What is the minimum rental contract period?

All commercial relationships are managed and protected by contracts, and the rental of properties is no different, which is where the rental contract comes in. This document is extremely important for both parties.

A contract is made up of clauses that determine how the relationship between the landlord and tenant will be, from their duties to their rights and how they should act in certain situations.

They may have specific clauses, created especially for that relationship and others, standards, which are present in most lease contracts, as the rental contract is called.

A great example is the term clause, which determines how long the document will be valid for, and therefore how long the lease will last without being renewed.

It is essential that all parties involved understand the contract and clarify any doubts before signing, everything must be in accordance with the Tenancy Law and respect the agreements made for each case.

‍

What is the minimum term for this type of contract?

‍

As mentioned, although there are standard clauses, each contract is unique for each relationship, so it is the landlord and tenant who determine the ideal term for that contract, and, consequently, for that lease.

However, in the vast majority of contracts, the most common for residential properties, the established term is 30 months, there are some exceptions that may result in the early return of the property.

It may happen that the parties choose to extend the established term, making a contractual addendum with a new term, or its renewal for the same period. There is no limit to the term, there are contracts that are valid for an indefinite period, but which have their own conditions for being interrupted.

As with those who want a term of less than 30 days, another very common term is 12 months, especially in other types of contracts, other than leases .

‍

What happens if the property is returned before the deadline?

‍

Despite having an established term, the tenant is not obliged to respect it in some situations. There are ways, also established in the contract, to return the property before the end of the term, and the landlord can also ask the tenant to leave the property before the agreed term.

The contract needs to be read carefully, after all, it explicitly states how the contract termination will work for both parties. Some may have a minimum period of time to break the contract without having to pay any fine. In 30-month contracts, this period is normally 12 months.

The standard way to terminate the contract is by means of written notice, with at least 30 days' notice for the return of the property, however, depending on what was established in the contract, there may or may not be a need to pay a fine.

When the landlord requests the return of the property before the deadline, the same occurs, the tenant must be notified with a written notice, within a minimum period of 30 days, and there may also be a fine to be paid or not, it all depends on what is present in the contract.

It is essential to be protected in different situations, and to know what is being covered in the contract clauses.

To learn more about property rentals, or find great rental options, visit our website .

‍