Review Your Lease Before You Sign – A Quick Checklist
You’ll probably have a million things on your mind when you’re moving into your new place. Probably one of the most important things you need to do, and one that gets lost in the shuffle, or just gets rushed, is to thoroughly read through your lease before you sign it.
Here we’ve provided you a quick checklist to print off and take with you when you review your lease. Make sure you review all these items to ensure a happy and stress-free stay in your new place.
- Check to see when the rent is due.
- Find out where to go to pay your rent, who it should be given to, or where it should be sent.
- What are the late charges for rent not paid on time? -When do these charges begin?
- Exact amount of deposit needed.
- When is this deposit returned?
- How can you lose this deposit?
- Is there a pet deposit? If so, how much is it? When can it get refunded? Can you get this deposit back if you no longer have your pet?
- How soon after you move out is the deposit returned?
- Can you have roommates and what is the building’s policy on adding someone to the lease if necessary?
- What exactly does the rent include?
- Does the rent include any utilities? If so which ones?
- What appliances and/or furniture, if any, are included in the apartment rental fees?
- Is parking included in the apartment rental or is there an additional charge?
- Are there any additional charges for the use of any building amenities 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?
- What repairs are covered within the lease? If something happens and repairs need to be made by building management, who needs to be called? Are there any charges for repairs not covered in the lease? If so, what are those costs? How quick is the turn around for something to be fixed that is covered in the lease?
|
Email this Article
Print this Article
(Rate this article)