Real Estate & Rentals
Free Lease Addendum Template (PDF)
A lease addendum is a short document that changes or adds to an existing lease without rewriting it, for example adding a pet, a new tenant, a parking space, or extending the term. Once the landlord and tenant sign it, it becomes part of the lease.
Download the template
Free, no signup required. Fill in the blanks by hand, or use it below to fill and send for signature.
When to use it
Use a lease addendum whenever you and your tenant agree to change something mid-lease, or to renew it on mostly the same terms. It keeps a clear written record of exactly what changed and when, which matters when a dispute comes up later or the deposit is being settled.
What's typically included
- The lease being changed and an addendum number
- Effective date of the changes
- Space to describe each change precisely
- Ready-to-edit examples: pet, new occupant, rent change or renewal, parking or storage
- Everything else in the lease stays the same
- Which document controls if they conflict
- A prompt to check state and local rules on rent increases and fees
- Signature blocks for landlord and tenant
How to fill it in
- Name the section of the original lease you're changing and write exactly what it now says. Vague changes ("pets are now allowed") cause disputes; specific ones ("one cat, $300 pet deposit") don't.
- Delete the examples you don't use, and number your addenda (1, 2, 3...) so it's clear which came first.
- Every tenant on the lease should sign. If you're adding a new tenant, add them as a signer too.
- Don't use a pet addendum for an assistance animal. Under the Fair Housing Act, an assistance animal isn't a pet and can't be charged pet fees or deposits.
Residential leases are governed by state and local landlord-tenant law — security deposit limits and return deadlines, notice periods, late-fee limits, and required disclosures (including the federal lead-based paint disclosure for housing built before 1978) vary by location, and some cities add rent-control or just-cause rules. This template is a general starting point only — not legal advice — and should be checked against your state and local law, or reviewed by a local attorney, before use.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a lease addendum and an amendment?
In everyday use they mean the same thing: a signed document that changes or adds to a lease. Some people use "addendum" for something added at signing and "amendment" for a later change, but either works so long as both parties sign it and it clearly identifies the lease.
Can a landlord add an addendum without the tenant's agreement?
No. An addendum is a change to a contract, so both parties have to agree and sign. Some changes, like a rent increase on a month-to-month tenancy, can be made by written notice instead, under the notice rules in the lease and state law.
Can I use an addendum to renew a lease?
Yes. If you're keeping all the terms and only changing the end date (and maybe the rent), an addendum is simpler than a whole new lease. Example 3 in the template is written for exactly that.
Is an e-signed lease addendum valid?
Yes. Under the U.S. ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, an electronically signed addendum is as valid as a paper one, and DocuAgree attaches a certificate of completion showing when each party signed.
Ready to use this template?
Every word is editable before you send — this is a starting point, not a final draft.