Does a landlord have to give you a copy of the lease?
Short answer: Many states require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease and to disclose the owner or manager's name and address. Check your state below.
If you never received a lease, you may still be a tenant (often month-to-month) with full rights under state law.
The rule in every state
Each answer below links to the statute or official page it comes from (48 of 51 jurisdictions verified).
| State | Copy of lease / disclosures |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The Act does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease. The landlord must disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the name and business address of (1) the property manager and (2) an owner, or a person authorized to accept legal papers and notices for the owner. This information must be kept current. A person who fails to disclose becomes the owner's agent for service and for the landlord's duties. If one side does not sign the lease but accepts rent (landlord) or possession (tenant), the lease takes effect anyway, for no more than one year. Ala. Code § 35-9A-202; § 35-9A-162 |
| Alaska | Yes. The landlord must give the tenant a copy of any written rental agreement, tell the tenant about any rules not in the agreement, and keep the tenant informed of any change to the landlord's or manager's address. The property manager's identity must be disclosed to the tenant in writing. If it is not, the manager may be liable as if they were the landlord. AS 34.03.080; AS 34.03.030 (as cited by the Alaska Department of Law handbook) |
| Arizona | Yes. If there is a written lease, the landlord must give the tenant a signed copy, and the tenant must sign and return one fully executed copy within a reasonable time. All blanks must be filled in. Failing to do so is a material noncompliance. At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the property manager and of an owner or agent authorized to accept legal papers and notices. The landlord must also tell the tenant in writing that the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is available on the Arizona Department of Housing's website. This information must be kept current and provided again when the tenant asks. A.R.S. § 33-1322(A)-(E) |
| Arkansas | No statute found requiring the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the lease or to disclose the owner's or manager's identity. The Attorney General advises tenants to keep a copy of the lease and notes that both oral and written leases are binding. Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Ch. 17 (checked); Arkansas Attorney General, 'Landlord and Tenant Rights' |
| California | Yes. The owner, or whoever signs for the owner, must give the tenant a copy of the lease within 15 days after the tenant signs it, and another copy once a year within 15 days if the tenant asks. The lease must disclose: the name, phone number and street address for personal service of the property manager and of the owner or the owner's agent for service and notices; the name, phone and address for rent payments, including days and hours if paid in person (or a bank account or electronic transfer details instead); and the accepted forms of payment. For an oral lease, the same information must be given in writing within 15 days. A successor owner or manager must comply within 15 days, and may not evict for nonpayment of rent that came due while it was not in compliance. Cal. Civ. Code § 1962(a)-(d) |
| Colorado | Yes. If there is a written lease, the landlord must give the tenant a copy signed by both parties no later than the 7th day after the tenant signs. An electronic copy is allowed unless the tenant asks for paper. The lease must state the name and address of the landlord or the landlord's authorized agent. If either changes, the new landlord or agent must notify each tenant in writing or electronically, or post the change conspicuously on the premises, within 1 business day. Unless the landlord is exempt, the lease must also include a statement that source-of-income discrimination is prohibited. Small landlords (5 or fewer single-family homes and no more than 5 units in total) are exempt from that statement. C.R.S. § 38-12-801(1), (2), (2.5) |
| Connecticut | No statute found requiring the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease. On or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the name and address of (1) the property manager and (2) the person authorized to receive notices, demands and legal papers, and keep this current. A successor landlord must do the same when it takes over. If the landlord fails to, the person who signed the lease for the landlord becomes the landlord's agent for service and repair duties. Other move-in items: a written notice that the unit is in a common interest community (if rented from the declarant); an offer of a pre-occupancy walk-through using the state checklist; and, for buildings with 5 or more units, a notice of protected-tenant rights. Since 2025, landlords must provide a copy of the rent ledger when the tenant asks. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6; § 47a-3e; § 47a-7d; § 47a-23c; § 47a-3a(d) |
