How to Read and Sign a Rental Agreement (Free Activity)
Did You Know?
📉 75% of renters don’t read their lease before signing.
Let’s help students not be part of that statistic. This activity makes lease-reading approachable and gives students the tools to ask smart questions before they commit to housing.
Perfect for high school transition programs, adult education, and independent living classes.
What’s Inside the Freebie
Everything you need to teach this essential skill. No prep required.
✅ Sample Lease Agreement: Explore the layout and language of a realistic rental lease.
✅ Comprehension Questions: Spark class discussion about terms and responsibilities.
✅ Annotated Lease + Answer Key: Includes highlights, notes, and potential red flags.
✅ Editable Slides: Walk students through each section with speaker notes and built-in explanations.
Why Teachers Love It
❤️ Saves your sanity – With done-for-you materials and a structured walkthrough
❤️ Builds real-world skills – So students aren’t blindsided when it’s their turn to sign
❤️ Encourages critical thinking – Students learn to slow down, spot red flags, and ask questions
❤️ Supports diverse learners – Works well with read-alouds, group annotation, or assistive tech
What Teachers Are Saying
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This is a great lesson for our student cohort. I oversee a post-secondary program for individuals transitioning into independent living and in need of life skills!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I absolutely love the sample lease and subsequent questions. I find the students don't read for details but instead infer information. Thanks so much!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This is a great resource on reading leases and details included in leases. A perfect fit for my lessons!"
Classroom Implementation Ideas
Use during a housing or independent living unit
Incorporate into special education or adult ed life skills classes
Assign as a partner activity or do a group read-aloud with annotation
Great for discussion-based learning or mock lease review
A solid sub day lesson that still builds real-world knowledge
Frequently Asked Questions
“What if my students are struggling readers?”
A valid question. This lesson was made with that in mind. I teach struggling readers too, and I don’t want them blindly signing legal documents out of confusion or fear.
✔ Try reading and annotating the lease together as a class
✔ Use highlighting or text-to-speech tools
✔ Model how to ask for help from a friend, mentor, or advocate
✔ Use this as an opportunity to teach problem-solving and coping strategies
“But leases vary so much. Will this be relevant?”
Great question. Every lease is a little different, but most include the same foundational elements: rent, security deposits, maintenance, rules, and notice periods. This sample lease mirrors the most common features students are likely to encounter, so it’s a strong starting point.
🌟 Want More?
This free activity is part of the full How to Rent a Home: Adulting 101 Lesson, which covers:
How to budget for rent and avoid scams
What to look for in an apartment
How to do a move-in inspection and set up utilities
Communication tips with landlords
How to move out without losing your deposit
It’s everything I wish I had known at 18, neatly packaged for your classroom.
