Apartment Leasing Tips

Read the Lease

• Although most leases have the same general wording, they can vary. Read the lease completely so you know your responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of the landlord. For example, some leases state that if a tenant makes a structural change, that change is the property of the owner. A structural change could include an expensive lock that you install on your door. When you move, you might want to take that lock with you. If you read the lease and find requirements that are unacceptable, ask to have them changed.

Additional Agreements

• If the tenant and landlord agree to terms that are not written in the lease, make sure you include the agreement in writing. Both the landlord and the tenant should sign the additional agreement, also called a rider.

Additional Tenants

• All tenants living in the apartment should be listed on the lease. This will ensure that everyone is legally responsible should damage occur to the apartment. You may have to pay a larger deposit to list a person with bad credit, but the added legal protection is worth the cost. Listing all tenants could prevent you from being stuck with a large bill.

Legal Help

• If the lease is confusing, consult an attorney for help. It may come at an additional cost, but this will prevent you from legally binding yourself to terms you don't understand.

Lease Renewals

• When you are renewing a lease, get all term changes in writing. Even if your landlord is honest, she could leave her position for a new job or forget the terms of an informal agreement.

Breaking the Lease

• Try not to break the lease. If circumstances demand you move, however, try to negotiate a middle ground with the landlord. Explain to your landlord your reasons for leaving. While he may not return your deposit, he might not take legal action or file a negative credit report.

Lease Terms

• Decide between a fixed term or a month-to-month lease. A month-to-month lease is perfect for someone who does not want to commit to an apartment for a long period of time. One downside of a month-to-month lease is that a landlord can ask you to leave the apartment with a 30-day notice. Typical lengths of fixed-term leases are six months, one year and two years. Both you and the landlord must honor the terms of the lease.