Among the biggest lapses, a Montrose tenant can make is not thoroughly reading the lease just before signing it. This is an enormous problem on the account that no two leases quite exactly the same, and lots of landlords may integrate things in the lease that you sort of shouldn’t agree to. A lease is a binding legal contract, so unless a specific clause violates state law, you could find yourself responsible for anything from unauthorized guests to tree removal. Before you sign something, read the entire lease thoroughly. And, as you read through the lease, watch out for these five things in particular.
1. Documentation of Property Condition
Just prior to signing a lease or moving into a new home, it’s essential to see if your landlord has a system for documenting the property’s condition. This is important; if you don’t have some procedure to document the property’s condition before you move in, you could pay the price. To protect yourself, make certain to know well regarding your landlord’s documentation process and take proper action to report any existing damage before you move in.
2. Termination Policy and Fees
The majority of leases cover a specific time period, but definitely, others may renew on a month-to-month basis. Regardless of which style your lease employs, it’s imperative to comprehend the stated policy in connection with putting an end to or canceling the lease and what fees might be involved. Various leases may require advance notice that you’re leaving, often 30-60 days. But also take note, others may collect serious penalties for terminating a lease. Take one example, if you sign a 12-month lease but then need to move after six months, your lease may require you to pay a cancellation fee, the remaining rent on the contract, or both. You may additionally forfeit some or all of your security deposit. Since every lease is different, it’s significant to read these policies completely and, if you have any concerns or questions, resolve them before you sign.
3. Roommates and Subletting
One regular misperception about renting a home is that a renter has the right to sublet all or part of their home to others. Though plenty of leases include clauses that strictly forbid renters from doing so. If you had been preparing to sublet your home during an extended absence or get a roommate to help you with the rent, you’d need to check your lease carefully to know for sure that it is sanctioned. The last thing you need is to be suddenly caught for illegally subletting your place – that can cause you to be evicted or held financially responsible for any damage your illegal tenant may have inadvertently caused while living in the residence.
4. Pet Policy and Pet Fees
If you are seeking a new home for not only yourself but for your special pet as well, it’s necessary to validate your lease conscientiously for your landlord’s pet policy. Doing your best to hide a pet on the property from a landlord without their permission is not an excellent plan – a lot of tenants who try this tend to get discovered. If pets are granted permission, there may be additional fees or a deposit required. You should similarly ascertain to know if that deposit is refundable if your pet doesn’t cause any property damage. The only exception is if your pet is a service or emotional support animal. If such is the case, your landlord must enable you to keep the animal on the property and cannot charge you additional fees. If you are in this circumstance, talk simply with your landlord to prevent any uncertainties down the line.
5. Cleaning and Other Responsibilities
As you read through the lease, very carefully take account of which responsibilities are assigned to whom. In some leases, the landlord will bestow particular services while demanding for you to do others. Several conventional duties in many cases (but not always) that are entrusted to a tenant include lawn maintenance, light bulb replacement, utilities, and cleaning. A lot of landlords prefer to provide these services and have the property cleaned professionally between tenants. Others call for the tenant to do it themselves or contract their own professional cleaning company to get the job performed. Either way, you need to know specifically which are your responsibilities and determine whether you are comfortable carrying them out before you sign the lease.
In the final analysis, it’s significant to take the time to read your lease carefully. See to it that you have a firm understanding of everything, and ask for clarification when needed. Certain parts of your lease may be negotiable, so if it entails or includes things you don’t really like, consider asking your landlord for revisions. You are the one who has to abide by the lease terms, in any case, and the more you know, the fewer surprises you’ll run into, in the course of time.
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