Plain-English guide. Not legal advice. A lawyer should review anything you sign.
Rent-to-own and lease options
You pay for the right to buy later. You might also pay rent.
An option fee buys time. If you do not buy, you may not get that fee back. Rent credits count toward the price only if the contract says so, in numbers.
Some states treat long rent-to-own contracts like sales and give the occupant extra protections. Texas is a well-known example. The title on the document does not decide it.
If the owner still has a mortgage, a lease option can also upset that lender. Get a local attorney involved before you move in or take a deposit.