Before you Sign a Rental Agreement

A rental agreement is a legally binding contract between you (the tenant) and the landlord. Therefore, it is imperative that you enter into this contract fully aware of the terms and conditions. You should never feel excited to move in to a new place and sign a rental agreement without taking the time to carefully read all of the terms. Likewise, if you feel pressured to move quickly, you may be tempted to sign a rental agreement without thoroughly reading over the conditions. Under no circumstance should you simply sign a rental agreement without adequately reading over the terms and conditions as well as addressing any concerns that you have with the landlord.

You should always thoroughly inspect the premises before considering signing a rental agreement. If you find anything that bothers or concerns you during your initial inspection you should bring it up immediately. However, don’t rely on simply a verbal arrangement between you and the landlord. If you notice a leaky faucet or a window screen that needs to be replaced and the landlord verbally states they will be repaired before you move in, have that in writing so you will be protected. It may seem like a small or insignificant matter at first, but if you fail to put it in writing, and the landlord neglects to have it repaired, a leaky faucet could result in more serious problems down the road and you could be held liable for the repair. So, it is best to protect yourself and have all verbal agreements put in writing.

Some things that you should ask your potential landlord before signing a rental agreement include how and when rent will be paid. For instance, some landlords prefer checks, while others insist upon money orders. Some landlords will pick up or collect the rent payments, while others may prefer that you mail it in. You should also find out when the rent is due and how much late fees are. It is also important to know how many days after the rent is late the landlord will begin the eviction process. Other important issues that you should find out before signing the agreement include how long the agreement is for, if you will be able to sublet the property, how many guests are allowed to visit, who is responsible for utilities, how much the security deposit is, and also what the rights of the owner are. For instance, it is important to understand when the landlord may inspect the premises and whether or not they need to give you written or verbal notice before inspecting the property.

You should also inquire as to what type of rental agreements the landlord is proposing. Not all rental agreements are alike. Some rental agreements are week-to-week, while others run on a month-by-month basis. When the contract runs for at least 6 month or a year or more and is based upon fixed terms, it is said to be a lease and not a rental agreement. Rental agreements, whether week-to-week or month-to-month, aren’t fixed contracts. This means that the owner may change the terms of the agreement as they deem fit, including the cost of rent. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand the terms of your rental agreement before signing your name on the dotted line.