Questions to Ask Before Signing an Apartment Lease

What should you know and what should you ask before you sign an apartment lease? Whether it’s your first lease or you’ve been at the same place for so long you forget the process, we’ve outlined the best questions to ask a landlord before signing a lease.

Sometimes the stressful part of finding an apartment is the after you find it during the application and lease process. A lease is a binding legal agreement between two parties, usually referred to as landlord and tenant. The most obvious benefit of signing a lease is that it helps protect both sides from any potential misunderstandings about terms or expectations. However, there are plenty of other reasons why people choose to do so: perhaps they don't want to risk having any problems later on down the road if something goes wrong with the apartment.

What are the lease terms?

The lease terms are the legal terms of your apartment. It's important to know what they are before you sign on the dotted line. Read the entire lease document before signing – no matter how long it is. Also, the length of the lease will vary depending on whether it's a month-to-month lease or one that runs for one year (or longer).

When is rent due, and how do I pay it?

Every landlord is different but most have the same deal: rent is due every month, on the first day of the month. If you pay by mail, include a postmark date with your payment and keep a copy for yourself. If you pay in person, bring along your receipt with you when making your payment. Some landlords are more flexible with payment options, so it’s best to ask them what they prefer.

How much notice is needed to end my lease?

You can give 30 days of notice to end your lease if you are in a month-to-month lease. If you are in a year-to-year lease and want to move out, then 60 days of notice is required for both tenants and landlords.

Are pets allowed?

If you're interested in living with a pet, it's important to know whether your landlord will allow them. Some buildings have breed restrictions and size restrictions (for example, no dogs over 20 pounds). Other locations might only allow certain breeds of dogs or cats—or no pets at all. Be sure to ask about the specific rules before signing an apartment lease!

We’ve outlined potential issues that may come up when searching for an apartment if you have a large dog breed in our recent blog post, How to Find Apartments in Boston That Allow Large Dog Breeds.

While the lease agreement is usually fairly straightforward and clear, there may be some questions you don’t know how to ask. If so, don’t hesitate to call in an expert who can help!

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