If you’re a first-time renter, you may not be sure exactly what’s included in your rent. Do you have to pay extra to use the dog park? Are utilities already included? If so, is there a limit to how much water or electricity you can use?
Life can change rapidly nowadays. Job transfers, new relationships, and exciting opportunities can have anyone looking for new housing — fast! What happens when such changes lead to friends and family asking if they can crash at your place? Do couchsurfers belong on the apartment lease?
You might not get caught when you drive over the speed limit, but you’re still breaking the rules. The same can be true if you sublet an apartment without your landlord’s permission — you might not get caught, but you’re probably breaking the rules.
Filling out the application for an apartment and then reading through the lease can be a confusing process. We understand.
Talk about nerve wracking! Applying for an apartment and reading over the lease or rental agreement can definitely bring beads of sweat to your forehead. Lease agreements are contracts that define tenant-landlord relationships and often use confusing “legalese.” Even the simplest apartment leases can use some pretty uncommon terms and phrases. Do you really know what everything means? It may be good to double check your lease know-how before signing on the dotted line. Here are some quick and easy definitions for common lease terms to help you understand what you’re signing.
