Eight Questions To Ask Before You Sign A Lease

You’re not alone if you feel intimidated about signing a lease. After all, it’s a big commitment that affects your comfort, lifestyle, and finances. That’s why we prepared a list of important questions to ask your future landlord before you sign a lease. 

It’s important to ask your future landlord about how long the lease lasts as well as how the renewal process works. Make sure to ask about guest and pet policies to ensure you don’t break the rules and incur fees. Maintenance policies vary between landlords, so you must ask what kind of maintenance and emergency they will cover. 

Don’t hesitate to ask your future landlord any questions before signing a lease. After all, it’s hard to feel comfortable when all you can focus on is the uncertainty of the lease. Follow along as we highlight 8 important questions to ask before signing a lease. 

What Should You Ask Before Signing A Lease?

1. How Long Does It Last?

It’s important to consider the length of a lease before you sign it. Some renters look for short-term leases because they are between homes or plan to relocate eventually. Others want to settle down and stay in the same location for as long as possible. 

After all, moving is an ordeal, and many people would prefer to get as much time out of one home as possible. That’s why you must ask how long the lease lasts before you sign it. Some leases start at 12 months and switch to month-to-month after that.

That’s important to know as it is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gives freedom to move after a year without a long commitment. However, it also provides less stability than a lease that you renew for 12 months each time. 

2. What Is The Maintenance Policy?

Many landlords employ maintenance teams to take care of their tenants’ homes. However, some leases have more generous maintenance policies than others. It’s important to figure out what kind of maintenance you’re responsible for versus your landlord.

This will give you an idea of how many benefits you get as a renter. For example, most people don’t mind basic maintenance tasks, like changing light bulbs and air conditioner filters. It’s worth asking your landlord what you’re responsible for before you sign a lease.

You may not be experienced or familiar with some of the maintenance tasks that the lease stipulates you’re responsible for. In that case, it may be hard to justify signing the lease. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 

3. Are Pets Allowed?

Do you plan to move into your new home with some furry friends? If so, you must ask for permission before you bring pets into your apartment after signing a lease. Some landlords understandably prohibit pets because they fear the animals will damage the unit. 

Even if pets are allowed, your landlord may charge a pet fee to make the risk worth it. It’s important to ask if pets are allowed and find out what fees come along with them. Some landlords charge a single fee to let you move in with pets.

Others may slightly increase the cost of rent each month to accommodate the potential added maintenance that comes with pets. It’s also a great idea to figure out where your pets are allowed on the grounds of your new apartment complex. That way, you can avoid conflict and fees that will make you regret signing the lease. 

4. What Fees Can I Expect?

The cost of rent is one of many expenses that come along with signing a lease. Unfortunately, landlords typically charge several move-in fees that add up quickly. Such expenses can quickly put you in a tough financial position if you don’t know what to expect. 

For example, most landlords require tenants to put down a security deposit and the last month’s rent. They may also charge basic move-in fees that cover the cost of administrative work. In some cases, they even include a fee to cover frequent elevator trips when moving in.

Part of these fees may cover the cost of cleaning your apartment before you move in. It’s important to ask what each fee covers so you understand where your money is going. Such fees are unfortunately an unavoidable part of signing most leases. 

5. What Condition Is The Unit In?

It’s important to understand what condition your future apartment or house is in before you sign a lease. The last thing you want is for your landlord to blame you for damage that existed before your arrival. Not only should you ask about the unit’s condition, but you should also take pictures. 

That’s why it’s a great idea to tour the unit with the landlord or agent and ask if you can take pictures. Document as much of the space as possible and save the pictures in case you sign the lease. That way, you can dispute claims that you damaged the unit upon moving in.

You can even ask about recent maintenance, so that way you know how often problems occur. It can also help you know when your appliances and HVAC equipment were last serviced. 

6. Do They Offer Emergency Maintenance?

Most landlords provide basic maintenance and even employ a small maintenance team. However, not all landlords can accommodate emergency maintenance requests. In that case, you may need to call a handyman or HVAC technician with an emergency line.

It’s worth asking if your future landlord can accommodate emergency maintenance requests. If they don’t, you must ask if they would reimburse you for emergency maintenance expenses that take place after business hours. This can include frozen pipes, flooding, gas leaks, and lock-outs. 

For example, some landlords won’t accommodate lock-out calls after business hours. Speak to your landlord to see how generous they are about such maintenance requests. 

7. What Is Their Entry Policy?

It’s hard to feel comfortable in an apartment that your landlord can enter at any time. That’s why it’s worth asking your future landlord what their entry policy is. Luckily, most landlords give at least 24 hours' notice before entering one of their tenants’ units.

However, this varies between landlords and depends on the circumstances. For example, they may be able to enter your apartment without notice due to emergencies like fires and flooding. 

8. What Are The Rules Regarding Guests?

Generally, you can invite friends and family over to spend time at your house or apartment without worry. However, your landlord may enforce rules about where they can go and how long they can stay. That’s especially true if your rental property has communal areas, like swimming pools, where tenants can spend time.

For example, your landlord may stipulate that guests aren’t allowed in such areas without a tenant present. They may also impose a deadline on how long guests can stay. Your landlord may say that guests can only stay until the noise curfew, which is often 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM. 

Some landlords limit how long you can let a guest stay at your house overnight. You may even face penalties if you let a guest stay with you longer than the allowed period, whether it be a few days or a week. It won’t hurt to ask your landlord about guest policies to avoid getting in trouble later. 

Summing It Up

Ask your landlord about their rules regarding guests, pets, and maintenance requests before you sign the lease. It’s also a great idea to ask about recent repairs and how old your appliances are before signing. Check to see how much notice your landlord must give before entering your apartment or house. 

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• Do I Have To Pay Rent If My Landlord Won’t Fix Anything?