About Leases
Leases are written agreements between you and your
landlord. In general, they'll cover the following areas:
-
Lease term
- Monthly rent amount
- When the rent is due
- Security deposit amount
- Utilities/Services provided by the landlord
- What the tenant is responsible for
- Building rules and special clauses
Generally, most leases are for a one-year term. Unless stated otherwise in the lease, most contain a holdover clause allowing the lease to continue on a month-to-month basis. A month to month lease is an agreement for a one-month period that is renewed automatically each month for another month until terminated by either side.
Common practice is for a written lease to require 30-day notice. A tenant must give written notice of intent to terminate by mailing or hand delivering a copy to the landlord.
It's important to carefully read and understand your lease. Leases are not just formalities and, once signed by both parties, are fully enforceable whether or not you have read it. Most landlords use standard leases, but you can and may negotiate changes to clauses that you find unreasonable. To do this, cross out or amend the clause and both parties must initial the corrections on both your and your landlord's copies.
A security deposit is almost always required to offset the cost of repairing any property damage caused by you during the lease. Find out what the deposit covers and the conditions for a refund. You should inspect the property with the landlord and note any damages in writing and/or take photographs.
If you are charged for damages when you move out, ask for an itemized list of what was charged and the reasons why. Compare this list to the original list you made before you moved in. If there is a problem, let your landlord know immediately.
The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for anyone to be denied housing on the basis of color, sex, religion, or national origin. The local county government regulates tenant-landlord relations. For additional information, check the government section of your phone book under "Housing".
|
Equal Housing Opportunity.