Rental Agreements and Standard Leases

So you have searched and found the perfect home to rent. You have negotiated the terms of your occupancy: how much, what is included, when you take possession and when you leave. You know that you need an agreement, either a rental agreement or a lease. So what is the difference. Very simply rental agreement are basis understandings. Typically they include the address of the property, the amount of the rent and basic elements of the agreement. Often the are month to month, meaning either party can end the agreement with a month's notice.
Leases on the other hand are formal contracts that include start dates and end dates.
Both parties agree to honor the full length of the agreement. Leases are often several pages long and are comprehensive. They typically spell out all of the details from utilities, date rent is due, security deposits, breech of the agreement etc.
One very important note, there is not such thing a 'standard lease.' Typical leases are pretty standard, but you much read the lease very carefully to see what it requires. In Rhode Island it is common for water to be paid by the landlord, but that is not always the case and is changing. Recently, we had as issue between a landlord and a tenant, because the tenant thought the water was paid by the landlord. The agreement was clear, water was the responsibility of the tenant.
As with all agreements, read them carefully, and if they are not clear, a get legal advice.