In terms of the Rental Housing Act, a lease must contain the following minimum information:
· the landlord's name and address;
· the tenant's name and address;
· a description of the property, e.g. its address;
· how much rent the tenant must pay and details of any escalation (increases in rent);
· any other moneys which the tenant must pay;
· when the rent must be paid '” it is usually at the beginning of each calendar month;
· how much deposit the tenant must pay as security for any damage he or she might cause;
· the period of the lease '” if there is no specific period, the lease must state how much notice must be given to end it;
· the landlord's and tenant's obligations towards each other;
· a list of existing defects to the property;
· any house rules that the tenant will have to obey; and
· a list of furniture and fittings (if the property is being let as a furnished unit).
