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A Kansas residential lease agreement is a legal contract between a landlord and a tenant for the rental of a property. This agreement typically lasts for a fixed term, often one year, and includes specific terms regarding rent, security deposits, and property conditions.

Required Disclosures

Kansas law mandates several disclosures that must be included in residential lease agreements:

  1. Landlord’s Name and Address: The lease must include the name and address of the landlord or authorized agent to facilitate communication regarding legal notices.

  2. Move-In Checklist: A checklist must be provided to inventory existing property damage within five days of the tenant moving in. Both the landlord and tenant should keep a copy of this checklist.

  3. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: For properties built before 1978, landlords must provide a lead-based paint disclosure and an EPA-approved pamphlet about lead hazards.

Security Deposit Laws

  • Maximum Amount: The maximum security deposit allowed is one month’s rent for unfurnished properties and one and a half months’ rent for furnished properties.

  • Returning: Landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days after the end of the tenancy. If deductions are made for damages, tenants must be notified within 14 days of identifying charges, but no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends.

Rent Payment Laws

  • Grace Period: There is no grace period for late rent payments.

  • Maximum Late Fee: Kansas law does not impose a cap on late fees; however, any late fees must be reasonable and specified in the lease agreement.

  • NSF Fee: Landlords may charge a fee of $30 for bounced checks.

Additional Lease Agreement Terms

  • Contract Binding: A lease agreement is legally binding once signed by both parties. Oral leases may be valid under certain conditions but often have limitations.

  • Notarization: Lease agreements do not need to be notarized to be valid in Kansas.

  • Automatic Renewal: Leases can automatically renew unless either party provides notice to terminate.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to include mandatory disclosures can lead to legal consequences for landlords, including potential fines and unenforceable lease provisions. Specifically, non-compliance with lead-based paint hazard disclosures can result in significant penalties.

FAQs

In Kansas, required disclosures in a residential lease agreement include the landlord’s name and address, a lead-based paint disclosure for properties built before 1978, and an inventory and condition report of the premises within five days of the tenant moving in.

In Kansas, the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge is one month’s rent for unfurnished properties and one and a half months’ rent for furnished properties. The deposit must be returned within 30 days after the end of the tenancy.

No, Kansas does not provide a grace period for rent payments. Rent is typically due at the beginning of the month, and landlords can charge late fees as specified in the lease agreement.

Yes, a lease agreement in Kansas can automatically renew. If neither party takes action at the end of the initial term, the lease typically converts to a month-to-month rental agreement, maintaining the same terms.

If a landlord in Kansas fails to return a security deposit properly, the tenant may recover the owed amount plus 1.5 times that amount as damages. The landlord must also notify the tenant of any deductions within 14 days of identifying charges.

While a written lease agreement is not strictly required for leases shorter than one year, it is highly recommended to avoid disputes and ensure clarity on terms. Oral leases can be valid but are often harder to enforce.

A Kansas residential lease agreement should include the names and addresses of both parties, property details, rent amount, security deposit specifics, terms regarding pets, and any known health hazards or risks.

Failing to include mandatory disclosures in a Kansas lease can lead to legal consequences, including potential fines and the unenforceability of lease provisions. This is particularly critical for disclosures related to lead-based paint hazards.