Reading a lease can be incredibly confusing and nerveracking if you don't know what to look for. I get it! I've been there. So this post is here to tell you EXACTLY what questions to ask before signing a lease.
Whether that means asking the manager or reading through the lease to find the answers, once you're done reading this post you will know precisely what you need to research before signing a lease. Lets jump in!
Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a Pre-Law college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you! Today I will help you determine most helpful and most important questions to ask before signing a lease that I wish I would have known.
*The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. I am not a licensed attorney. If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.*
But first, a little tip.
READ! THE! LEASE! Please!
This is, of course, the obvious first step but one that few college students actually want to take.
I understand that reading a lease probably doesn't sound like the most entertaining way to use your time, but it is one of those things you will have to know how to do eventually, so you might as well learn the best way to do it now!
It can be hard to read a lease and understand what it's saying if you don't even know what to look for when reading. I get it! So, here are the questions you should ask the property manager or be sure to look for in the lease before signing.
1. are utilities included in the rent?
This was the FIRST QUESTION I asked when I searched for my apartment. Utilities being included or not can have a HUGE impact on what lease you decide to sign.
This can be the difference of hundreds to thousands of dollars. If utilities are NOT included, then be sure to ask how much the average price of utilities is for the complex you are looking at because this will allow you to make an informed decision on what works best for your price range.
2. what are the guest policies?
How long can you have a guest spend the night at your residence? How many guests can you have on the premises at once?
Getting your first apartment or house comes with so many exciting things! Such as the ability to have friends or family spend the night!
Housing complexes will often have limitations to how long a guest can stay to ensure that the capacity is not exceeded for the amount of rent paid. So be sure to clarify what that is.
3. IS there guest parking?
Along with asking about the guest policies, as I mentioned above, be sure to ask about guest parking. Do they offer any guest parking for visitors you may have? Do they regularly tow non-residents? Will they need to have a pass for parking?
Some complexes are very strict about parking, so it is useful to have the answers to the questions above.
4. how do they handle hazardous weather conditions?
This is an aspect that I thoroughly researched through the lease and communication with the management.
If, for example, the temperature drops below freezing, what does the management require you to do in that scenario so that you are not liable for any damages it may cause? For reference, my complex requires us to drip the faucet and leave the cupboard doors open.
PLEASE be aware of whatever they require so that you can avoid any liability for potential weather damage.
5. does your school offer transportation to and from?
Plenty of college students rely solely on the school-provided transportation of a shuttle or bus.
If this is the case for you, then be sure to ask if your school's transportation system goes to and from the university campus to the premises you are looking at renting.
6. What is the quality of the management?
Ask around to find out what the quality of the management is like because signing a lease!
This can significantly impact how enjoyable your time there will be. I recommend doing this simply by word of mouth. Ask around to their current or past residents!
TIP: Ask if any of their staff or management lives on the premises because that is a surefire example of a well-run property.
7. does it come furnished or unfurnished?
Each complex will have a preference, so knowing the differences between the locations you tour is useful. This will also usually result in a price difference if you opt in or opt out.
This is purely based on preference, so talk to your roommates about what you want to do and ask the property management if the property comes furnished or unfurnished and if there is any price difference.
8. what amenities do they offer?
Every complex is unique and has different things to offer. Make a list of the amenities that you would like to have on the property. For example, amenities might include a pool, gym, study space, grill, etc.
Then, ask the management what they offer or take a tour of the property to determine if the location meets those needs.
9. What are the pet policies & trash policies?
Any housing facility will have these, which will definitely be in the lease, so be sure to look out for specific details about pet or trash policies before signing a lease.
Especially if you are a pet owner, ask for specifications on the parameters that must be met for the pet policy.
10. Is subletting allowed?
If you are a college student who does not plan to stay in your college town over the summer, this is especially essential for you.
Ask if subletting is allowed and ask what their parameters are for it if it is allowed. This should also be mentioned in the lease, so make sure you read the fine print there too!
11. when is the rent due & can you pay in installments?
When considering signing a lease, make a definitive price range for what you can afford and in what time frame you can pay. This will help you to narrow down your options.
Ask questions such as how often rent is due, how much the rent is, and whether they offer payment plans.
12. can you pass down the lease after your lease is over?
This may not apply to everyone, but in my college town, this is a popular thing to do.
Basically, an older group of girls will pass down their lease to a younger group of girls who will get to live in the exact same room/house. These are popular things to do between sororities to keep your home in the same "sorority family." This could also apply to wanting to pass it down to a younger sibling or any friend.
If this is something you are considering doing, then this is helpful to know!
13. what is the security like?
Is there any security on the premises? What measures do they take to maintain the safety of their residents? Does the complex have a gate or security system?
Before signing my lease, I asked, "Am I allowed to install additional security cameras on the property I will be renting?" Security measures are crucial to any home, so these questions significantly affected my decision on what lease to sign.
Consider what safety measures will make you feel most safe and secure, and ask the property manager how they enforce them.
14. Are there any restrictions on putting holes in the walls?
This refers to whether you can drill holes in the wall to hang decor items, shelves, TVs, etc.
Some housing complexes are very strict about this and any damage to the wall that may follow these tasks. So, before signing a lease, be sure to ask about this!
15. who handles the maintenance requests?
At some subdivisions and apartment complexes, you will be solely responsible for keeping up with the house and all of the maintenance that it entails.
However, others will have a maintenance team to which you can submit a request for assistance with repairs and upkeep.
This is such a helpful aspect to know (especially if you're a college girl like me) because, personally, I have no idea how to fix any appliance, and having a maintenance team to handle these kinds of requests was a huge selling point for my roommates and I in our apartment.
I hope you feel fully prepared to read and research before signing your lease and know exactly what questions to ask. If you're a college student looking for more helpful content like this I bet you would love The Best Online Student Discounts For College Students. Thanks for following along!
With Love,
Isabella XO
