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# Do I need a lease agreement?

Yes. In nearly all states of Australia, lease agreements must be in writing and must follow a 'prescribed form' (that is, a set of standard terms).

A **tenancy agreement** is a legal contract between a landlord or rental provider (the person who owns the property) and a tenant (the person renting it). It sets out the rules and responsibilities for both parties during the rental period. It's basically a set of rules that both the tenant and landlord agree to follow to avoid misunderstandings.

Here's a simple breakdown:

**What it covers:**
* How long the tenant can stay (fixed term, like 12 months, or ongoing).
* How much rent the tenant needs to pay and when.
* Who is responsible for things like repairs, maintenance, and paying utility bills.
* Rules about living in the property, like whether pets are allowed or if the tenant can make changes to the property.

**Why it's important:**
* It protects the tenant by giving them clear rights, like not being evicted unfairly.
* It protects the landlord by ensuring the tenant pays rent and takes care of the property.

**Common names:**
* It's also called a **lease agreement** or **rental agreement**.

With PropertyNow, you can [generate and sign a compliant tenancy agreement](https://help.propertynow.com.au/en/article/how-do-i-create-a-lease-agreement-110o11v/) in just a few clicks.