How LeasePlain Works
From document upload to plain-English report — a transparent look at how our AI reads, interprets, and risk-scores your lease.
The Analysis Process
You upload your lease
LeasePlain accepts PDF, DOCX, and image files. Your document is transmitted securely over encrypted HTTPS and processed in an isolated environment. We never store your lease document after processing is complete.
OCR text extraction
For scanned PDFs and image-based documents, our OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine converts your document into machine-readable text. Native PDFs and Word documents are parsed directly without OCR. This step preserves paragraph structure, headings, and section numbering — all of which help the AI understand clause context.
AI clause detection & interpretation
The extracted text is sent to a large language model trained on legal documents. The AI identifies specific clause types (rent, security deposit, maintenance, termination, etc.), interprets what each clause actually requires of both parties, and rewrites each in plain English — without legalese.
Risk scoring & red flag detection
LeasePlain evaluates each clause against common tenant-protection standards and flags provisions that are unusually restrictive, potentially unenforceable, or contrary to provincial/state tenant protections. Clauses are rated High, Medium, or Low risk based on their potential financial or legal impact.
Report generation
Your analysis is assembled into a structured report with six sections: Executive Summary, Financial Terms, Red Flags, Unclear or Unusual Clauses, Questions to Ask Your Landlord, and Negotiation Suggestions. You can read it online, download a PDF, or share a link.
You make an informed decision
Armed with a clear summary of what you're agreeing to, you can sign with confidence, ask better questions, negotiate terms, or seek legal advice on the clauses that concern you most.
The 6 Sections of Every LeasePlain Report
Every lease analysis is organized into the same six sections so you always know where to find what matters most.
Executive Summary
Lease type, term dates, monthly rent, key parties, and an overall risk overview.
Financial Terms
Rent amount, due dates, grace periods, late fees, security deposit, utilities, parking, pet fees, and any escalation clauses.
Red Flags
Clauses that may violate tenant rights, impose unusual restrictions, or create significant financial exposure.
Unclear or Unusual Clauses
Language that is vague, contradictory, or not standard — clauses you should clarify in writing before signing.
Questions to Ask Your Landlord
A personalized list of questions generated from your specific lease to help you understand ambiguities.
Negotiation Suggestions
Practical suggestions for clauses that are commonly negotiable, with language you can propose.
AI Limitations: What LeasePlain Cannot Do
Important: LeasePlain is not legal advice
LeasePlain is an educational tool. Its analysis cannot substitute for advice from a licensed lawyer or paralegal who knows your full situation, local law, and the specific context of your tenancy.
Cannot: Provide legal advice
LeasePlain describes what clauses say and what they typically mean. It cannot tell you whether a clause is enforceable in your jurisdiction or advise you on how to handle a dispute.
Cannot: Guarantee completeness
AI can miss clauses, misread scanned text, or fail to flag issues that require jurisdiction-specific knowledge. Always read your full lease document.
Cannot: Account for verbal agreements
LeasePlain only analyzes the written document you upload. Side deals, verbal promises, and emails with your landlord are not analyzed.
Cannot: Replace a lawyer for complex situations
If you're signing a high-value lease, dealing with a dispute, or have concerns about tenant rights violations, consult a licensed professional.
Cannot: Predict legal outcomes
LeasePlain cannot tell you what a court would decide if a clause were disputed. It can flag unusual provisions, not predict litigation outcomes.
When You Should Still Consult a Lawyer
- You're facing eviction or a tenancy dispute
- Your monthly rent exceeds $2,000 or you're signing a long-term lease
- You're signing a commercial lease or subletting agreement
- Your lease contains clauses that your LeasePlain report flagged as High Risk
- You're a newcomer and unfamiliar with local tenant protection laws
- Your landlord refuses to answer your questions or clarify ambiguous language
Many provinces and states offer free or low-cost legal clinics for tenants. Compare AI review vs. hiring a lawyer →