A short-term rental agreement is a contract between a host and a guest for a stay of a few days or weeks, such as a vacation rental. It puts the dates, rent, deposit and house rules in writing for both sides. FormsPal's free template works like a lease agreement built for short stays, and you can create it online in minutes or download it as a PDF.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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A short-term rental agreement typically lasts between one and 30 days. During this short period of time, tenants are considered “guests” and use a fully-furnished unit. This is why a short-term rental agreement is also called a “vacation rental”.
This type of accommodation is the popular set-up for homestay sites. While these websites conveniently create an automatic lease agreement between the tenant and landlord, they also take a big commission fee. Because of this, most landlords opt to rent out directly.
For this type of lease, you’ll be encountering the following terms:
Unlike normal leases, short-term leases can be less detailed. However, this does not mean that crucial provisions will be left out. In fact, a short-term vacation agreement must be covered by unique provisions that marry together a hotel agreement and a typical lease.
A short-term rental agreement fits stays of a few days or weeks, when a host and a guest want the details in writing. Though there are other alternatives such as a month-to-month lease agreement or a short online contract, a short-term rental is used for the special reasons below:
When using short-term lease agreements, make sure that both the landlord and the tenant write their complete details. They will have to indicate their full names, addresses, and several other private information. This is necessary to ensure the safety and security of both parties. Rest assured that they are also obligated to keep the information confidential.
Once finished, the short-term lease will be governed by the applicable law. Since rental laws vary from state to state, the landlord must check if their agreements are acceptable.
The best way to do this is to review the guidelines published on your state’s or city’s website. As an alternative to drafting your own contract, you can also use FormsPal’s free short-term lease agreement template. This abides by national regulations and most state laws.
A vacation rental agreement has similar processes that are observed in typical leases. Still, there is much confusion about its process. Follow the steps below when deciding to do this business:
Short-term leases are like watered-down versions of hotel or homestay accommodations. You don’t need to serve your tenant 24/7, but you do need to be reachable and help them around. When starting this business, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with good hotels and how they “host” bookings.
After this, you may write a list of house rules. Try not to be too strict as you still want your tenants to enjoy their vacation or have a comfortable stay.
Making your property similar to hotels is not required. However, do make it convenient for your guests. Furnish your property with necessary things and prepare amenities for your tenants’ convenience (e.g. towels, pillows, etc.)
Once you have everything ready, take high-quality pictures. Feature all your rooms and areas, including the amenities you’re offering.
There are two ways to list your property:
Making bookings directly means you’re setting up your own marketing campaign. In addition, you’ll have to secure permits and other business licenses. This is great if you don’t want to pay additional fees. You can make a Facebook page or even a website and advertise these through social media.
Using online platforms is also a great way to start. Not only do they ease the burden of registrations and cover you with insurance, but it also teaches you how to host tenants. You also do not need to do much effort in marketing, since the platform advertises your real estate property.
However, these sites take as much as 25% for every successful booking. In addition, you must also prepare real estate documents to become accredited. Some of these sites are the following:
Quickly respond to short-term lease inquiries. However, do not confirm any booking until you check their social media account and verify their identity.
To finalize the agreement, you’ll need the vacation rental template plus their security deposit. In a short-term rental, a security deposit is also called a down payment. This is crucial just in case anything happens or the booking is canceled at the last minute.
In this setup, you’re not only one of the property owners, but you’re also the “host.” You’ll have to orient your tenant about your house rules and about the community. Teach them how to get around and provide a tourism flyer, if you can. All of this must be done before their check-in date.
The room or the rental property must be clean once the tenant arrives. You may assign someone to facilitate check-in, give the guests a tour, reiterate the rules, provide information, and hand over the keys.
When the tenant is ready to go, have them sign a check-out form. Make sure all your items (towels, sheets, toiletries, utensils, etc.) are accounted for. Then, return their deposit. If they had a good time, ask them to leave a review on the website.
