Many potential renters are eager to sign an apartment lease as soon as they possibly can—but is that always the right decision? In fact, there are lots of important factors and details that you should review before signing your name on the dotted line. With a little due diligence, you may end up saving yourself some hard-earned money and time.
What to do before Signing an Apartment Lease
Is it the Ideal Fit?
This is going to be your residence for the foreseeable future, so you should probably take as much time as you can to guarantee that everything checks out. Go through the apartment and make sure that the property is how it’s supposed to be.
Also, you should visit local hotspots to get a feel for the neighborhood. Ensure that it has all of the amenities you may need. The last thing you want is to be locked into an unfavorable apartment or neighborhood for an extended period of time.
Do you Trust the Landlord?
Just because someone is leasing you a property, that doesn’t always mean that they’re entirely trustworthy. Just like any other investment or purchase, you should always do your fair share of homework on who you’re working with, especially when you consider the prevalence of rental scams.
Think of the way that landlords screen potential renters to ensure that they are financially stable and would make a responsible tenant. Shouldn’t you feel the same way about your landlord? Even if you don’t find any red flags, you will at least have some peace of mind.
Have you Read the Fine Print?
No matter what, before you finally sign off on the apartment lease, you should read through the fine print. It doesn’t even have to be you—most people will hire a lawyer to ensure that they aren’t on the short end of the deal.
After all, it never hurts to be thorough when it comes to closing your lease. It isn’t a race, but there could be some serious penalties for those that treat it like one. In fact, it’s best to review things slowly but surely so that you never miss anything important.
Information about your lease termination and additional fees are most essential. Your lease agreement will also outline the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant respectively, as well as inspections and other important details. If the landlord makes you any promise, just make sure that you get them in writing.
There’s always going to be some anxiety and trepidation about signing an apartment lease, so use this handy checklist to ensure that everything is always taken care of.
