| If you are planning to rent an apartment you | | | | clearly stated also. |
| may be asked to sign a contract. Most of these | | | | You will want to know who will be liable when |
| contracts are standard agreements between you | | | | things break down. If the central heat and air |
| and the landlord. But in the world we live in today | | | | goes out, or your refrigerator breaks down you |
| you have to be really careful when you sign your | | | | need to know who will pay for the repairs. Some |
| name to something. You need to know exactly | | | | landlords will cover the repairs of anything that |
| what you are signing. Here are a few things to be | | | | was in the apartment when you got there. But |
| aware of before signing apartment rental | | | | there are those who will expect you to pay part |
| contracts. | | | | of any repairs. |
| When you are presented with any contract to | | | | You will want to pay careful attention to the |
| sign make sure that you take the time to read | | | | section of the contract on damages. Before you |
| the entire contract. It takes just a few words in | | | | sign any contract make sure that you walk |
| a contract to make you liable for things that you | | | | through the whole apartment and notate any |
| never expected. Make sure you understand each | | | | damages that are already there. Make sure that |
| and every part and if there are parts that | | | | the contract clearly state who is liable for |
| confuse you call a contract lawyer. It is better to | | | | damages cause by act of God like lighten, storms, |
| pay a lawyer a little now than paying a landlord | | | | or floods. |
| hundreds of dollars later. | | | | If at some point a change needs to be made to |
| Next you need to know the length of the contact. | | | | the contract make sure you have that change in |
| Lease contracts will specify a certain amount of | | | | writing. In this day and age verbal agreements do |
| time that you are required to rent the apartment. | | | | not carry much weight in the court system. You |
| If you move out early you could be held liable for | | | | want to make sure that every thing that is |
| rent on the remainder of the time you were | | | | agreed on is written down and sign by you and |
| suppose to have the apartment. So make sure | | | | the landlord. |
| you understand how long the contact will be in | | | | Most landlord just use standard apartment rental |
| affect. | | | | Contracts but it just take a few word to totally |
| You will also want to make sure that the monthly | | | | change the terms of a contract. Do not be |
| rent and any other charges are clearly stated. | | | | caught off guard. Make sure you understand each |
| You will probably have to put down a security | | | | and every part of the contract before you sign it. |
| deposit to cover any damages to the apartment. | | | | Do not be afraid to turn an apartment down over |
| Make sure that the terms of that deposit and | | | | something you disagree with on the contract. |
| how you will get it back when you leave are | | | | Once you sign your name you are committed. |