A Kansas lease agreement creates a legally binding contract between you, the landlord, and your tenant(s). You agree to rent out all (or a part of) your property to a tenant, and they agree to the terms and conditions you lay out in the lease agreement.
The document must be written according to Kansas’s landlord-tenant laws and include details such as names and current addresses of both parties, information on the premises, rent and security deposit specifics, pet-related rules, or any known health hazards or risks.
Rental Lease Laws Overview
- Rent Control: No.
- Limit on Late Fees: No.
- Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes.
- Grace Period: No.
- License Required for Landlord: Yes.
By Type (6)
Standard Lease Agreement
Enables the landlord to rent residential property to a tenant for monthly payment.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
Enable residents to opt for flexible, month-to-month occupancy of a property, without the obligation of a long-term commitment.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Allows a tenant to rent the property with the intention to operate a business.
Room Rental Agreement
Details the arrangement for a secondary tenant to rent part of a unit from a primary tenant.
Sublease Agreement
Provide the subtenant with the authorization to lease either the entirety or a portion of the rented property for a defined duration.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Provides tenants with the opportunity to buy the property from the landlord before the lease term ends.
Required Lease Disclosures
There are specific regulations for landlords and tenants entering a lease agreement. Some major disclosures are as follows [1] :
- Identification. Tenants must receive the names and addresses of all the authorized parties involved in managing the rental property [2] .
- Inventory and Condition of the Property must be conducted in the first five days of tenancy [3] .
- Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards (under federal law) for buildings built before 1978 [4] .
Security Deposit
- Maximum Amount: A landlord cannot ask for or take a security deposit greater than two months’ rent [5] .
- Receipts: Not specified.
- Interest Payments: In Kansas, there’s no requirement for landlords to pay interest on security deposits or to keep them in interest-bearing accounts. If a deposit does earn interest, the landlord can claim it [5] .
- Bank Account: Security deposits must be stored in a separate account from the landlord’s own funds at a federally insured financial institution. They can be kept in a trust, potentially within an interest-bearing account [5] .
- Returning Requirements: Landlords must return the security deposit or its balance, minus any deductions for rent or damages per lease terms, within 30 days post-tenancy. If deducting for damages, tenants must be notified within 14 days of identifying charges, but no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends [5] .
- Withholding Rules: If a landlord doesn’t properly return a security deposit, the tenant can get back the owed amount plus 1.5 times more as damages. The deposit can’t be used for rent unless the lease says so, or the landlord risks losing it [5] .
Rent Payments
- Laws: Rent is usually due at the beginning of the month for month-to-month leases, or as stated in the lease agreement.
- Rent Control: Kansas has no rent control, allowing landlords to set rents freely. However, rent cannot change during a lease term.
- Late Fees and Grace Period: There is no grace period for rent. To be enforceable, late fees must be reasonable and listed in the lease, and any terms about late fees or grace periods should be clearly stated in the rental agreement.
- Withholding Rent: State law does not allow tenants to withhold rent.
Landlord Right of Entry
- Notice Requirements: Kansas landlords must give reasonable notice before entering a rented property, with the specific time usually defined in the lease, except in emergencies [6] .
Property Repairs
Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords must ensure property habitability and safety, and perform specified maintenance tasks, but may agree in writing for tenants to handle specific duties under certain conditions without evading the landlord’s fundamental obligations [7] .
Tenant Repairs: Tenants must keep the premises in a clean and safe condition. [8]
Abandonment: If a tenant abandons their unit, the landlord must try to re-rent it. If abandoned property is found, the landlord can dispose of it after following certain notification steps. Sale proceeds go towards costs and unpaid rent, balancing recovery of losses with respect for both parties’ rights [9] .
Terminating a Lease
- Month-to-Month Tenancy: Termination of a month-to-month tenancy requires a 30-day notice [10] .
- Unclaimed Property: If a tenant abandons their possessions, a landlord can sell them after giving notice, with sale proceeds covering expenses and owed rent, and any surplus kept by the landlord [11] .
Sample
The Kansas lease agreement template below defines all necessary rental terms and can be downloaded in PDF or Word format.
