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.
·That 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?

Renter Rights – Things to do to Protect Yourself

It’s your first apartment and although you’re looking forward to this more than anything else, you still want to make sure that you protect yourself from any bad business practices or situations. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your first, or fiftieth, time on your own.

·Before you move in to your new place, make sure that you walk through the exact apartment that you’re going to move into, NOT a model. If there are any things that are wrong with the apartment make sure you tell the landlord what they are, and that you want them fixed, before you move in.

·If, for any reason, these items are not fixed by the time that you move in, document the things that need to be repaired or replaced in writing and with photographs. Send a copy to your landlord and keep a copy for yourself. These things should include any chips in the walls, broken appliances and anything in the apartment that looks worn or deteriorated. In the event that your security deposit is held for any of these items, you now have proof that they were in existence before you moved in.

·Make sure that the locks are changed before you move into your new apartment. Ask the landlord to tell you who has copies of the keys. Usually, the only other people that should have access to your apartment is the building management.

·Purchase renters insurance. You might not think that you have a great deal of stuff to cover but when you start to add it all up it will probably amount to more that you thought. Depending on the terms of the policy that you purchase, renters insurance will protect you from fire, break-ins or other disasters at a low cost.

·Landlords MUST fix major problems in the unit. It is their responsibility to keep the apartment livable and in good condition. If you signed a lease for an apartment with air conditioning, the landlord must keep the air conditioning working in the unit. If the water is shut off (and you’ve paid your bills), the landlord must fix any problem in a reasonable timeframe.

·Depending on your lease, your landlord may or may not be responsible for minor problems like leaky faucets or problems with appliances. (Make sure you ask about this before you sign the lease.) If it states in the lease that you are responsible for issues of this nature, building maintenance may be able to fix the problem but don’t be surprised if you end up with a bill for the repairs. Another good reason to make sure you document any problems before you move into the apartment.

If your landlord is not receptive to repairing major problems or is hesitant to meet with you for any other major dispute after you’ve moved in make sure you take the following steps, and take them exactly in this order:

·Submit a repair request through building maintenance.

What to Look for Before You Move In

It is imperative to walk through your potential new apartment before you move in. Insist to the landlord that you see the actual apartment that you will be renting and not a model. For your convenience,
Keep It Movin’ and Storage has compiled this checklist for you to use as you complete your unit tour. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, make sure the landlord does this before you move in. If there are many things wrong with the apartment, you might just want to pass. Look for:

· Sufficient safety features, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors, should be in place. Look inside the apartment as well as in the hallways and in other common areas.

· Check out faucets, toilets and the pipes under kitchen cabinets for potential leaks in plumbing.



· Check the water pressure in the unit. Also check the water temperature. Turn on the water in


the shower when you walk into the unit and see how long it takes to get warm or hot (your bathing preference). Keep the shower on while you complete the rest of your walk through. The temperature should remain comfortable by the time you leave the unit. If the water is cold by the time that you leave, there’s a good chance that you could run out of hot water in the mornings.



· Find out if there is an in-unit water heater or if there is one that is shared by multiple units. This will also affect the amount of hot water that runs to the apartment.



· Even though the water heater might be large enough, if it is shared, your neighbor upstairs might like to take early morning, hot showers that last an hour. Regardless of the size of the heater, if you shower after your neighbor, you’ll be cold.



· Check the water heater and furnace to make sure they are free of rust. Look for rocks, stones or other debris on the outside of the heater or furnace. This debris or chipping may indicate leaks. These leaks could possibly indicate carbon monoxide problems.



· Make sure that all appliances in the unit work properly and are not damaged. If there is not a washer or dryer in the unit, ask to see the common laundry area. Make sure the common area is well maintained and is well lit. Make sure that access to the common laundry area is limited to residents only.



· Look for any evidence of insects or rodents, both on the floor in visible areas as well as inside cabinets, drawers and closets.



· Run your hand along the outside of the window to check for drafts.



· Look up at the ceiling for any water damage. This may indicate either a leak from outside or very careless upstairs neighbors. If there is discoloration, it may be a sign of mold.



· Check to see if there is any peeling paint or wallpaper, or if any of the walls show signs of cracking or repairs. This may also indicate water seepage problems or may indicate a breech in the building foundation.



· Locks should be sturdy and not wobbly.



· Doors should open and close easily and fit well within the doorframe. The hinges should be sturdy. This is of superior importance when inspecting doors that lead to the outside. The apartment should have a deadbolt on all outside doors.



· Turn off and on all lighting inside the apartment to check for electrical shortages.



· Bring a small electrical appliance (like a radio or clock) with you. Check the outlets in the apartment to make sure that they all work properly and there are no electrical problems.



· Don’t rush through your inspection of your potential new apartment. Be thorough and take your time. After all, it will be your home for at least the next year, make sure you choose a place that you know you’ll be happy with.