Steps
- Analyze. When you first receive your lease, analyze every single word of it ? if you don?t understand a particular phrase or clause, don?t ignore it! Ask your landlord for clarification.
- Compromise. If you don't agree with a certain provision, see if you and your landlord can reach a compromise. However, if any changes are made to the lease, be sure to have every new agreement written into the lease, signed and dated by both you and your landlord.Be aware that any agreements cannot contradict government legislation ? in Ontario, for example, the Residential Tenancies Act takes precedent over any clause or provision written into a lease, even if both the landlord and tenant agree to it.
- Save a Copy. Remember, always keep a copy of the final lease (and make sure each tenant in the apartment signs and has their own copy), as this is the most important document when it comes to settling a disagreement. You?ll also need your lease to present proof of residence when applying for everything from bank accounts to library cards, registering to vote, etc.Be sure to look for the following things in your lease:
Tips
- Will you have to pay a security deposit? If so, will cleaning costs and other fees be deducted from your deposit over the course of the lease?
- Are there provisions against subletting your apartment?
- Are you allowed to keep pets or other animals in your apartment?
- How much advance notice must you give before moving out at the end of your term?
- What responsibilities do you have when it comes time to finally move out? Will you have to shampoo the carpets and scrub the walls? Or does the landlord handle all of that work?
- Are utility bills (e.g. gas, electricity, water, Internet) included in the monthly rent, or do you have to pay these bills on top of your rent?
- Are you allowed to smoke in your apartment?
Warnings
- Depending on what exactly you?re looking for in an apartment rental, there might be several other areas you?ll want to investigate before signing the lease. Remember, you?ll have to live according to the rules and regulations laid out in your lease ? always make sure you know what you?re getting into before you rent an apartment.
Sources and Citations
- ParamountApts.com - Original source of content, shared with permission.
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