Before signing your first lease, read every page and confirm the rent, due date and late fees, the security deposit and how it is returned, who handles repairs and utilities, the rules on guests, pets and subletting, and what happens if you need to leave early. Ask questions and get every promise in writing. Tenant laws vary by state and city.
Read it like a contract, because it is one
A lease is a legal contract, usually for a set term such as a year. Once you sign, you are generally responsible for rent for that whole term, even if you move out. That is why landlords ask for a guarantor or co-signer when you have little rental history: someone else promises to pay if you do not. This guide is general education, not legal advice; for a specific question, contact a local tenant rights organization or an attorney.
The clauses to find and understand
Go through the lease with a highlighter and find each of these:
- Term and dates: start date, end date and what happens at the end (does it renew automatically or go month to month?).
- Rent: amount, due date, how to pay, grace period and late fee.
- Security deposit: amount, what it can be used for and how and when it comes back. Many states set rules on this.
- Utilities: which ones you pay, which the landlord pays and whose name they go in.
- Repairs and maintenance: how to request them, how fast they are handled and what you are responsible for.
- Entry: when and with how much notice the landlord can come in.
- Guests, pets, smoking and noise: limits and any extra fees or deposits.
- Subletting and early termination: whether you can sublet, and the cost of breaking the lease.
- Insurance: whether renters insurance is required.
If you are signing with roommates
Many leases make all tenants jointly responsible, often called joint and several liability. In plain terms: if a roommate stops paying, the landlord may be able to come to you for the whole rent. Before signing together, write a roommate agreement about how rent, deposits and bills are split and what happens if someone leaves early. If you are new to shared living, our guide on roommate problems has practical tips that apply after college too.
Red flags worth pausing on
- Pressure to sign or pay a deposit before you have seen the unit or the full lease.
- Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift card or cash with no receipt.
- Blank spaces in the lease, or verbal promises that are not written down.
- A landlord who will not say who owns the building or how to reach them for repairs.
- Fees you cannot find an explanation for.
Rental scams are common, especially online. If a listing seems too good, look up the property owner and never send money for a place you have not verified.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What is the total due at move-in (first month, deposit, any fees)?
- Which utilities will I set up, and roughly what do they run for this unit?
- How do I submit a repair request, and who handles emergencies at night?
- Can I paint, hang shelves or make small changes?
- If I need to leave early, what are my options?
Move-in day: protect your deposit
Walk through the unit before you unpack. Photograph and video every room, including floors, walls, appliances and inside cabinets, and note existing damage on a move-in checklist that both you and the landlord sign. Keep a copy of the signed lease, receipts and all messages with the landlord in one folder. The rest of your setup is in our first apartment checklist, and our pay stub guide helps if the application asks for proof of income.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is not a lawyer, but can read through a lease alongside you, help you write down your questions and practice asking the landlord, and keep the move on track. For families helping a young adult move out, see young adult mentoring and our one-on-one alternative to failure to launch programs.
Related
- First apartment checklist
- Renters insurance basics
- How to write a roommate agreement
- Living alone for the first time
- Security deposit basics
Common questions
Can I get out of a lease early?
Sometimes, but it often costs money. Read the early termination and subletting sections, and ask the landlord about options before you sign.
When do I get my security deposit back?
It depends on your state’s rules and your lease. Document the unit’s condition at move-in and move-out to protect yourself.
What is a guarantor on a lease?
A guarantor, often a parent, agrees to pay the rent if you do not. It is common for first-time renters with little rental or credit history.
Am I responsible if my roommate does not pay?
Under many leases, all tenants are jointly responsible, so the landlord may be able to collect the full rent from you. Read the lease and write a roommate agreement.
Get started
Want help getting through a first move without missing the important steps? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.