kenya is a common-law country; residential leases are governed by the Land Act 2012 and, for low rents, by the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296).
All templates in Kenya
In France, residential leases are governed by Law No. 89-462 of 6 July 1989.
All templates in France
In Italy, residential leases are governed by Law No. 431 of 9 December 1998 (“locazioni abitative”).
All templates in ItalySimple signature, OTP signature or TunTrust qualified signature (DigiGO, Mobile ID) in Tunisia.
See the signature levelsAt a minimum: the parties, a description of the property, the term, the rent and payment terms, charges, the security deposit and a condition report. In Morocco, Law No. 67-12 requires in particular the parties, the premises, the rent and the charges. In Dubai, Law No. 26 of 2007 also requires the use of the property and the term.
TunisiaAlgeriaMoroccoEgyptSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesQatarOmanIraqYemenLebanonKenyaFranceItalyGeneral information, up to date at the date shown. It does not replace legal advice tailored to your situation.
