Signing a Lease

FIRST: READ YOUR LEASE AND UNDERSTAND IT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT! BE SURE TO GET A COPY UPFRONT. DO NOT WAIT FOR THE PROPERTY MANAGER TO MAIL YOU A COPY. 

Signing a lease is a legal document that outlines you and your property manager’s responsibilities; it does not just reserve you a place to live. Once you sign the lease, you are responsible for the provisions of the lease. If there are agreements between you and the property manager regarding changes to the lease or property, do not sign the lease unless the changes are in writing.

A lease can be negotiable, so ask the property manager if they will negotiate any clause of the lease that you do not like. They may not be willing, but it is worth asking. If they will not change the clause, you may want to live somewhere else if you cannot agree to the terms. Month-to-month leases or verbal agreements with property managers may offer more flexible living arrangements. However, be aware that month-to-month agreements can be terminated or altered at anytime by the property manager with a 30 day notice.