Signing a lease on your apartment

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!

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