{"id":1872,"date":"2014-06-16T11:59:35","date_gmt":"2014-06-16T15:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.renthop.com\/news\/?p=1872"},"modified":"2023-07-24T14:05:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T18:05:35","slug":"seven-lease-provisions-to-watch-out-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/seven-lease-provisions-to-watch-out-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Lease Provisions to Watch Out For"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re looking for a new apartment, it seems like finding a place where you\u2019d love to live is the hardest part. (We can help!<\/a>) But finding the new place is only half the battle. You still need to apply for it, and once your application is accepted you need to negotiate and sign a lease.<\/p>\n

\"You<\/a>
You can’t get one of these until you’ve signed your lease.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photo: Joe Mazzola<\/a>\/CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/p>\n

The lease is a legal contract that gives you the exclusive right to inhabit the space identified in the contract for a specified period of time. It\u2019s extremely important that you read and understand it. If the landlord refuses to offer a written lease, or if she pressures you to sign it without reading it, that\u2019s a major red flag.<\/p>\n

As you read the lease, make sure to check key terms. Is the address listed for the apartment in the lease the right address? Is the rent correct? Does the lease tell you how and when to pay your rent? If there is a rent concession (like a free month of rent), is that reflected in the lease? Who pays for utilities, and which ones? You need to confirm all of those points, and ask any questions you may have, before you sign anything.<\/p>\n

In addition, there are certain provisions that you should take issue with if they appear in the lease. We\u2019ve got a list below \u2013 if you see these provisions in your lease, make sure you ask some questions! Note that laws differ across the 50 states; this list is intended to point out relatively common issues and help you start addressing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we get started, a couple of notes:<\/span><\/p>\n

Beware if the landlord offers things to you verbally but won\u2019t put them in writing<\/em>.\u00a0You\u2019ll have a hard time enforcing them later. Similarly, if the landlord tells you she won\u2019t enforce a provision in the lease, either get that in writing or ask that the provision be removed from the lease.<\/p>\n

If you have a dispute with your landlord, educate yourself, and then ask for help<\/em>.\u00a0<\/em>In almost every city you will find both online resources and one or more tenant\u2019s rights organizations. Use those resources. For New York, you can find resources here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>. For Boston, try here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>. In Chicago, start with\u00a0this<\/a>, this<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0this<\/a>. Otherwise, start with a google search, and remember that if you’re in federally-subsidized housing there may be federal resources available too.<\/p>\n

If at all possible you want to resolve disputes amicably, and the tenants’ rights organization may be able to help. If you can\u2019t, or if you don\u2019t know what to do next, don\u2019t waste time (or engage in self-help by withholding rent) \u2013 reach out. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tenant takes the apartment \u201cas-is\u201d<\/b>. In 49 of the 50 states every landlord is required, whether the lease says so or not, to make sure that the apartment and all common spaces related to the apartment are (1) fit for human habitation and (2) not subject to conditions which would be dangerous, hazardous or detrimental to the tenant’s life, health or safety. This is the implied warranty of habitability<\/em>, and renters can\u2019t waive it except in very limited circumstances. (In the 50th<\/sup> state, Arkansas, it\u2019s also a crime to not pay your rent when due. Be careful!)<\/p>\n

What does this mean? If the apartment isn\u2019t currently habitable, or is unsafe, your landlord is required \u2013 at his expense \u2013 to fix it up, no matter what the lease says. A landlord trying to get you to take an unsafe apartment may be trying to make you pay to fix his problem. Don\u2019t do it. And don’t ask too many questions about whether an apartment is habitable or unsafe. If it looks or feels reasonably unsafe, stand your ground.<\/p>\n

If the apartment is habitable and safe, the landlord isn\u2019t obligated to do anything else. You may want to negotiate for move-in repairs or modifications, but a statement that you accept the apartment is irrelevant (your signing the lease evidences your acceptance).<\/p>\n

Tenant is responsible for repairs<\/b>. The landlord must ensure that the apartment is safe and habitable, and you can\u2019t be made to pay for those repairs. Otherwise, if the landlord agrees to provide certain things in the lease (e.g., a dishwasher), then as a matter of contract law the landlord is responsible for ensuring that they work. You might agree to do certain repairs in return for compensation, but it\u2019s the landlord\u2019s job to provide the apartment she agreed to provide.<\/p>\n

Landlord may enter at any time for any reason<\/b>. Landlords can enter with no notice in case of emergency (which is probably a good thing!). Otherwise, by law in nearly all jurisdictions your landlord can\u2019t enter your apartment without prior notice. How much notice may be specified in the law \u2013 it\u2019s often 24 hours\u2019 notice \u2013 or it may be \u201creasonable notice\u201d. Your lease may describe specific things that constitute emergencies, e.g., bedbug infestation, and may also describe circumstances when the landlord can enter the apartment with notice. Be clear on what these situations are.<\/p>\n

Tenant will pay X in maintenance\/guest\/cleaning fees<\/b>. Often fees are permissible, so this is more about making sure you know what you\u2019re getting into. If you\u2019re going to be charged a monthly cleaning fee, for example, make sure you know what\u2019s being cleaned, by whom, how often, and whether the cleaners will be able to access your apartment without you there. Also note that certain types of fees (unreasonably high late fees, or guest fees) may not be legal in some states.<\/p>\n

Anything where you waive a right<\/b>. It\u2019s difficult in almost all states to waive rights to which you\u2019re entitled by law, even if the lease says you\u2019re doing so. That said, whenever you\u2019re waiving anything make sure you understand what you\u2019re waiving<\/em> and why you\u2019re being asked to waive it<\/em>. This may alert you to an issue of which you weren\u2019t aware, and though the landlord may not agree to change the lease you\u2019re now forewarned.<\/p>\n

Landlord will not be held liable for any damages<\/b>. Again, the landlord can\u2019t get out of his legal responsibilities. If the landlord acts negligently in failing to keep the apartment or building safe, the landlord should be liable if you get hurt or your property is damaged as a result. Beyond that, ask what damages the landlord is concerned about and why. You\u2019ll get clues as to what\u2019s important to the landlord.<\/p>\n

Landlord has the right to change lease provisions at any time<\/b>. Maybe this doesn\u2019t matter \u2013 do you really need notice and an opportunity to be heard if the pool hours are changing? \u2013 but if the landlord can change key terms of the lease without your consent (or at least telling you) you\u2019re at real risk. The landlord\u2019s verbal assurances that they won\u2019t use this power aren\u2019t good enough here \u2013 make sure the lease includes restrictions on the landlord\u2019s ability to unilaterally change material terms of the lease.<\/p>\n

NOTE: This post is not intended to constitute, and does not constitute, legal advice and may not be used as such.<\/em><\/p>\n

_________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Need help dealing with movers? We’ve got nine tips to help you out.<\/a><\/p>\n

How about ideas for making your space look bigger? We have those as well.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re looking for a new apartment, it seems like finding a place where you\u2019d love to live is the hardest part. (We can help!) But finding the new place is only half the battle. 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