Signing a Lease on your Apartment

| Posted: 04-02-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 5 | Rating: (56)

(?)

Understanding and completely reading your apartment rental lease is important. There is legal ease and there is straight language. Here are a few things to consider before signing your new apartment lease:

•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.
• What 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?
• How much advance notice is needed when you come to your lease term and you are planning to move?
• If you need to move out before the end of your lease term, what fees will you be responsible for?
• Check if there are any specific cleaning instructions that need to be followed before you move out. If these aren’t followed to the letter, part of your deposit may be accessed to cover these cleaning costs.

Most leases have a clause regarding noise and disturbance. This means the tenant (the lessee) and anyone in his or her apartment won't disturb the other tenants in the building, or use the apartment for illegal purposes.

Other common regulations include who pays for losses, how notice will be given between the tenant and the landlord, when subletting is allowed, if it is allowed, when a landlord can enter your apartment.

Depending on your state, there are laws regarding what a landlord can or can’t require within your lease, so do some research and find out your rights.

If you need to make a change to your lease, ask to add a provision to your lease. Ask that the change on the lease be written in and then both you and the manager should initial the change. Never agree to something only verbally, make sure all agreements are put in writing.

If you don’t understand something, ask questions. And don’t feel pressured to sign the lease right there and then on the spot. Take some time with your lease agreement and make sure you understand everything and everything is covered within it.

And last, don’t forget to get a copy of your lease for your records!

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Dallas Lofts, Dallas Apartment, Apartment In Dallas, Apartment Dallas, Dallas Apartment Finders, Frisco Texas Apartments, North Dallas Apartment, Apartments In Arlington Texas, Dallas Apartment Locator, Apartments In Plano

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/signing-a-lease-on-your-apartment-324468.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Kim Shufelt is the CEO of www.Dallas-Apartment.com, the leading Dallas apartment locator offering free personalized Dallas apartment listings and all other areas of the Dallas Metroplex. For more information, please visit http://www.Dallas-Apartment.com.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Renting an Apartment? What Should you Look For?
By: Kim Shufelt | 21/01/2008 | Home and Family
Finding that perfect apartment can be time consuming and even daunting. But taking your time and finding just the right place will pay off in the long run for your physical and mental health.

How to Find the Best Dallas Apartments
By: Jonathan Blocker | 03/01/2008 | Advice
Deciding which Dallas apartments will be right for you depends on many factors, such as your budget, how far you are willing to commute and what type of transportation who typically use, whether you have your own furniture and/or keep pets, physical needs, amenities desired, and personal preferences in terms of neighborhood and community.

Beautiful Dallas Lofts
By: Brian Enright | 14/05/2007 | Real Estate
The verdict is in: Lofts are where it's at! All over the country the loft has made a huge resurgence and is quick on its way to becoming one of the most popular new home styles in years. Perhaps the distinction should be made between types of lofts as the term "loft" is somewhat ambiguous and can refer to many different styles of space.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Real Estate Articles

Chennai's Expanding Real Estate Market
By: George Gonigal | 21/08/2008
Chennai is experiencing an extensive real estate growth in past one year. Chennai real estate developers are having a good business deal happening during this period of time.

Mortgage Bill by End of Year to Boost Property Market in Northern Cyprus
By: Linda Cartwright | 20/08/2008
Sungur: A Mortgage Bill has been proposed, for approval by the end of this year, in Northern Cyprus. The plans are set to boost property market, and some experts suggest that the move will also benefit ex-pats. A draft mortgage bill prepared by the Estate Agents Union has been presented to the...

Achieving Your First Property
By: Joaquin Costa | 20/08/2008
Buying your first home is not easy, but for sure it is rewarding when you manage to safe and pay for the deposit of your new home.

House Door Choices
By: Ed Terran | 20/08/2008
When you decide to remodel and want to change out doors, do not forget a couple of important factors. The style must match your décor or the doors are not going to enhance your home. They will actually take away from the look you are trying to achieve. The fittings...

We Buy House Professionals Taking Advantage Of The Slow Real Estate Market
By: Shaun Greer | 20/08/2008
Real estate investors are buying houses while other home buyers are sitting on the side lines

Chinese Developers Look For Foreign Funding
By: Gregory Smyth | 20/08/2008
The Chinese property market and property management in China have largely been a domestic affair in recent years, with tight government controls to ensure that speculative inflows remained at a minimum. However, the government is now wanting to cool down the rampantly growing real estate market in China, and as such is looking for foreign investment.

The Benefits to Purchasers of Home Auctions
By: Patricia Stevens | 20/08/2008
The real estate opportunity is huge, especially the foreclosure and tax lien market. Read about the income being created by everyday indivduals.

Right Now is the Time to Buy Real Estate in Provo, Utah
By: Art Gib | 20/08/2008
Real estate has never been easier to find or more affordable in Provo, Utah. For a short time, the market hit a decline and prices lowered.

More from Kim Shufelt

Why Rent an Apartment?
By: Kim Shufelt | 14/01/2008 | Home and Family
Reasons some renters are in for the long haul, compiled by an home locator for people seeking a loft, townhome or apartment Dallas and the surrounding areas.

Maximize Space in a Small Apartment
By: Kim Shufelt | 10/01/2008 | Home Improvement
Ideas to maximize the storage space in a small apartment and reduce clutter, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Your First Apartment
By: Kim Shufelt | 10/01/2008 | Home and Family
Tips for people moving into their first apartment home, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Be a Great Tenant and Reap the Benefits
By: Kim Shufelt | 20/12/2007 | Home and Family
Tips for being a good tanant, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Signing an Apartment Lease - Skimming is not Enough!
By: Kim Shufelt | 13/12/2007 | Home and Family
Reasons to read a lease thoroughly and some provisions to look for, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Considerations for a Successful Apartment Search
By: Kim Shufelt | 07/12/2007 | Home and Family
Offers advice for selecting an apartment right for your lifestyle, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Perks of Renting Vs. Buying a Home
By: Kim Shufelt | 07/12/2007 | Home and Family
Overview of some benefits that lead many people to rent over purchasing a home, compiled by one of the leading Dallas apartment finders in the area.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Follow ArticlesBase at http://twitter.com

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.29, 12)

Signing a Lease on your Apartment

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Real Estate Articles

More from Kim Shufelt

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter