What Is a Week-to-Week Lease Agreement?
A week-to-week lease agreement is a rental arrangement that renews every week as long as the tenant pays rent. It continues until either the landlord or the tenant gives proper written notice, as required by state law or the terms of the lease agreement itself.
Unlike a traditional lease, a week-to-week agreement does not have a set end date. That flexibility makes it easier to make changes on short notice, but both sides still need to follow notice rules to end the tenancy properly and avoid extra rent or legal obligations.
If you’re setting up or managing a rental, see our guide on how to rent out residential property for a breakdown of what landlords need to handle.
When to Use a Week-to-Week Lease
A week-to-week lease agreement often works well for short-term or temporary housing needs. It fits situations where a move-out date is uncertain or may change, and flexibility takes priority over long-term stability. These agreements are also common when rent is paid weekly rather than monthly.
Why It Can Work
- Flexible for both landlords and tenants
- Either side can end the lease quickly with written notice
- Easier to adjust or exit than a fixed-term lease
What to Watch For
- Short notice periods can create uncertainty for tenants
- Harder to plan long-term
- More frequent tenant turnover for landlords
What to Include in a Week-to-Week Lease Agreement
A week-to-week lease agreement needs clear, written terms because rent and renewal happen on a weekly schedule. Without specific details, even small issues can turn into payment or move-out problems. Key items to include:
- Weekly rent amount and day rent is due
- Proration rules for partial weeks
- Upfront payments, such as last week’s rent
- Notice required to end the lease
- Different notice rules for missed rent versus other lease violations
- Late fees based on weekly rent
- Grace period that matches weekly payments
- Deadline to return the security deposit after the lease ends
Including these terms in the lease helps both the landlord and the tenant understand how the week-to-week arrangement works. It also makes clear what happens if rent is late or when the tenancy comes to an end.
Notice Rules for Ending a Week-to-Week Lease
Ending a week-to-week lease agreement usually requires written notice equal to the rental period. In most cases, that means at least one full week of notice. The tenancy typically ends at the close of a rental week, not mid-week, unless both the landlord and the tenant agree to a different end date. That keeps rent and move-out timing straightforward.
If a tenant does not leave after proper notice, the landlord cannot force them out. Eviction still requires going through the legal process set by state law, including court steps if needed.
The exact notice rules can vary depending on state law and the terms of the lease. The table below breaks down how notice and termination typically work for week-to-week tenancies, so it’s easier to see what applies in common situations.
| State | Required Notice | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Seven days | § 35-9A-441(a) |
| Alaska | 14 days | § 34.03.290(a) |
| Arizona | 10 days | § 33-1375(A) |
| Arkansas | Seven days | § 18-17-704(a) |
| California | Seven days | § 1946 |
Because week-to-week leases end based on proper written notice, a lease termination letter helps record when notice was given and confirm the final rental week.
Sample Week-to-Week Rental Agreement
Review a sample week-to-week rental agreement to see how weekly rent, notice, and termination terms are laid out. You can customize the template to fit your situation, then download it in Word or PDF.
