If you’ve found the perfect apartment, you’re probably trying to lock it down with a lease as soon as possibly can. But before you sign any documents, don’t forget to at least ask your landlord the following 6 questions:
1. Which utilities are Included?
Knowing whether gas, water, or electricity are included in your monthly rent will give you perspective on how much you’ll actually be paying every month, which will affect your budget and lifestyle.
2. What kind of maintenance can you expect?
The answer to this question will give you a guide to how likely issues are to get fixed, and what the turnaround time usually is.
3. What are your responsibilities as a tenant?
There will likely be some small tasks you are responsible for as a tenant. These can range from the obvious (don’t let garbage pile up) to the less obvious (shovel off the balcony).
4. Are you allowed to personalize the space?
Most tenants like to personalize their living space a little. This might includes anything, from painting, to installing furniture that may be attached to the walls, to larger projects.
5. What is the subleasing policy?
Though you’ll technically be locked in by the terms of the lease, you may be able to get some additional flexibility by being able to sublease the apartment to someone else.
6. What are the terms of your security deposit?
Getting that security deposit back can seem like a long way off, but when that time comes, you’ll be thankful you know what is required of you to get your money back.
When you’re trying to move fast, it can be easy to forget to be prudent. Remember these 6 questions, and you’ll at least have the basics covered next time you’re signing a lease.
