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?

Lease

• 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? Check the definition of any terms that are confusing.  
• If the lease includes a partial month at the beginning and/or end (such as half of August, rather than the full month), what is the amount of rent I would pay during those partial months?
• When will I be expected to renew my lease?
• Am I permitted to sublet? What is the process? How much is the fee?
• What happens if my unit is not ready when my lease starts?

Cost

• Are there fees 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, what is an estimate of my monthly cost?

Amenities

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

Maintenance, Safety & Security

• 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?

Tenant Responsibilities

• (For a house) Who is responsible for grass cutting? Snow removal? If they are the tenant's responsibility, what are the local rules about how often these need to be completed?
• If no one is home for the summer, can the utilities be turned off?
• Are there local or community rules? Where can I find those rules?