Delaware Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
A Delaware rent-to-own agreement is a contractual arrangement that allows tenants to occupy a property while retaining the option to purchase it at a predetermined price. This type of agreement provides tenants with the flexibility to evaluate their long-term housing needs without the immediate commitment to buy the property.

Delaware Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Tenant Rights and Obligations
Under a rent-to-own agreement, the tenant is granted the exclusive right to purchase the property. However, it is important to note that the tenant is not obligated to proceed with the purchase. Should the tenant choose to move forward, they must enter into a residential purchase agreement, which will detail the terms and conditions of the potential future ownership.
Landlord Requirements
Before finalizing a rent-to-own arrangement, landlords typically require prospective tenants to complete a rental application. This step is crucial as it allows landlords to assess the suitability of the tenant for the rental agreement.
Legal Framework
The Delaware rent-to-own agreement is governed by specific laws that outline the landlord-tenant relationship and the provisions related to such agreements. Key legal references include:
- Residential Landlord-Tenant Code: Title 25, Part III
- Titles and Conveyances: Title 25, Part I, Chapter 3
Statutes
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5105 – Disclosure
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5105 (b) – Disclosure
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5106 (a) – Rental agreement; term and termination of rental agreement
- Del. Code tit. 25§ 5106 (b) – Rental agreement; term and termination of rental agreement
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5106 (c) – Rental agreement; term and termination of rental agreement
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5106 (d) – Rental agreement; term and termination of rental agreement
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5107 – Renewals of rental agreements with modifications
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5111 – Attorneys’ fees prohibited
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5118 – Summary of residential landlord-tenant code
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5305 (a) – Landlord obligations relating to the rental unit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5307 – Tenant’s remedies relating to the rental unit; repair and deduction from rent
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5308 (b)(3) – Essential services; landlord obligation and tenant remedies
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5311 – Fees
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5312 – Metering and charges for utility services
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5313 – Unlawful ouster or exclusion of tenant
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5314(6) – Tenant’s right to early termination
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5316 – Protection for victims of domestic abuse, sexual offenses and/or stalking
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5501 (b) – Tenant obligations; rent
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5501 (d) – Tenant obligations; rent
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5501 (e) – Tenant obligations; rent
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5502 (a) – Landlord remedies for failure to pay rent
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5503 – Tenant obligations relating to rental unit; waste
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5507 (b) – Landlord remedies for absence or abandonment
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5507 (d) – Landlord remedies for absence or abandonment
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5507 (e) – Landlord remedies for absence or abandonment
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5509 (b) – Tenant obligation to permit reasonable access
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5513 (a) – Landlord remedies relating to breach of rules and covenants
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (a)(2) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (b) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (c) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (d) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (f) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (g) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514 (i) – Security Deposit
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5516 – Retaliatory acts prohibited
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 5715 – Execution of judgment; writ of possession
- Del. Code tit. 6 § 1301A – Actions relating to dishonor of checks, drafts, or orders; damages
- Del. Code tit. 10 § 9301(1) – Civil jurisdiction; amount in controversy
- Del. Code tit. 10 § 9301(3) – Civil jurisdiction; amount in controversy
- Del. Code tit. 10 § 8106 – Actions subject to 3-year limitation
- Del. Code tit. 10 § 8112 – Waste
- Del. Code tit. 25 § 7020 – Fees; services; utility rates
FAQs
A Delaware rent-to-own agreement allows tenants to rent a property with the option to purchase it at a predetermined price. This arrangement provides tenants the opportunity to evaluate their long-term housing plans without committing to a purchase upfront.
The key legal references for landlord-tenant agreements in Delaware include the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code found in Title 25, Part III, and the laws governing purchase agreements in Title 25, Part I, Chapter 3.
No, tenants in a rent-to-own agreement hold the exclusive right to purchase the property but are not obligated to do so. If they choose to buy, they must sign a residential purchase agreement to outline the terms.
Before entering a rent-to-own agreement, landlords should require prospective tenants to complete a rental application to assess their suitability for the arrangement.
You can download a Delaware rent-to-own agreement template in PDF or MS Word format, which can be useful for structuring your agreement.
The residential purchase agreement outlines the terms of potential future ownership if the tenant decides to proceed with the purchase of the property after the rental period.