A Lease Extension Agreement is a legal contract used when a tenant and landlord agree to extend their lease past the final day of the original agreement.
These types of agreements can be used for leases that are both residential and commercial and allow you to do the following:
- Extend your lease agreement with the other party for a short time
- Keep the same terms and conditions
However, it is possible to change certain terms if you and the other party agree.
This is different from a lease renewal, which sets up the lease agreement for another term, not just a temporary period.
Use our free printable Lease Extension Agreement template to create your document in minutes.
When to Use a Lease Extension
If you are thinking about extending a lease, you should consider if it’s a good time to do so.
After all, if you have a tenant who has been constantly breaking the rules you may not want to lengthen the agreement.
Here are some ideal times when you, as a landlord, might consider using a Lease Extension:
- Tenant in good standing: If you have a tenant who consistently pays rent on time, keeps the property in good condition, and respects the terms of the lease, you might wish to extend their lease. A reliable tenant can bring peace of mind and stability.
- When the rental market is unfavorable: If the lease is about to end during a season when the rental market typically slows down (like winter), it may be beneficial to extend the lease for a few months until the market picks up.
- Not planning any renovations: If you're not planning to make significant property improvements or renovations and don’t mind your tenant staying a bit longer a Lease Extension can be used.