The table lists the basics of the FormsPal template, including its other names, the time it takes to fill in and the number of fillable fields. Below it, you can watch the video and open the online builder to create your own copy.
| Document Name | Short-Term Rental Agreement Form |
| Other Names | Vacation Rental Agreement, Short-Term Rental Contract |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 12 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 64 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
These steps follow the FormsPal Short-Term Rental Agreement PDF, one part of the form at a time. Open the form, start on page 1 and work down the pages in order. You can fill in the downloaded PDF with the FormsPal PDF editor or print it and write the details by hand. Where a choice has a small Initial box, tick it for the option you pick. Keep the Host's and the Guest's details handy before you begin.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Short-Term Rental Agreement template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Open the form on page 1 and fill the opening line: the date of the contract, the Host's name and the Guest's name.
In Section 1, type the name of the Host the guest should contact during the stay.
On the next line, type the phone number or numbers where the Host can be reached.
Type the Host's email address, then move to Section 2 and write the Property's street address and a short description on the lines provided.
•Blank 1: Write the complete street address of the real estate property including the floor, house number, street name, county/city, state, and zip code). You may also add an additional description or landmark.
Write directions to the Property on the lines under Directions to the Property, so the Guest can find it.
If you will send the address and directions later, check the box after OR. Then fill in the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and the number of people the Property sleeps, and add the website with photos and details.
Page 2 gives two Access boxes. Check the first and write how to unlock the door and get in, or check the second if the access instructions will come separately.
Check one Wi-Fi box: write the password on the line, or choose the box saying it will be provided separately. In Section 3, fill in the booked days, the check-in time and the latest check-out time.
•Blank 3: Include the date and time when the guest must check-out or leave the property.
In Section 5, list everyone who will stay at the Property, with the ages of any children, and fill in the maximum number of guests.
In Section 5, write the following:
On page 3, fill in how many days before arrival payment is due. Then write each amount: rental charge with its date range, cleaning fee, security deposit, any Other lines with their explanations, and the total due before arrival.
For Section 6, write the following payment details:
Under Cancellations, the Host checks the box that applies. The choices are a refundable amount with the date it is refundable through, a fully non-refundable rental charge, or other non-refundable fees with an explanation.
![Short-Term Rental Agreement: Cancellations [Host to check the applicable box], filled with sample entries](https://formspal.com/data/DHTMLImages/Image/630101.webp)
In Section 8, write how the Guest should leave the Property on the lines provided, and note on the Key line how the key is returned.
•Blank 2: Write the complete information regarding how the key must be returned.
On page 5, in the mediation paragraph of Section 12, write the county and state where a mediation hearing would take place.
Read paragraphs A to D of Section 12.
In case of disputes, write the following:
•Blank 1: Write the county that will be in charge of the proceedings.
•Blank 2: Write the state that has jurisdiction over the contract. It will also be helpful to review its laws before
On page 6, complete the Host block and the Guest block: party name, By (signature), Name and Title. The form has no notary or witness lines.
After you fill in every part of the template, three things are left. Choose the file type you prefer, read the standard clauses on the pages that have no blanks, and sign the contract. Keep a signed copy for both the Host and the Guest.
A short-term rental agreement seems simple, but it contains several clauses to protect both the landlord and the tenant. It is also unique because landlords need to be more hands-on, especially when they try to host a booking. FormsPal’s short-term rental agreement template can remove the complicated part of this business and help both parties have a pleasant experience.
Oftentimes, landlords are tempted not to “do the paperwork.” However, when dealing with strangers who come and go, it is highly encouraged that you have a written lease agreement. Without a vacation rental contract, you might be victims of scams or theft.
Aside from security purposes, a rental contract will protect both you and the tenant. In case anything happens, the contract can stipulate guidelines for property damages, disputes, accidents, and insurance claims. If you do not have lease agreements in writing, these types of problems can be quite chaotic to handle.
Select Create My Document at the top of the page and answer a few simple questions. Then save your progress and download or print the finished document.
Yes. Use the PDF file link under the form preview near the top of the page, then fill it in on your computer or by hand.
Start with the date, the Host and the Guest on page 1. Then work through the steps above in order.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