| Delaware | Yes. If there is a written lease, the landlord must give the tenant a copy free of charge. Each written lease must prominently disclose the names and usual business addresses of all owners (or their resident agents) and of anyone deemed a landlord. For an oral lease, the landlord must provide this information in writing when asked. At the start of the tenancy, the landlord must give the tenant the Attorney General's summary of the Landlord-Tenant Code. If the landlord does not, the tenant may plead ignorance of the law as a defense. Under 85 Del. Laws c. 277, the landlord must also provide the state's Rights and Responsibilities Guide before the tenant signs, and again at each renewal of one year or more. The tenant acknowledges receipt, and paper or electronic format is allowed. 25 Del. C. § 5105(a)-(b); § 5118; § 5124 |
| District of Columbia | When a prospective tenant applies, the housing provider must give a disclosure form published by the Rent Administrator, with supporting documents. It covers: the rent; pending petitions; surcharges; how often rent may be raised; rent-control or exempt status, with the business license and registration; housing code violation reports from the last 12 months; the Rent Administrator's rent-increase pamphlet; application fee, deposit, interest and return method; condo or co-op conversion status; ownership information; known mold in the last 3 years; and the Tenant Bill of Rights. Disclosure compilations must be kept available for inspection. Once a year on request, the landlord must disclose the rent increases of the past 3 years within 10 business days. No statute found requiring the landlord to hand over a copy of the signed lease. D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(a)-(b) |
| Florida | There is no general statute requiring the landlord to hand over a signed copy of the lease. Required disclosures: (1) at or before the tenancy starts, the name and address of the landlord or the person authorized to receive notices (§ 83.50); (2) written notice within 30 days of receiving a deposit or advance rent, stating how and where it is held (§ 83.49(2)); (3) since 2025, a separate flood-risk disclosure at or before signing a lease of 1 year or longer (§ 83.512). Fla. Stat. §§ 83.50, 83.49(2), 83.512 |
| Georgia | No general statute requires giving the tenant a signed copy of the lease. Required disclosures: (1) at or before the tenancy starts, in writing, the names and addresses of the owner of record (or the person authorized to accept legal papers and notices) and of the property manager, with changes disclosed within 30 days (§ 44-7-3); (2) before signing a written lease, written notice of the property's tendency to flood if flooding damaged the living space at least 3 times in the past 5 years (§ 44-7-20). O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-3, 44-7-20 |
| Hawaii | Yes. If the rental agreement is written, the landlord must give the tenant a copy. At or before move-in, the landlord must also disclose in writing the name and address of each property manager and of each owner (or the owner's agent for legal papers, rent, and notices), and keep this current. A landlord who lives out of state or on another island must name an agent on the same island in the written rental agreement. The landlord must give receipts for rent paid (a canceled check counts) and provide its general excise tax number to tenants. In multi-unit buildings, the owner/manager information may instead be posted as the statute specifies. HRS § 521-43(a), (d)-(h) |
| Idaho | No statute — Idaho's landlord-tenant statutes (Title 6 ch. 3; Title 55 chs. 2-3) do not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the lease or to disclose the owner's or manager's identity at move-in. The only move-in duty found is that the landlord must verify that approved smoke detectors are installed and working when the rental agreement begins (§ 6-320(a)(6)). Idaho Code Title 6, ch. 3; Title 55, chs. 2-3; § 6-320(a)(6) |
| Illinois | No statewide statute in the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705) requires giving the tenant a signed copy of the lease or disclosing the owner's identity. Required written disclosures before signing: whether the property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and any known flooding; for garden, basement or first-floor units, any flooding in the last 10 years (Sec. 25). For leases entered into on or after Jan. 1, 2027, all mandatory fees must appear on page 1 of the lease and listings must disclose whether utilities are included (Sec. 35, P.A. 104-479). Sec. 35 exempts owner-occupied buildings of 6 units or fewer. 765 ILCS 705/25; 765 ILCS 705/35 (eff. 1-1-27) |
| Indiana | No statute found requiring the landlord to hand over a signed copy of the lease. Required disclosures: at or before the start of the rental agreement, the landlord must give the tenant in writing the names and addresses of an Indiana resident authorized to manage the unit and an Indiana resident agent for legal papers, notices and demands (IC 32-31-3-18). If not disclosed, the tenant may recover reasonable expenses spent finding this information. The lease must also disclose if the structure is in a 100-year flood plain (IC 32-31-1-21), and, for leases since July 1, 2023, if the property is near a military installation in a state area of interest (IC 32-31-1-21.1). IC 32-31-3-18; IC 32-31-1-21, 32-31-1-21.1 |
