The legal relationship between landlord and tenant is defined by the lease and rental agreement -- essentially a contractual relationship -- and governed by state laws. The goal of these laws is to define the responsibilities and protect the rights of both parties to a lease, addressing such terms as deposits, deadlines for returning deposits, and other aspects of renting property. Additionally, both state and federal laws prohibit discrimination against tenants and prospective tenants, often with exceptions for age limits for retirement communities and other legitimate situations.
The Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act is a model piece of legislation that some states have adopted. In general, it requires landlords to meet minimum standards for safe housing and attempts to equalize the bargaining positions of landlords and tenants.
Idaho Lease and Rental Agreement Laws at a Glance
There is no limit on how much a landlord may require from tenants as a security deposit, nor is there any requirement for interest on a deposit. The deposit, minus any payment for repairs and cleaning, must be returned within 21 days after lease termination.
The following table lists additional details about Idaho lease and rental agreement laws. See FindLaw's Rental and Lease Agreements section for more articles.
| Code Section | 6-321; 67-5909 |
| Terms of Leases | Whether landlord waives right to give notice to quit the tenancy is question of intent; intent to waive must clearly appear; each case to be judged on case-by-case basis (Riverside Dev. Co. v. Ritchie, 650 P.2d 657, 663) |
| Deposits | No limit on deposit; no interest on deposit required; deposit must be returned within max. of 21 days or within 30 days after surrender of possession by tenant |
| Discrimination | No discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, with exceptions |
| Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act Adopted? | No |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the enactment of new laws passed by the legislature or ballot initiatives, or through other means. You may want to contact an Idaho landlord-tenant law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Lease and Rental Agreement Laws: Related Resources
