Whether you're a landlord, a small business owner, or an international trader, creating the right type of invoice is key to getting paid on time and keeping your finances in order. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create the perfect rent invoice, sales invoice, and proforma invoice — plus, we’ll include sample templates for each.
🧾 What is an Invoice?
An invoice is a document that requests payment for goods or services provided. It includes critical information like:
- The seller’s and buyer’s details
- A description of goods/services
- The amount due
- Payment terms and due date
Different types of invoices serve different purposes. Let’s explore three of the most common ones in detail.
🏠 Rent Invoice
✅ What is a Rent Invoice?
A rent invoice is a document sent by a landlord or property manager to a tenant to formally request rent payment for a specific period.
📋 What to Include:
- Landlord and tenant contact information
- Property address
- Rental period (e.g., April 1–30, 2025)
- Rent amount
- Due date
- Late fees (if applicable)
- Payment method and bank details
🧾 Example Rent Invoice:
Landlord: John Doe
Tenant: Sarah Smith
Property: 123 Main St, Apt 4B, New York, NY
Invoice Date: April 1, 2025
Rent Period: April 1–30, 2025
Amount Due: $1,500
Due Date: April 5, 2025
Late Fee: $50 after April 5
Payment Method: Bank transfer to Chase Bank, Acc No. XXXXXXX
🛍️ Sales Invoice
✅ What is a Sales Invoice?
A sales invoice is used to request payment for goods or services provided. It is issued after a product has been sold or a service rendered.
📋 What to Include:
- Business name and contact info
- Client details
- Unique invoice number
- Date of issue and due date
- List of products/services with unit prices
- Subtotal, taxes, discounts, and total
- Payment instructions
🧾 Example Sales Invoice:
Business: Creative Prints Co.
Client: Anna's Boutique
Invoice #: 2025-1043
Date: April 10, 2025
Due Date: April 20, 2025
| Item Description | Quantity | Unit Price | Total |
|---|
| Custom T-Shirts | 50 | $12.00 | $600.00 |
| Graphic Design Setup | 1 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Subtotal: $700.00
Tax (10%): $70.00
Total Due: $770.00
Payment Method: PayPal or Direct Deposit
🌍 Proforma Invoice
✅ What is a Proforma Invoice?
A proforma invoice is a preliminary bill of sale sent to a buyer before delivering goods or services. It is often used for customs or budgeting and doesn’t require payment right away.
📋 What to Include:
- “Proforma Invoice” clearly stated
- Seller and buyer info
- Invoice date and validity period
- Description of goods/services
- Estimated prices
- Shipping terms (Incoterms if international)
- Payment terms
- Signature or stamp (optional but professional)
🧾 Example Proforma Invoice:
Seller: Global Tech Supplies
Buyer: Zenith Imports Ltd
Proforma Invoice #: PI-0425-003
Date: April 20, 2025
Valid Until: May 20, 2025
| Product | Quantity | Unit Price | Total |
|---|
| Industrial Routers | 20 | $250.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Ethernet Cables | 100 | $3.00 | $300.00 |
Estimated Subtotal: $5,300.00
Shipping Terms: FOB – Port of Los Angeles
Estimated Delivery: 14 days from payment
Payment Terms: 50% upfront, 50% before shipment
🔑 Pro Tips for a Perfect Invoice
- Always include payment terms – Net 15, Net 30, or “Due on receipt” helps set expectations.
- Use unique invoice numbers – Makes tracking and reconciliation easier.
- Be clear and professional – Use clean formatting and plain language.
- Send invoices promptly – The sooner it's sent, the sooner you'll get paid.
- Use invoicing software – Tools like QuickBooks, Zoho Invoice, or Wave can automate the process.
📌 Final Thoughts
Invoices are more than just payment requests — they’re part of your professional image. By tailoring your invoice to the type of transaction (rent, sales, or proforma), you’ll improve clarity, avoid disputes, and build trust with your clients or tenants.
Need a customizable invoice template in Word, Excel, or PDF? Just let me know and I’ll hook you up!