Short-Term Rental Agreement Template

This short-term rental agreement template is for properties rented for a fixed, limited period, which is usually under or around 30 days.

• For vacation and quick stays.
• Specifies exact move-in and move-out dates and times.
• Includes rent, security deposit, and late fee terms
• Sets house rules, including noise, property modifications, and usage restrictions.

The short-term rental agreement template is free to customize and use in Word or PDF format before signing, with registration required.

What is a short-term rental agreement?

A short-term rental agreement is a written agreement between a property owner (landlord) and a guest (tenant) for a duration not exceeding 30 days․

Compared to a residential tenancy agreement‚ the short-term rental gives landlords‌ more rights․ The guest has granted access to the property subject to‌ more limited terms than full tenancy‚ and the landlord has a reason to keep the deposit or demand compensation if issues arise․

Short-Term vs. Standard Lease: Key differences

Who needs this agreement

The short-term rental agreement template works for both direct and managed rentals, as long as it is short-term and not an open-ended lease.

• In a direct rental, the owner communicates with tenants directly.
• Managed rentals mean an intermediate party like a realtor or property manager communicates on the owner’s behalf. 

Airbnb and VRBO Hosts — do you still need one?

Short answer: Yes. Whether you rent out through Airbnb, VRBO, or another service, you may use this template for your own rental agreement, as most third‑party rental sites allow it. It’s a good practice to have one, since if a guest damages anything, you’ll have a signed agreement that spells out those terms. And it’s far more protective than just a platform booking confirmation. 

When to use a short-term rental agreement

Basic short-term rental agreements are mainly used when a tenant is moving into a rental unit for under 30 days. 

Use case scenarios include:

• vacation rentals (beach houses, mountain cabins, urban apartments)
• transitional housing while moving 
• short-term job assignments
• seasonal rentals (summer cottage, ski chalet)
• extended stays for travel or medical purposes

You can use this template when renting a house, a townhouse, or other. It does not refer to a specific type of property, so just state your property type.

How short is "short-term"? 

Most states consider stays under 30 days as short-term rentals. Yet, the threshold is flexible depending on the state and can be 90 days, or even 6 months, as in Florida. 

Check local regulations, as you may be subject to different taxes when you sign a short-term rental agreement than if you were to sign a month-to-month lease or a rental one.

What to include in a short-term rental agreement

The following‌ are sample clauses standard to a short-term rental agreement for a vacation property:

1. Party identification

Self-explanatory. 

2. Property description and amenities

Provides a full address, type of property (house/apartment/condo), number of bedrooms and bathrooms and a complete list of amenities. Without this‚ disputes can often arise when‌ guests checkout over what was or wasn't provided․

3. Rental dates and check-in / check-out times

Even if you allow flexible check-in in person‚ write the times‚ and explain how in-person flexible check-in works in your description․ Check-out time may be critical as you can charge additional fees for overstays․

Example clause:

"The Tenant may access the Property beginning [DATE] at [TIME]. The Tenant must vacate the Property no later than [DATE] at [TIME]. Failure to check out on time may result in a daily overstay fee of $[AMOUNT]."

4. Rent, fees, and payment terms

The total rental cost‚ if billed nightly‚ weekly‚ or as a flat fee‚ the date(s) when payment is due‚ method of payment accepted‚ and any other applicable fees:

• Cleaning fee
• Pet fee
• Parking fee
• Local occupancy taxes (if the host is responsible for collecting them)

5. Security deposit

The deposit amount‚ when it is due‚ and the circumstances under which it is returned or retained․

Example clause:

"The Tenant shall pay a security deposit of $[AMOUNT] no later than [DATE]. The deposit will be returned within [X] days of checkout, less any deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear, missing items, or unpaid fees. The Landlord will provide an itemized list of any deductions."

Many states limit how long a landlord has to return a deposit and require itemized deductions. For short-term rentals, these rules may or may not apply depending on your state. Check before you write your terms.

6. Cancellation and refund policy

If your policy is not explicitly clear‚ you may not be able to keep a guest's deposit if they cancel the day before check-in․

Standard options:

• Strict: No refund for any cancellation, regardless of timing
• Moderate: Full refund if cancelled more than [X] days before check-in; no refund after that
• Flexible: Full refund up to [X] days before check-in; 50% refund within [X] days

Example clause:

"If the Tenant cancels this Agreement more than 14 days before the check-in date, the Landlord will refund the rental payment in full, less the cleaning fee. If the Tenant cancels within 14 days of the check-in date, no refund will be issued. The security deposit will be returned in full if no damage is found."