| Iowa | No Iowa statute requiring the landlord to give the tenant a signed copy of the lease was found. Required disclosures at or before the start of the tenancy: (1) in writing, the name and address of the property manager and of an owner or the owner's agent for legal papers, notices and demands, kept current and binding on successors (§ 562A.13(1)-(3)); (2) before signing, a full explanation of utility rates, charges and services unless the tenant pays the utility directly (§ 562A.13(4)); (3) in writing, whether the property is listed in the federal EPA CERCLIS (Superfund) system (§ 562A.13(6)). Iowa Code § 562A.13 |
| Kansas | No statute found requiring the landlord to give the tenant a signed copy of the lease. Required: (1) at or before the tenancy starts, a written disclosure of the name and address of the property manager and of an owner or the owner's agent for legal papers, notices and demands, kept current and binding on successors (K.S.A. 58-2551); (2) within 5 days of move-in, a joint written inventory of the unit's condition and any furnishings or appliances, signed by both, with a copy given to the tenant (K.S.A. 58-2548). K.S.A. 58-2551; K.S.A. 58-2548 |
| Kentucky | No statute found requiring the landlord to give the tenant a signed copy of the lease. In URLTA areas, the landlord must disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the name and address of the property manager and of an owner or the owner's agent for legal papers, notices and demands, kept current and binding on successors (KRS 383.585). Outside URLTA areas, no such disclosure statute was found in KRS ch. 383. KRS 383.585 |
| Louisiana | Not verified yet |
| Maine | No statute requiring a signed lease copy was found in chapters 709/710. Before entering a lease or tenancy at will, the landlord must give the prospective tenant a written total-price disclosure of the rent, fees and other costs the tenant will pay. Other required disclosures include energy efficiency, radon, lead and smoking policy. A person authorized to sign the lease is the owner's agent for notices and service. 14 M.R.S. § 6030-J(2); § 6023; ch. 709-710 checked |
| Maryland | Landlords offering 5 or more units must use a written lease. Every lease must include a habitability statement, each party's duties for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs, a security-deposit receipt, and a copy of the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (DHCD). On written request, the landlord must give a prospective applicant a copy of the proposed lease form without requiring signing or a deposit. The landlord's name, address and phone, and the agent for notices and service, must be in the lease or posted on the property. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(a)-(c); § 8-210(a) |
| Massachusetts | Yes. A landlord who has the tenant sign a lease must deliver a copy signed by the landlord within 30 days. Violations carry a fine of up to $300, and waivers are void. M.G.L. c. 186, § 15D |
| Michigan | No statute requiring a copy of the signed lease was found. A landlord who takes a security deposit must give the tenant written notice within 14 days of move-in stating the landlord's name and address for communications, the bank or surety holding the deposit, and the tenant's duty to give a forwarding address within 4 days after moving out (bold-type statement required). MCL 554.603 |
| Minnesota | Yes. When there is a written lease, the landlord must give a copy to each tenant who signed it. If not, the tenant has a defense in most lease-enforcement actions (except nonpayment, disturbing the peace, malicious destruction, or illegal activity). Before the tenancy starts, the landlord must also disclose in writing the name and address of the property manager and of the landlord or its agent for service of process and notices, and post that notice. Without this disclosure, the landlord generally cannot sue for rent or possession. Buildings with 12+ units must use written leases. Minn. Stat. § 504B.115; § 504B.181; § 504B.111 |
| Mississippi | Not verified yet |
| Missouri | No statute requires giving the tenant a copy of the lease. The landlord must disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the name and address of the property manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for service of process and notices), and keep it current. If not, whoever is managing the property becomes the landlord's agent for service and notices. RSMo 535.185 |
| Montana | No statute requires the landlord to hand the tenant a copy of the signed lease. The landlord must disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the name and address of the property manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for service of process and notices), and keep this current. A landlord who fails to do so becomes the agent of the landlord for notices and duties. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-301, 70-24-204 |
| Nebraska | No statute requires the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease. At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the property manager and of an owner (or the owner's agent for service of process and notices), and keep this current. A person who fails to disclose becomes the landlord's agent for notices and duties. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1417 |
| Nevada | Yes. Any written rental agreement must be signed by both sides, and the landlord must give the tenant one free copy when it is signed, plus more copies within a reasonable time on request (a reasonable fee may be charged for extras). The landlord must also disclose in writing, at or before the start of the tenancy: the names and addresses of the manager, an in-state agent for service of process, and the owner; and a local emergency phone number. NRS 118A.200(1)-(2); NRS 118A.260 |
