Before You Sign The Lease
Before you sign a lease, inspect the apartment for physical damage or safety violations. This is crucial for two reasons: You don't want to be held responsible for damage you didn't cause, and you want an apartment that's safe to live in. Take photos (or make a videotape) of existing damage, date them and get the landlord to sign them. Insist that any violations be corrected before you move in and that any repairs or improvements to be made are recorded in the lease agreement.
AGREEMENTS:
You will have to sign either a rental agreement or a lease. An application for rental and an application for deposit may be required before you actually sign the lease. A rental agreement is for an indefinite period of time (usually month-to-month) and may be terminated at any time with a thirty-day written notice by EITHER the landlord or the tenant. A lease is for a fixed period of time. The time period, amount of rent, and conditions of tenancy are specified in the lease and cannot be changed by the landlord or the tenant without just cause. Please read the agreement carefully before signing. Be sure you understand everything it states. Do not sign if the form contains blank spaces. You are legally bound to fulfill the obligations specified in this lease. Do not accept verbal agreements! Get a copy of all written agreements.
YOUR LEASE:
The lease is a legally binding contract between the resident(s) and property owner(s), which spells out the conditions under which housing is rented. If any party to the lease does not fulfill the lease obligations, the other may take legal action. It is very important to fully understand your rights and responsibilities as outlined in a lease agreement. Be aware of the contents before you sign your name on a lease. Refer to the backside of this page for guidelines to better understand the terms of your lease.
CLAUSES YOU MAY NOT WANT TO ACCEPT:
- Property owner or a representative may enter premises at any time without notice.
- Property owner may re-let the apartment without notice.
- Resident(s) are liable for attorney’s fees in all litigations arising from the lease contract, including defense of property owner.
- Resident(s) agree to abide by all rules and regulations made subsequent to the time of the lease.
- Property owner is not liable for any injury to persons, including the resident(s), family, or guests as a result of any cause.
- Resident is liable for all repairs to the premises.
GUARANTORS:
Some apartment complexes require a guarantor if you do not meet their financial qualifications. This may be of particular interest to international students. A guarantor is someone who can support your claim that you are financially responsible. The guarantor must be a US citizen and must be able to give the following information: employer information, credit history, rental history, and address/phone. The guarantor is equally responsible and liable for any remedies held against you, the resident.
SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED:
This deposit is intended to offset any damages or unpaid rent. Your responsibilities and requirements for the return of the deposit need to be outlined in your lease.
PET AGREEMENT:
A Pet Agreement is usually required in allowing pets. This usually requires an additional monetary deposit. Find out in advance about any special pet provisions and if a portion of the deposit will be retained for cleaning, repairs, or pest control services.
CHANGING THE LEASE:
Before you sign a lease, you should know that it can only be changed by negotiating with the owner. All changes should be written into the lease and initialed by you and the manager. All parties listed on the lease, must initial any changes to the lease. If you and your manager agree to make changes to the lease, after it is signed, be sure they are noted on the lease or separate sheet of paper. No matter where it is written, the agreement should be dated and signed by both you, the manager, and any other parties on the lease. Keep a copy for your files.