Leasing Tips

Leases are usually signed for a set period of time. Before you sign a lease, read it carefully. Make sure the following items are correct on the lease:

• Property address
• Lease start date
• Lease end date
• Rental rate

Determine what features are most important to you before you start looking for an apartment.  Keep the following in mind:

• Convenience costs money. You will pay more if an apartment is close to campus or has features like on-site parking, allows pets or has laundry hookups.
• Think about the extra costs besides rent.  This includes electricity, heat, water/sewage, gas, trash, internet and parking.

• Are there fees to pay before I move in? (e.g. application fee, security deposit)?
• When is rent due? Is there a grace period? How do I pay rent? Are there late fees?
  
• How far away is the apartment from campus?
• Is on-site parking available? What does it cost?
  
• What utilities (heat, water/sewage, electricity, gas, trash) are included in the rent?
  
• Do you know how much the average monthly electric/gas bill costs?
  
• Are there laundry facilities in the unit, in the building or close to the apartment?
• Is the apartment air-conditioned?
  
• What kind of flooring is in the apartment?
  
• How close it is to the grocery or convenience store?
• Are there rules about guests?
• Is renters insurance required?
• How do I renew my apartment? Do I need to give notice if I don't want to renew my lease?
• Can I cancel my lease before the end date?  If so, how do I do that and how much will it cost?
• Can I sublet my apartment?

• View the apartment if you can.  You may be able to do a virtual tour.
• Visit the neighborhood at various times of the day, night, and weekend.
• Read the lease and make sure you understand it.
• Obtain a copy of any rules and regulations before you sign.
• Have all promised repairs written into the lease and signed by landlord.
• Keep a copy of the lease along with any additional rules.
• Know the rules about pets, if you are allowed to have them.
• Check if you have maintenance responsibilities like snow shoveling or grass cutting if you are renting a house.

• Assume you will be able to get out of your lease early, sublease or change roommates.
• Sign a lease with an automatic renewal clause if this would not apply to you.
• Sign a lease that gives the landlord unlimited access without giving notification. The exception  would be in cases of emergency.