The most important source of information about the rights and responsibilities of residential landlords and tenants is the written lease agreement. Some landlords prefer oral agreements, but it is more common for them to require the tenant's signature on a written lease—and a written lease protects the tenant more than an oral agreement. Be sure to read the lease carefully before you sign it.

If a tenant wants to change part of the lease, the tenant should discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord agrees, the landlord and tenant should decide how they want to word the change and then write it into the agreement. Both the tenant and the landlord should then initial the change. For example, many standard leases prohibit pets, but the landlord may be willing to accept a pet if the tenant puts down extra money as security (a pet deposit) to protect against any damage the pet might do.

A state’s landlord-tenant laws may provide additional rights and responsibilities and further define the rights and responsibilities identified in the lease agreement. These laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Florida, the written lease agreement is a crucial document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both residential landlords and tenants. While oral agreements are legally binding, a written lease provides clearer protection and is typically preferred. Tenants should thoroughly review the lease before signing. If a tenant wishes to modify any part of the lease, they should negotiate with the landlord. Any agreed-upon changes should be written into the lease and initialed by both parties to ensure the modification is legally recognized. For instance, if a lease prohibits pets, a landlord might allow a pet in exchange for an additional security deposit. It's important to note that Florida's landlord-tenant laws, which can be found in the state's statutes, may supplement the lease by providing additional rights and responsibilities that are not explicitly mentioned in the lease agreement. These laws are designed to further define and support the contractual relationship between landlords and tenants.