7. Occupancy limits

If a guest brings extra people, you can terminate the agreement.

Example clause:

"The Property may be occupied by no more than [#] guests at any time. The following guests are authorized: [NAMES]. Unauthorized guests may result in immediate termination of this Agreement and forfeiture of the deposit."

8. House rules

House rules are a straightforward concept‚ but most problems in a short-term rental come from here․ Write simple‚ clear‚ and precise house rules as if you were explaining them to someone who has never lived in a short-term rental․ Avoid vague phrases like "guests must be respectful․" Include:

• No smoking (tobacco, marijuana, vaping) anywhere on the property
• No parties, events, or gatherings beyond the listed guests
• Quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM
• No pets (or: pets permitted with prior written approval and a $[X] pet deposit)
• No alterations to the property (no moving furniture, no mounting items on walls)
• No illegal activities on the premises
• Parking limited to [#] vehicles in designated areas only
• Trash must be placed in [designated location] by [day/time]
• Hot tub / pool use at guest's own risk; no glass near the pool

9. Utilities

Most short-term landlords include utilities in the rental rate but may limit their use if they are high-consuming․

Example clause:

"All standard utilities — electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable — are included in the rental rate. The Tenant agrees to use electricity responsibly. Charging electric vehicles using the property's electrical outlets is prohibited without prior written consent. Excessive utility use may be deducted from the security deposit."

10. Landlord's right to enter

State law allows the landlord to enter the rental unit with notice in most states to make repairs or address emergencies‚ regardless of the rental term․

Example clause:

"The Landlord reserves the right to enter the Property for maintenance or emergency purposes. Where possible, the Landlord will provide at least 24 hours' advance notice. In cases of emergency, no notice is required."

11. Indemnification and liability

Standard clause example:

"The Tenant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Landlord from any and all claims, damages, losses, or expenses — including reasonable legal fees — arising from the Tenant's use of the Property during the rental period."

12. Dispute resolution

Decide in advance how you will handle disputes over damage‚ the deposit or rules violations․ Arbitration may be faster and cheaper than going to court․

Example clause:

"Any dispute arising from this Agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement shall be submitted to binding arbitration in [COUNTY, STATE], governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees."

13. Termination 

Either party may terminate the lease early if there is a violation of the house rules‚ no payment‚ or unauthorized people move in․

All of the sections can be edited‚ so customize the template for your property and the way you rent it․

How to write your short-term rental agreement

This short-term rental agreement template serves as a reliable starting point for landlords who want to clearly define rental terms without drafting a contract from scratch. Choose the Word or PDF format depending on how you plan to edit, customize, and share the agreement with your tenant.

1. State parties. Include the names and current addresses of the landlord (or property manager) and all adult guests staying in the rental․
2. Describe the property. Itemize exactly what is included in your unit to protect yourself if the item is missing at checkout․
3. Set the dates and times․ Select exact check-in and check-out dates and times․ Add an overstay fee to provide enforcement teeth․
4. Include all costs․ Be clear about the rental rate‚ cleaning fee‚ deposit and other fees․ State when each is due‚ and how it must be paid․
5. Write your cancellation policy․ Choose a strict‚ moderate or flexible refund policy․ Write it in a clear and specific way․
6. Include your house rules․ Don't leave the rules section blank․ List every rule you intend to enforce․
7. Check state and local laws․ Before you agree to host with your new short-term rental host‚ check whether your city or county requires a short-term rental permit‚ business license or occupancy tax registration․
8. Sign․ It should contain both parties' signatures and a copy should be given prior to guest occupation․

With our platform, you can complete your short-term rental agreement in minus and share it with the other party for e-signature.

Short-term rental licensing — things to check in your state

If you rent out your property in the US, even for short-term, you still need to do some homework before signing the lease contract. Here are the things to check beforehand:

• A short-term rental permit from your city or county
• A business license (some cities treat hosts as businesses)
• Occupancy tax registration (similar to hotel tax)
• HOA approval if the property is in a managed community
• Zoning compliance — some residential zones prohibit short-term rentals entirely

Cities with strict short-term rental rules include:

• San Francisco (requires Office of Short-Term Rentals registration), New York City (requires hosts to register and be present during stays for most rentals), and New Orleans (requires a permit and limits the number of nights per year).