Sign a lease for your apartment
It is important to fully understand and read the rental agreement for your apartment. There is legal ease and there is direct language. Here are some things to consider before signing your new apartment lease:
o Check when the rent is due.
o Find out where to go to pay the rent, who to give it to, or where to send it.
o What are the late fees for rent that is not paid on time? -When do these charges begin?
o Exact amount of deposit required.
o When is this deposit returned?
o How can you lose this deposit?
o Is there a pet deposit? If so, how much does it cost? When can it be reimbursed? Can you get this deposit back if you no longer have your pet?
o How soon after moving in is the deposit returned?
o Can you have roommates and what is the building’s policy on adding someone to the lease if necessary?
o What exactly does the rent include?
o Does the rent include utilities? If so, which ones?
o What appliances and / or furniture, if any, are included in the apartment rental rates?
o Is parking included in the apartment rental or is there an additional charge?
o Is there an additional charge for the use of building services, such as the gym or community center? If there are additional fees, what are they, and if you don’t use the amenities, will you still be responsible for those fees?
o What repairs are covered under the lease? If something happens and the building management needs to make repairs, who should be called? Is there a charge for repairs not covered in the lease? If so, what are those costs? How fast is the repair process for something that is covered in the lease?
o How far in advance do you need when you reach the end of your lease and are planning to move out?
o If you need to move out before the end of your lease, what fees will you be responsible for?
o Check to see if there are any specific cleaning instructions that need to be followed before moving in. If they are not followed to the letter, part of your deposit can be accessed to cover these cleaning costs.
Most leases have a noise and nuisance clause. This means that the tenant (the tenant) and anyone in his apartment will not disturb the other tenants in the building or use the apartment for illegal purposes.
Other common regulations include countries for losses, how tenant and landlord will be notified, when subletting is allowed, if allowed, when a landlord can enter your apartment.
Depending on your state, there are laws regarding what a landlord may or may not require within their lease, so do a little research and find out your rights.
If you need to make a change to your lease, ask to add a provision to your lease. Ask for the change to be written into the lease, and then both you and the manager should initial the change. Never accept something only verbally, make sure all agreements are put in writing.
If you don’t understand something, ask questions. And don’t feel pressured to sign the lease right there. Take some time with your lease and make sure you understand everything and everything that goes into it.
And lastly, don’t forget to get a copy of your lease for your records!