Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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Rent-to-Own Industry’s National Standards Raised with Launch of 50-State Model Lease Agreement Library

New Initiative Strengthens Transparency, Consistency, and Consumer Confidence Across $12 Billion Industry

AUSTIN, Texas – The $12 billion rent-to-own (RTO) industry is taking a major step to strengthen transparency, professionalism, and consumer confidence nationwide. The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO), America’s only national trade association representing the RTO sector, announces the launch of its 50-state Model Lease Agreement Library.

The “Why” Behind This Initiative

Rent-to-own agreements are a foundational piece within a sector that impacts many industries, such as retail, consumer goods manufacturing, and automotive aftermarket services. Clear, consistent contracts are essential to ensuring customers understand their options, costs, and rights.

APRO’s Model Lease Agreement Library modernizes those agreements across all 50 states. By updating disclosures, aligning contracts with current legal standards, and standardizing best practices, this initiative strengthens transparency and reinforces accountable business operations nationwide.

This effort comes at a time when millions of Americans rely on rent-to-own to access essential household goods, such as furniture, electronics, appliances, and tires. As demand for flexible purchasing options increase, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, maintaining clear and up-to-date agreements is critical to protecting customers and sustaining trust in the industry.

“This is a transformational moment for the rent-to-own industry that was years in the making,” said Charles Smitherman, CEO of APRO. “For decades, operators have navigated a complex web of state statutes and evolving legal requirements. Now, for the first time, our members can access state-specific agreements built not just to meet yesterday’s laws, but to withstand tomorrow’s challenges. This is what meaningful self-regulation looks like, and it will benefit both businesses and consumers.”

Setting a New Industry Standard

APRO partnered with nationally recognized compliance law firm Hudson Cook, LLP to develop the library. Unlike generic templates, each agreement is:

  • Tailored to the specific lease-to-own statute in each state
  • Updated for emerging legislative and judicial developments
  • Structured to incorporate modern arbitration and dispute-resolution requirements
  • Adapted to provide clear, transparent disclosures for consumers
  • Designed to withstand regulatory and enforcement scrutiny

Many RTO operators update leases only when a state statute changes. However, the legal environment around contracts is constantly evolving, even when the laws remain the same. This includes core contract law standards, arbitration, dispute resolution, and marketing and advertising alignment.

The Model Lease Agreement Library provides members with a state-specific, professionally developed foundation, helping them operate confidently and compliantly in every jurisdiction. It protects against risk and reflects modern legal and regulatory standards, no matter where a member does business.

How to Access the RTO Compliance Solution

Members can access the agreements at https://www.rtohq.org/model-rto-lease-agreement-library/ and engage with Hudson Cook, LLP at heavily reduced rates:

  • $250 per state
  • $375 for multiple states

This approach ensures that agreements are more than templates. They are customized, legally accountable documents aligned with the member’s operations and jurisdiction. Members may also request guidance on ancillary compliance items, including privacy policies, payment authorizations, consumer reporting notices, and other company-specific provisions.

“This benefit goes far beyond providing a document,” said Smitherman. “It gives our members a defensible, compliant foundation and direct access to counsel, raising professionalism not just for each company but for the industry as a whole.”

This initiative is a cornerstone of APRO’s strategic plan and reflects the association’s ongoing evolution from Association of Progressive Rental Organizations to the Association of Professional Rental Organizations. The rebrand underscores APRO’s commitment to professionalism, ethical practices, consumer trust, and self-regulation.

To learn more about APRO, visit https://www.rtohq.org/ or follow the organization on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Also Published By

This press release was distributed via PR Newswire and syndicated across more than 500 media platforms, including:

About APRO

The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO), formerly Association of Progressive Rental Organizations, is the only national trade association representing the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. Established in 1980 to advocate for and support the interests of RTO businesses, APRO provides its 325 member brands with essential resources, industry insights, and a strong community network. Through educational initiatives, legislative advocacy, and professional development opportunities, APRO strives to elevate the standards and success of the RTO sector, ensuring it continues to thrive and serve customers with integrity and excellence.

Media Contact: Ethan Gutstein, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or egutstein@fishmanpr.com 

SOURCE Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)

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Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Michael Kays

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.