Suggested Questions for Landlords

💡Tip: If the landlord says one thing and then you sign a lease that says something different, the lease controls. Get promises in writing.

Payment

Do you take checks from all tenants in the unit, or just one check from the group?
Can I pay my rent with a credit card?
Do you accept online payments?
Is there a convenience fee for online payments?

Can I take a copy of the lease with me to review before I sign?
Do I need to have someone provide a financial guaranty after I sign the lease?
Would I be signing an individual lease, a joint and several lease, or a joint and several lease with individual rent responsibility? Search for definitions of any new or confusing terms.
If the lease includes a partial month at the beginning and/or end (such as half of August, rather than the whole month), what is the amount of rent I would pay during those partial months?
When will I be expected to renew my lease?
Are you allowed to sublet the property? What is the process? How much is the fee?
What happens if my unit is not ready when my lease starts?

Are there any additional fees that I would be required to pay, in addition to the rent and security deposit?
How much is the security deposit?
What should I do to receive as much of my deposit back as possible?
What utilities are included in the rent? If any are not included, could you please let me know what my estimated monthly cost is?

How many parking places are available for the apartment? Is there a parking fee?
What appliances are provided?
Would you happen to know if internet service is included in the price? If so, what is the speed of the internet?
Is there a washer and dryer in the unit or on the premises? If not, where is the nearest laundry facility? If there is a laundry room, how many washers and dryers does it have, and is the payment system coin-operated or electronic?
Where is the nearest bus stop?

Is there a maintenance person on call 24/7? What is the emergency phone number?
Is there any security in the building or in the area? Is security different during weekdays vs. weekends, or during the academic year vs. breaks?
Are there exterior lights, and are they working?
Do all the bedrooms have smoke detectors? Are they hard-wired or battery-operated? If they are battery-operated, who is responsible for checking and replacing the batteries?
Does the unit have an emergency sprinkler system? Who pays for the damage if the system is triggered?

(For a house) Who is responsible for grass cutting? Snow removal? If they are the tenant's responsibility, what are the local rules regarding the frequency of these inspections?
If no one is home for the summer, can the utilities be turned off?
Are there local or community rules? Do you know where I can find those rules?