| New Hampshire | No statute requires the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the lease. On receiving a security deposit, the landlord must promptly give a signed receipt stating the amount and where it is held (unless paid by check). The landlord must also tell the tenant in writing to list any conditions needing repair within 5 days of move-in. RSA 540-A:6, I(b)-(c) |
| New Jersey | In buildings with more than 2 units (more than 3 if owner-occupied), the landlord must give each new tenant the current DCA Truth in Renting Statement at or before signing the lease (penalty up to $100 per offense). Landlords must also give each tenant a written Landlord Identity registration statement. It names the owner, managing agent, emergency contact, an in-county agent for service of process, mortgage holders, and more. Amended statements must reach tenants within 7 days of filing. An unregistered landlord's eviction case is held for up to 90 days and then dismissed if the landlord has not complied. N.J.S.A. 46:8-44 to -47 (Truth in Renting Act); 46:8-27 to -37, esp. 46:8-28, -28.2 (Landlord Identity Law) |
| New Mexico | No statute requires the owner to give the resident a copy of the signed lease. At or before move-in, the owner must disclose in writing the name, address and phone number of the property manager and of an owner (or the owner's agent for service of process and notices), and keep this current. If the owner fails to do so, the resident is excused from the Act's requirements to give notice to the owner. NMSA 1978, § 47-8-19 |
| New York | Not verified yet |
| North Carolina | No statute — Chapter 42 does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease or to disclose the owner's or agent's identity at move-in. N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 42 (section list reviewed) |
| North Dakota | No statute requires the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease or to disclose the owner or agent. The landlord must give the tenant a move-in condition statement, signed by both, when the rental agreement is made. N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.2; ch. 47-16 checked |
| Ohio | No statute requires giving the tenant a copy of the lease. Every written residential lease must state the name and address of the owner and of any agent (for an entity, its principal place of business plus the person in charge). With an oral lease, the landlord must give the tenant this information in writing at move-in. If the landlord fails to do so, the tenant is excused from giving the landlord the written notices otherwise required before rent escrow or other tenant remedies. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.18 |
| Oklahoma | No requirement to give the tenant a copy of the lease was identified. Every rental agreement must state prominently, in writing, who is entitled to accept service and notices, and at what address. At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the manager, the owner, or the owner's agent for service and notices, and keep it current. A person who fails to do so becomes a landlord and agent for service and for the landlord's obligations. 41 O.S. § 116 |
| Oregon | At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the property manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for service of process and notices), and keep this information current. The landlord must keep a copy of the rental agreement on file, let the tenant inspect it on request, and give the tenant a copy on request for a fee of no more than the lesser of 25 cents per page or actual cost. For buildings with 4 or fewer units, the landlord must also disclose any pending foreclosure, notice of default, or similar proceeding before the lease is signed. ORS 90.305, 90.310 |
| Pennsylvania | No statute — the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the lease or to disclose the owner or manager. Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq.) checked |
| Rhode Island | No statute requires handing the tenant a signed copy of the lease. At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name, address, and phone number of the manager and of the owner (or the owner's agent for notices and service), and keep it current. The lease (or a written statement, if there is no written lease) must disclose all fees beyond rent next to the rent amount, which utilities are included, and any renters-insurance requirement. Undisclosed fees can be recovered. If the landlord does not sign the tenant-signed lease, accepting rent without reservation makes it binding anyway. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-20, 34-18-15(a)(1)-(5), 34-18-16 |
| South Carolina | No statute requires giving the tenant a copy of the lease. At or before move-in, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of an owner, or of the owner's agent for service of process and notices, and keep it current. A manager who fails to do so becomes the landlord's agent for notices and for the landlord's obligations. If security deposits differ between tenants, the standards must be posted or given in writing before signing. S.C. Code §§ 27-40-420, 27-40-410 |
| South Dakota | No statute — SDCL ch. 43-32 does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the lease or to disclose the owner or manager. The landlord must disclose known prior methamphetamine manufacturing on the premises. SDCL 43-32-30; ch. 43-32 checked |
