Alaska Lease Agreement

An Alaska lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord (or property manager) and a tenant that outlines the key details of a rental arrangement — including rent amount, lease duration, maintenance responsibilities, and both parties’ rights and obligations.

To be legally valid, the lease must follow Alaska’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03). This law protects both landlords and tenants by setting clear rules for rent payments, deposits, repairs, and notice periods.

Quick Tip for Property Managers:
Always use a written lease that clearly names the landlord or property manager, includes contact details, and specifies how tenants can request repairs or maintenance. This builds trust and prevents disputes later on.

Landlords and property managers in Alaska commonly use a few different types of leases:

• Fixed-Term Lease: Runs for a specific period (for example, 12 months). Rent and terms stay the same until the lease ends.
• Month-to-Month Rental Agreement: Automatically renews every month until either party gives at least 30 days’ written notice to end it.
• Sublease Agreement: Allows an existing tenant to rent out the property to another person (a “subtenant”) — but only with the landlord’s written approval.
• Commercial Lease: Used for business or retail spaces, such as offices or shops.

To make an Alaska lease agreement legally compliant, be sure to include the following details:

• Tenant and Landlord Names: Full legal names of everyone involved.
• Property Address: Full legal address and unit details.
• Lease Term: Start and end dates, along with renewal or termination terms.
• Rent Details: Monthly rent amount, due date, payment methods, and late fee policy.
• Security Deposit Terms: Deposit amount, refund policy, and deductions. Alaska limits deposits to 2x monthly rent for unfurnished units and 3x for furnished units (unless the rent exceeds $2,000 per month — AS 34.03.070).
• Entry Notice: Landlords must give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering (AS 34.03.140).
• Termination and Renewal Terms: State when and how the lease can be ended or extended.
• Required Disclosures:
  • Lead-based paint disclosures (for properties built before 1978).
  • Landlord or Manager Disclosure: The lease must clearly identify the property owner or management company and provide their contact information. This helps tenants know who to reach out to for repairs, maintenance, or emergencies (AS 34.03.080).
• Signature: Both landlord and tenant must sign and date the lease.

The main difference is the duration, flexibility, and legal obligations under Alaska law:

• Lease Agreement: Usually covers a fixed term (for example, one year). Rent and terms can’t change until the lease ends, unless both sides agree in writing.
• Rental Agreement: Typically runs month-to-month and renews automatically. Either party can end it with 30 days’ written notice, and landlords can adjust terms for the next month if they give proper notice (AS 34.03.290).

Not during a fixed-term lease. Alaska law doesn’t allow landlords to raise rent mid-lease unless the tenant agrees in writing or the lease specifically allows for a rent adjustment clause.

For month-to-month rentals, landlords can increase rent — but only after giving at least 30 days’ written notice before the new rent takes effect (AS 34.03.290(a)).

Quick Take:
Always document rent changes in writing and keep them attached to the lease file for compliance and clear record-keeping.

If a tenant ends a lease before it expires, they’re typically responsible for paying rent for the rest of the term — unless the landlord finds a new tenant.

Under Alaska Statutes §34.03.320, landlords must make a reasonable effort to re-rent the property as soon as possible to minimize financial loss. Once a new tenant moves in, the original tenant is no longer responsible for the remaining rent.

Example:
If a tenant leaves after six months of a 12-month lease and the landlord re-rents the unit within two weeks, the outgoing tenant only owes rent for that two-week vacancy.

It depends on the lease type:

• Fixed-Term Lease:
  • Ends automatically on the stated end date unless both parties agree to renew. Renewals should always be done in writing, either through a new lease or a signed addendum.
  • Early termination is only possible if the lease allows it or both sides agree.
• Month-to-Month Lease:
  • Automatically renews each month until someone gives proper notice.
  • Either landlord or tenant can end the agreement with 30 days’ written notice (AS 34.03.290(a)).

Property Manager Tip:
Send renewal reminders at least 45–60 days before the lease expires. SimplifyEm’s Lease Renewal reminders make this easy and help reduce vacancies.

Yes — but only if both the landlord and tenant agree in writing.

Any changes should be added as a lease addendum that clearly describes what’s being modified (for example, a rent change, pet policy, or added occupant). Both parties must sign and date the addendum to make it legally binding.