Rule #1: Never sign a lease or even put a deposit down until you have seen the exact place you will be renting.
Some apartment complexes will show you a model apartment. Often, the apartment you actually get will not be as nice as the model. When you inspect the place you may rent, look it over carefully. Make sure the place does not smell bad. This could signal mildew caused by roof or plumbing leaks. Make sure the stove works. Check the refrigerator. Turn on the dishwasher. Check the garbage disposal. Turn on the water faucets and make sure the hot water works. Flush the toilet. Test the heating and air conditioning units. Open all of the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. Look for signs of insects or rodents. Look carefully at the carpet. Check around the windows. Are there any signs of leaks or water damage? Does the house or apartment have working smoke detectors? Test all of the lights.
Rule #2: Get everything in writing.
To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing. Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with a letter, setting out your understandings.
Rule #3: Write down everything that needs repair or is damaged.
Carry a pen and paper with you. Make a list of anything that is damaged or that needs repair. If you ask your landlord to make repairs, put your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself. If the landlord agrees orally, get the promise in writing or send a letter confirming this. Better yet, refuse to sign the lease or give a deposit until the items are repaired to your satisfaction.
Rule #4: Take pictures of the rental before you move in.
Before placing any belongings in the apartment you need to take a picture of all the rooms in the apartment. Make sure that you focus on all damages to the carpets. Do this with a disposal camera and get them developed within a couple of days of moving in. After they are developed, there will be a month and year time stamp on the back. If you are using a digital camera, make sure that your month and date time stamp are correct.
Rule #5: Read and understand the lease before you sign.
Many people sign the lease without carefully reading it. Often the lease consists of a long form, which the landlord will say is the “standard” form that everyone signs. Do not sign a lease until you have read it and feel you understand it. A lease is valid as soon as you sign it, and you usually cannot back out if you change your mind. You CAN modify a lease before you sign it. The law permits you to make almost any change in the terms of the lease, as long as the landlord agrees to the change. That is part of your renters rights. Do not be afraid to propose changes in the lease. Make the changes in ink and make sure that you and the landlord initial the changes. Also, make sure the terms of returning your security deposit are clearly stated.
Rule #6: Get receipts.
Make sure you get receipts for any financial transactions that occur between yourself and your landlord, such as receipts for any rent paid and any deposits. Put these in a safe place with the pictures you took of the apartment, your lease agreement, receipts and correspondence.
Rule #7: Do not leave the manager’s office without a copy of the final lease agreement.
If you get into a dispute with your landlord, you will find it difficult to rely on verbal promises that have not been put in writing. Both you and your landlord should sign and date all pages separate from the lease agreement. If you have agreements about pets, replacing the carpet, painting the walls, or who pays the utilities, such agreements should all be stated clearly in writing. Anything you want fixed, replaced, or repaired should be requested in writing. It would be wise not to rent from a landlord who will not put the agreement in writing.
One more note: When moving out, take pictures after you have moved all of your belongings out of the apartment. Make sure to include pictures of the carpeting and floors. Bad landlords will try to keep your security deposit and charge you to for getting the apartment ready for the next tenant.
Some apartment complexes will show you a model apartment. Often, the apartment you actually get will not be as nice as the model. When you inspect the place you may rent, look it over carefully. Make sure the place does not smell bad. This could signal mildew caused by roof or plumbing leaks. Make sure the stove works. Check the refrigerator. Turn on the dishwasher. Check the garbage disposal. Turn on the water faucets and make sure the hot water works. Flush the toilet. Test the heating and air conditioning units. Open all of the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. Look for signs of insects or rodents. Look carefully at the carpet. Check around the windows. Are there any signs of leaks or water damage? Does the house or apartment have working smoke detectors? Test all of the lights.
Rule #2: Get everything in writing.
To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing. Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with a letter, setting out your understandings.
Rule #3: Write down everything that needs repair or is damaged.
Carry a pen and paper with you. Make a list of anything that is damaged or that needs repair. If you ask your landlord to make repairs, put your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself. If the landlord agrees orally, get the promise in writing or send a letter confirming this. Better yet, refuse to sign the lease or give a deposit until the items are repaired to your satisfaction.
Rule #4: Take pictures of the rental before you move in.
Before placing any belongings in the apartment you need to take a picture of all the rooms in the apartment. Make sure that you focus on all damages to the carpets. Do this with a disposal camera and get them developed within a couple of days of moving in. After they are developed, there will be a month and year time stamp on the back. If you are using a digital camera, make sure that your month and date time stamp are correct.
Rule #5: Read and understand the lease before you sign.
Many people sign the lease without carefully reading it. Often the lease consists of a long form, which the landlord will say is the “standard” form that everyone signs. Do not sign a lease until you have read it and feel you understand it. A lease is valid as soon as you sign it, and you usually cannot back out if you change your mind. You CAN modify a lease before you sign it. The law permits you to make almost any change in the terms of the lease, as long as the landlord agrees to the change. That is part of your renters rights. Do not be afraid to propose changes in the lease. Make the changes in ink and make sure that you and the landlord initial the changes. Also, make sure the terms of returning your security deposit are clearly stated.
Rule #6: Get receipts.
Make sure you get receipts for any financial transactions that occur between yourself and your landlord, such as receipts for any rent paid and any deposits. Put these in a safe place with the pictures you took of the apartment, your lease agreement, receipts and correspondence.
Rule #7: Do not leave the manager’s office without a copy of the final lease agreement.
If you get into a dispute with your landlord, you will find it difficult to rely on verbal promises that have not been put in writing. Both you and your landlord should sign and date all pages separate from the lease agreement. If you have agreements about pets, replacing the carpet, painting the walls, or who pays the utilities, such agreements should all be stated clearly in writing. Anything you want fixed, replaced, or repaired should be requested in writing. It would be wise not to rent from a landlord who will not put the agreement in writing.
One more note: When moving out, take pictures after you have moved all of your belongings out of the apartment. Make sure to include pictures of the carpeting and floors. Bad landlords will try to keep your security deposit and charge you to for getting the apartment ready for the next tenant.
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