Lease Agreement
Make sure you get a Lease Agreement.
Always ask the landlord for a copy of the lease. Private landlords usually have copies of blank lease agreements who will ask you to fill them in beware read it before you sign. Make sure you carefully read the agreement before you sign. If your lease agreement seems particularly complicated then it is highly recommended that you get it checked out by a Lawyer.
Signing Your Lease
Most importantly, read the lease carefully before signing it. Even if you have read and signed leases in the past, know what is expected as a resident when moving into each particular property.
If any additional agreements are made with the management not listed in the lease, put them in writing and ask the Landlord/Agent to sign the amendments. Keep a copy of all documents and correspondence with you: lease contract, renewal statements, apartment inventory form, cancelled checks, repair requests, complaint letters, etc. There are certain sections that require particular scrutiny: party/noise clauses, terms of lease, rent and other charges, community policies and rules, entry of property representatives into property, and move-out notice.
An obligation of the tenant that is often overlooked is that the property must be used for the purpose for which it was leased. Any misuse by the tenant may cause the lease to be dissolved. For example, if several students begin operating a bar in a rental property, the bar is considered an unlicensed business and serious consequences will occur if the business is discovered by the landlord or law enforcement.