A lease is a form of contract between two people, known as landlord and tenant, for the use of real estate for a period and at a rental specified in the document. A verbal lease may be made for a short period, but if for a year or more, it must be in writing. A lease should state when, where and to whom the rent is to be paid. Each party to a lease, or other form contract should have a copy. If the premises rented should become unusable by fire or any action of the elements the tenant is still liable for rent, unless there is a special clause in the lease providing for such a contingency. A tenant cannot, without the written consent of the landlord, use the rented premises for any other purpose than that stated in the lease. AS TO REPAIRS In some states the law compels the landlord to keep the premises in habitable repair, but this does not seem to be the rule. It should be decided, where there is doubt, before signing the lease. Where it is agreed that the landlord shall keep the premises in repair, and, after due notice of the fact, he fails to do so, the tenant may himself make the repairs and deduct the amount from the rent. SUBLETTING If there is no contract to the contrary, the tenant may sublet the whole or any part of the premises, but this does not release him from liability for rent. If the tenant fails to leave the property when his lease has expired, the owner may make his demand through what is known as a "notice to quit," which must be served on the tenant in person. WHAT IS A GUARANTY? A guaranty is sometimes required to insure the payment of rent. Plainly, a guaranty is an agreement to assume, under certain conditions, the liabilities of another. If a man makes a contract, a lease, or a note, and his personal resources are not deemed sufficient to secure his performance of the things agreed to, the other may require that some one, in whom he has more faith, shall give him a guaranty, or personal security in writing. The following might be used as the form for a guaranty for a lease, contract, note or other obligation of contract: "For value received, I hereby guarantee the payment of the within lease (bond or contract). George L. Roberts." Short Hills, N. J. October 1, 1910. A BILL OF SALE This is a written agreement by which one person transfers to another his interest in certain personal property. The law lays down no rule as to the form. A bill of sale usually passes where the property paid for is not immediately removed from the possession of the seller. This form would answer in any state: "Bridgeport, Conn., Aug. 2, 1910. "I have this day sold to Calvin E. Platt, of New Haven, in this state, my team of bay horses, with their harness, one family carriage, and a two-seated cutter. "Thomas P. Fletcher." Be sure, where the bill of sale includes many articles, to name every one of them in the bill.