When you sign a rental lease agreement you are committing yourself to the terms of the lease and if things don’t work out it can cost time and money to terminate the agreement.
Be sure the rental is right for you before making a commitment.
Take a List of Questions
When you look at the property take along a list of questions. The questions can vary depending on whether it is a house, apartment complex, duplex, or condo. Questions might include;
How often is the rent increased and in what amount?
Are there any plans to update or renovate the unit?
Who is responsible for outdoor maintenance?
Are utilities included in the rent, if not which utilities are you responsible for?
What are the requirements for a full refund of the security deposit?
Where do you park and is there a fee, vehicle limit and where do visitors park?
Is regular exterminating service included?
What changes are you allowed to make to the interior and exterior?
Who do you call if there is a problem or concern you need addressed?
What type of security is provided?
Are you allowed to have a roommate?
Who besides yourself will have a key to the rental?
If there are amenities such as a fitness center, pool, laundry facility what are the hours and are there fees?
Is 24-hour emergency maintenance available?
How many times in the past year have police been called to the location?
Is smoking permitted on the property?
Where are fire extinguishers and emergency exits located?
You may have other questions as well. Writing everything down will help you remember what you want to ask. Take along a notepad and pen and write down the answers to your questions and anything else that is of importance during the tour. Take someone with you for security reasons and to be a second set of eyes and ears. They can also take notes for you so that you can focus on the rental.
Property Not Well Maintained
When you are shown the property look for signs of poor maintenance which can include;
Visible water damage.
Dirty or damaged walls and woodwork.
Dirty or damaged carpet and flooring.
Broken cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, electrical and lighting fixtures.
Doors and windows that are damaged or do not shut and lock.
Signs of mold or mildew.
Signs of insect or rodent infestation.
Appliances that are very old or damaged.
A lawn that is overgrown and has not been properly maintained.
If it is wintertime, poor snow removal.
An accumulation of garbage.
Poor outdoor lighting.
Damaged sidewalks and parking lot.
What to Check
All doors should shut properly and lock securely. Deadbolt locks should be installed on each outside door.
All windows should shut securely and lock.
Turn on each appliance and verify that they are all in working order.
Check that the HVAC system is working.
Check the sinks, tubs, showers and toilets to be sure they all work, that there is adequate water pressure and temperature, that the toilets flush and drains flow properly.
Check that all of the light switches and electrical outlets work. Take along something small like a night light or phone charger to verify that outlets work.
Make sure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Check the noise level. If you can hear noises through the walls or other loud disturbing sounds, decide if this will be a problem for you.
Check your cell reception. You don’t want to be surprised later, after you move in to discover you don’t have a strong signal.
If you can talk to some of the neighbors do so. Find out how they like living there. Ask if they have had any kind of problems with the location, crime, other neighbors, the landlord or their rental.
Verify that there is enough storage space for your belongings.
Check the safety of the neighborhood. You can use websites like
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer
To research crime statistics in the area.
Communication
A reputable landlord will provide their contact information and respond promptly to your calls and messages. If they are not responsive before you sign a lease that is probably a good indicator that they will not be responsive after. If you try contacting them several times and get no response or a very delayed response consider another rental.
The Lease
Read the lease. Don’t skim over it, read it completely before signing and be sure you receive a copy of the signed lease. It is a good idea to take the lease to an attorney to be sure everything is legal and in order.
Know what your rights are. Check your states Tenants’ Rights Handbook. You can find it online or check with your local library or The Attorney General’s Office.
Take Pictures & Videos
Take pictures and videos of the rental before signing the lease, make sure the pictures and videos include the date and time. Show these to the landlord and both of you should sign off stating that you agree this is what the rental looked like when you moved in. Pay attention to anything that is broken, damaged, worn or otherwise irregular. When you move out you might need this documentation to recover your security deposit. It can also be used as evidence if there is a dispute over property damage.
Make a List
Aside from pictures and videos you want to create a detailed inventory when you inspect the rental and before you sign a lease.
In some states landlords are required by law to provide tenants with a written statement detailing the condition of the rental, this includes a list of any existing problems.
If your state does not require the landlord to provide this documentation create a list yourself. Walk around the outside of the rental and each room inside. Note any problems, damages or repairs that need to be done. Be very detailed. For example, if you notice the carpet is dirty and damaged be specific about the type of damage such as tears, frays, stains and holes.
It is best if you and the landlord make this list together to prevent any disagreements. Then both of you should sign and date the list and each of you should keep a copy for your records.
What Should Be Included In The Lease Agreement
Rent Amount, Security Deposit & Due Date
It should indicate the rent amount and due date, any late fee charge if the payment is not made on time, what types of payment methods are accepted, how the payments should be submitted, security deposit amount and refund rules.
Utilities
It should clearly state who is responsible for each utility payment which can include gas, electric, water, cable and internet and trash service.
Keys
How many sets of keys will you be given? For security reasons the locks should be changed before each new tenant moves in. Be sure this is included in the agreement.
Parking
Where do you park, is there a fee for parking, how many vehicles can you have, where do visitors park?
Termination & Renewal Information
The lease should include the date the lease starts and ends. It should also indicate if the lease automatically renews. Early termination rules and fees should also be included.
Property Manager & Landlord Entry
Under what circumstances can the property manager and landlord enter the rental?
Visitor Information
It should include how visitations are handled. Are you permitted to have a visitor that stays for an extended period of time, is there a time limit on how long they can stay, is there an additional charge, is there a limit on the number of people allowed?
Subletting
This is important if you will be away for extended periods of time and want to sublet your apartment to cover expenses while you are away.
Maintenance
The lease should clearly state what you are responsible for and what the landlord is responsible for. Be sure all maintenance tasks, indoor and outdoor are included. If you don’t see something listed that you know will need to be done, ask that it is added before signing. It should also include how repairs will be handled and who you should contact when something goes wrong.
Pets
The lease agreement should include rules on pet ownership. Are pets allowed, is there a monthly fee or deposit required to have a pet, what type of pets and how many pets are allowed?
Renters Insurance
Are you required to have renter’s insurance?
Homeowner’s Association
If there is a homeowner’s association all details should be included in the lease.
Damage to Rental
What happens if the property is damaged by a man made or natural disaster and the property becomes uninhabitable permanently or for a period of time?
Rental Scams
When searching for a place to rent be cautious of rental scams. These often come via fake ads and social media posts. The scammer’s goal is to steal your money. They may try to get you to pay security deposits, first and last month’s rent and other fees before meeting with you or showing you the property. Once they get your money they disappear. Never send any kind of payment until you have met them, seen the property and signed a lease agreement.
Signs Of a Scam
The advertised price is much lower than similar properties.
They make you feel pressured maybe saying they have others who are interested, and you must act now or risk losing the rental.
Ads for the listing contain spelling or grammar errors.
They refuse to meet in person.
They ask you to sign a lease before you see the property.
Details about the rental are vague.
They are ready to offer you the rental with no background or credit check.
They ask that you wire them money or make a payment up front.
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