I am your rental agreement review lawyer. You’re renting a home– not buying a house. So, why should you take the time to read over a boring Lease Agreement? Although you will be agreeing to pay a monthly fee in exchange for the right to live in a home, there is a lot more to a Rental or Lease Agreement than you may think! Here are some essential questions to think about before you sign a lease agreement.
Ask Yourself:
- Will my landlord give my deposit money back at the end of my lease?
- What types of damages or cleaning charges will prevent me from getting my full deposit back?
- Will my landlord allow pets and how much will it cost me to have them?
- Are there any hidden fees or instances where my landlord can charge me extra money?
- Is the wording of the lease agreement straight forward? Does it leave room for shady dealings?
- What are the terms and consequences of breaking the Lease or Rental Agreement?
While you are certainly capable of reading and understanding a Lease Agreement or a rental agreement, it is a great idea to hire an attorney to help you review the document before you sign. After all, you will be signing a binding contract to pay a landlord or company a certain amount of money each month. Having an attorney on your side to review the documents and explain any sections that may not be in your favor is the best way to ensure you know what you are signing up for! Most landlords are great people simply running a business. However, if you happen to run into someone who does not have pure intentions, it sets a strong tone by letting them see you have an attorney representing you and overseeing their Rental Agreements.