It’s pretty easy to get carried away in the excitement of signing a lease and breeze over its actual contents. Don’t make this mistake. When you’re signing a lease, there are a lot of things being thrown at you at once, you might be overwhelmed, and usually, the last thing you’ll want to do is read through a long lease agreement full of legal speak and technical terms. Do it anyway. Every Lease Should State
Seriously, you’re going to be living under these guidelines for the length of the agreement, make absolutely certain that you agree with everything. The most important details are your rent amount, your repair responsibilities, and your utilities.
Rent: You’re obviously not going to sign a lease unless you know how much you’ll be paying each month, but also make sure you pay attention to penalties for late payments. Also check if there is a clause that says your rent may be increased before the lease is up.
Repair and Modifications: Your lease will dictate who handles any repairs to your apartment, whether it’s you or your landlord. This can turn into a pretty big deal, especially if you are required to pay for all damages personally, but you aren’t responsible to handling the repairs. You also need to see if you are allowed to make modifications to the property, like painting, carpeting, or adding fixtures.
Utilities: Always check what utilities are included in your lease agreement. A seemingly inexpensive apartment can become a financial weight if you didn’t know you’d be paying for electric, gas, or water. Factor these things into your budget before signing your lease.