When the Lease Starts

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Woman smiling with moving boxes in new apartment

Moving In

Happy Moving Day! Here are a few move-in tips:

1. If the apartment is not clean when you arrive, contact the landlord immediately. You will not be reimbursed for cleaning the apartment yourself, and will be expected to leave it in a clean condition when you move out, no matter what condition it was in when you moved in.

2. Before bringing your belongings into the rental unit, perform a careful walk-through inspection. Make a list of pre-existing damages. Most landlords will provide you with a form called a move-in checklist. Take pictures of any damages you note, such as stains on carpeting, marks on walls, nicks on floorboards, damages to blinds and problems with bathroom or kitchen fixtures.
3. If the apartment is furnished, include an inspection of the furniture and photograph the condition of the items.
4. Return a copy of the move-in checklist to your landlord within the first couple of days after you move in and keep a copy for your records.
5. Did you already secure renters insurance?

Lease Rules

If a lease includes rules, they are usually incorporated as part of the lease. That means following those rules is just as important as paying rent. Be sure you are comfortable following the rules before signing the lease.

Being respectful of the property and your neighbors will satisfy most of the lease rules.

Here are a few that can be a little tricky:

  • Guests: Landlords are generally not allowed to restrict your right to invite friends and guests to your apartment. However, they can put reasonable limits on overnight guests so that you can't add a tenant without paying for them, and the number of guests you can have at any one time is already limited by fire and building code regulations.
  • Party Registration: Some leases require that tenants register parties in advance. Many leases are vague on what constitutes a party. If the lease does not specify the number of guests that equate to a party, be sure to ask.
  • outdoor party Cold weather: We live in an area where cold weather can be a real threat to the integrity of a building's water system. Landlords often include rules designed to prevent damage. These rules may include restrictions against opening windows at certain times, or requirements to maintain heat at a minimum level. Watch for provisions that are impossible for you to perform, such as providing daily inspections over winter break.
  • State College Borough points violations: Leases tend to contain very strict provisions regarding violations that result in nuisance points for the property such as noise or trash violations. Landlords in State College are particularly concerned about these violations because the points issued by the Borough attach to the property, putting the landlord's rental permit at risk. Check the lease to see how these are handled. If the landlord charges a fee for excessive noise, a single noise violation could easily cost you more than $1,000! You could be looking at a citation fine, a landlord fine, plus court costs and fees.
  • Pets: Because of the potential for property damage, landlords often levy significant fines for violations of no pet clauses. 'No pets' means no animal can even cross the threshold, even if it is not your pet. Some no pet apartments allow small aquariums. If the lease is not clear, be sure to ask before moving your goldfish into your pad.
  • More rules: A rules section will often include a provision that allows the landlord to add more rules throughout the term of the lease. Landlords typically use this provision to address unexpected problems that occur during the year. They can't apply a new rule without giving tenants notice of the new rule first. Before signing such a lease, decide whether you are comfortable granting a landlord the unrestricted right to impose new rules.

Repairs

The good news: Landlords are required to provide the basic maintenance to keep the apartment in habitable condition.

The bad news: The law does not provide tenants with the right to a perfect apartment.

Landlords in the State College area largely try to keep their properties in good condition and will repair damages as problems occur. Some leases even require that you report certain repair needs to your landlord in a timely manner, especially those that might cause more damage by waiting (like water leaks).

Here's what to do if something in your apartment needs to be repaired:

  • Check your lease to see if your landlord has a procedure for reporting repairs
  • Submit the repair request in writing to the landlord or property manager
  • Allow the landlord a reasonable time to fix the problem before following up

What not to do:

  • Don't ignore repair needs until you move out. The landlord is almost guaranteed to charge you for a repair if you never reported it during the lease term.
  • Don't ignore repair needs that could cause further damage. If you don't report a running toilet, for example, your landlord might charge you for the excessive water bill it caused.

man putting new lightbulb into hanging light fixture

Every situation is different. This website is meant to give you only general information, not specific legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney.