Cash for Keys Agreement Generator
Fill in the details below to generate a cash-for-keys agreement with the payment terms, move-out conditions, and non-admission-of-tenancy language a landlord-tenant attorney would typically include, and download it as a PDF.
Not legal advice. This is a general template. Requirements vary by state and locality, confirm current requirements with a local attorney before relying on this document.
Agreement Details
We recommend paying some or all of the amount only after the occupant has actually vacated and returned the keys. Paying everything upfront removes your leverage to make sure they actually leave.
A cashier’s check, money order, or bank transfer leaves a paper trail. Avoid personal checks, which can be stopped after the occupant has already left.
Frequently asked questions
What does this agreement actually protect me from?
The two biggest risks in a cash-for-keys deal are paying someone who doesn't actually leave, and accidentally strengthening their legal position by treating them like a tenant. This template addresses both: payment is tied to the occupant actually vacating and returning keys, and a dedicated clause states that offering payment is not an admission that the occupant is or ever was a tenant.
Should I pay before or after they move out?
After, or mostly after. If you pay in full upfront, you have no leverage left to make sure they actually leave. This tool defaults to payment on move-out, and also offers a split option (a smaller amount at signing, the rest on move-out) if that's what it takes to get the deal done, but the full amount is never structured to be paid before the occupant vacates.
Is this different if the occupant is an actual tenant instead of a squatter?
Yes, and this matters a lot. Buying out a real tenant, especially in a rent-controlled city, can trigger specific legal requirements: mandatory disclosures, a right to rescind, or even filing the agreement with a local rent board. Those requirements are jurisdiction-specific and not built into this template. If the occupant has a real lease, confirm your city's rules with a local landlord-tenant attorney before finalizing anything.
Do I need this notarized?
Not usually required, but notarization or at least a witness signature makes the agreement harder to dispute later if the occupant claims they never signed it or didn't understand it. Worth doing if the amount is significant.
What if they sign this and then don't leave anyway?
The agreement's Failure to Comply clause exists for exactly this: if the occupant doesn't vacate by the date agreed, you owe them nothing further, and you keep every legal right to pursue a formal eviction you'd otherwise have. Signing this agreement does not waive that.
Legal disclaimer
This tool generates a general template and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements for cash-for-keys agreements, tenant buyouts, releases, and notice vary by state and locality, and some jurisdictions (particularly rent-controlled cities) impose additional disclosure or filing requirements when the occupant is an actual tenant. Confirm current requirements with a licensed attorney in your state before relying on or signing this document.