A rent-to-rent contract must include: full party details and property description; the fixed rent amount, payment date and payment method; lease duration, break clauses and termination notice periods; explicit written permission for the operator to sublet; a clear division of maintenance and repair responsibilities; insurance requirements for both parties; and the operator's regulatory compliance obligations, including safety certificates, HMO licensing where applicable and any local short-term letting registration. Without these clauses, the contract leaves both parties exposed to financial and legal risk.