| Tennessee | Owner/agent disclosure required (URLTA counties): at or before the start of the tenancy the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the managing agent (which may be a management company) and of an owner or agent authorized to accept service of process and notices, plus a phone number or e-mail address for maintenance or an online portal; the information must be kept current and binds successor owners. A person who fails to disclose becomes the landlord's agent for service. The landlord must also advise in writing that it does not provide fire or casualty insurance for the tenant's property. No statute requiring the landlord to hand over a copy of the signed lease was found in the sections reviewed. T.C.A. § 66-28-302; § 66-28-201(a) |
| Texas | Yes. The landlord must give at least one complete copy of the lease to at least one tenant-party within 3 business days after all parties sign, and to any other co-tenant within 3 business days after a written request. Paper, electronic (if the tenant requests) or e-mail (if the parties have e-mailed about the lease) is allowed. Failure does not void the lease, but a court must abate a landlord's suit to enforce the lease (other than for nonpayment of rent) until a copy is provided. Ownership/management disclosure: on request (or in the lease or posted), the landlord must disclose the record owner's name and address and any off-site management company's name and street address, within 7 days of the tenant's request. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.024; 92.201-92.202 |
| Utah | Yes. At or before the start of the rental term the owner must give the renter an executed copy of a written rental agreement and a copy of any rules and regulations, and disclose in writing the name, address and phone number of the owner or the authorized manager, and of any person authorized to receive notices if different. Before signing, the owner must provide a written condition inventory, a move-in condition form, or a walkthrough opportunity. Utah Code 57-22-3 |
| Vermont | No statute — Vermont's Residential Rental Agreements chapter does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease or an owner/agent identity disclosure at move-in. (Related: application fees are banned and a landlord may not require a Social Security number.) 9 V.S.A. ch. 137 (checked); § 4456a |
| Virginia | Yes. The landlord must offer a written rental agreement with the DHCD Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities (tenant signs an acknowledgment form), and must give the tenant a copy of the signed lease and the Statement within 10 business days of the lease's effective date. Failure does not void the lease, but the landlord cannot file or maintain a suit (including unlawful detainer) for a lease violation until the Statement is provided. On request the landlord must give one additional hard copy per year or keep the lease electronically accessible, free of charge. At or before the start of the tenancy the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the manager and of an owner or owner's agent; on a sale, the landlord must give the purchaser's name, address and phone number. Va. Code Sec. 55.1-1204(B), (H); 55.1-1216 |
| Washington | Yes. When there is a written rental agreement, the landlord must give an executed copy to each tenant who signs it; the tenant may request one free replacement copy during the tenancy. The landlord must designate the name and address of the landlord on the rental agreement or by a notice conspicuously posted on the premises, and give immediate written notice of changes. At signing the landlord must also give fire-safety/smoke-detector disclosures and Department of Health mold information; for leases entered into after Dec. 31, 2026, flood-hazard and renter's-insurance disclosures are also required. RCW 59.18.065; 59.18.060(12)-(14), (16) |
| West Virginia | No statute — West Virginia law does not require the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease or an owner/agent identity disclosure at move-in. W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 and art. 6A (checked by section titles) |
| Wisconsin | Yes (administrative rule). Written rental agreements and landlord rules must be shown to a prospective tenant before the agreement is signed and before any earnest money or security deposit is taken, and copies must be given to the tenant at the time of agreement. At or before signing, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the person authorized to collect rent and manage the premises and of the owner or other person authorized to accept service of process (an in-state address where personal service can be made), and keep this current. Every residential lease must also include the statutory Notice of Domestic Abuse Protections. A lease may provide for electronic delivery of the lease copy. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.03(1), 134.04(1); Wis. Stat. § 704.14; § 704.10(1) |
| Wyoming | No statute — Wyoming does not require the landlord to give a copy of the lease or an owner/agent identity disclosure at move-in. The only required move-in disclosure is written notice in the rental agreement if any part of a deposit is nonrefundable. Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1207; §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 (checked) |
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.