Before signing that lease, it is important to read the fine print and be aware of what your landlord expects of you, as well as what you can expect of your landlord. Make sure you review the lease carefully for provisions relating to often overlooked polices such as guests, parking, pets, and painting. Here are some other things you might want to be aware of before signing:

• Make sure the lease accurately reflects the terms and dates of the lease as agreed upon by you and the landlord. It is also helpful to know what happens once the lease agreement expires. Do you have the option to renew, or does the lease change to a month-by-month agreement? Along the same lines, know what the lease says about termination. What events give the landlord the right to evict you, and what events might allow you to get out of your lease early if necessary?
• The purpose of the security deposit is to ensure that rent is paid on time, and to cover unusual repairs that may be needed when a renter moves out due to damage caused by the renter. Deductions from your deposit should only be taken for unreasonable damages to the rental space, and not for typical or everyday wear-and-tear, unless otherwise stated in the lease and agreed upon by both landlord and tenant. It is important to make a list and/or take pictures of any damage at the premises before moving in, so that you are not charged for damage you did not do.
• Know which utilities you are expected to pay for and have it clearly stated on the lease agreement, you want absolutely everything to be clear on paper, not assumed or verbally agreed upon. Put those utility bills under your name as soon as you move into a new residence. Also verify with the utility companies that you are only being required to pay for the charges associated with your particular space. It is always a bad idea to be on shared utility meters.
• It may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure your lease states the monthly rent amount and what day the rent is due each month. It needs to also clearly state what happens if you pay your rent late and if you are given a grace period for paying. Some landlords will put a provision in the lease that provides for automatic rent increases. Steer clear of stipulations that allow rent increases at the landlord’s discretion. Along the same lines, do not sign a lease in which you are required to follow any “future rules” the landlord may decide to implement.
• Protect your privacy by not signing leases that allow unrestricted and unreasonable entry into your apartment. Know under what conditions your landlord is allowed to enter your apartment.
• Some leases require a tenant to carry renter’s insurance, while others do not. Even if your landlord does not require you to get insurance, it is wise to invest in it, as landlords are not responsible for damage or theft to your personal property and possessions.
• Maintenance and repairs are another issue to educate yourself on before signing the lease. What repairs or maintenance are you, as the tenant, responsible for? What is the process for requesting maintenance or repairs from your landlord or rental agency? How long can you expect it to take for repairs to be made? Are you responsible for maintenance of any grass or lawn area associated with your apartment? Also make sure you know how often regular maintenance will take place, such as spraying for bugs, replacing filters, or mowing the lawn.
• Make sure you have actually inspected the unit you will be moving into before signing a lease, and be sure that there are no damaged areas or safety hazards. Inspect all window and door locks to make sure they are in working order. If anything needs to be fixed, make sure it is taken care of before you move in, or have it added to the lease in writing.
• When moving into a new place, it is important to make sure all your bases are covered. Do not sign the lease unless and until you are completely comfortable with the apartment and the provisions stated in the lease. Before signing, make sure you are going to be happy in your new home. Visit the area during the day and at night to make sure you feel safe. You may even want to ask other tenants or neighbors how they feel about the area. Make sure your agent and the landlord adequately answer all your questions before signing, and be sure all oral agreements, or alterations to the lease, are in writing and that you have a copy of them.
• Moving into a new apartment is fun and exciting. Make sure the entire duration of your lease is as pleasant by reading and understanding all the provisions. If you are uncomfortable with any part of the lease, discuss it with your landlord. Making sure that you understand each other before signing the lease will make things easier in the event concerns arise in the future.

If you are moving into a residence that is overseen by a condominium or homeowner’s association, the lease agreement will (or should) always contain a provision that makes it contingent on association approval, in other words the lease agreement you sign with the landlord is only valid if the governing association approves it. If you make an application and they deny approval, then the lease agreement you have signed with the landlord means nothing. More information on association approval is provided in the next section. If you are moving into a residence that is not governed by an association, your lease agreement becomes lawfully binding upon exectution. If that is the case, you can skip the next section, unless you would prefer to read it solely for entertainment purposes.