One of the first rules of being a good consumer is to read and understand a written agreement or contract before you sign it. That certainly applies to a rental agreement or apartment/house lease.
"The Renter's Handbook," printed by Utah Legal Services Inc., advises potential renters to understand what a rental or lease agreement says before signing it. If you don't understand what it means, ask the landlord to explain.If you understand his explanation, ask him to write down what he said. Then you sign the explanation that you understand. Do not sign an agreement you don't understand.
If you read and understand the agreement but don't like what it says, don't sign it.
Before you sign a rental agreement, the booklet says you should make sure it contains the following information:
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of the persons who are signing it.
- Location of the property you are going to rent.
- Amount of rent.
- Person responsible for utility bills.
- Extent of landlord's obligation to repair and maintain the property.
- Statement of notices that are to be given in writing.
- Description of the premises before you rent them and a list of furnishings, if any, that are there.
- Reasons for any deposits you pay and the conditions under which they will be returned to you.
A rental agreement usually applies when you are a tenant on a month-to-month basis. This kind of agreement gives you the freedom to move any time you want as long as you give your landlord at least 15 days notice before the next month's rent is due. The month-to-month agreement also gives the landlord the freedom to give you notice at least 15 days before the next month's rent is due.
A lease usually applies for a longer period and the rent is set for that period. Its disadvantage is that a lease can make you remain longer than you want to. If you move before the lease is up, you may have to pay the landlord's expenses for renting the apartment or any rent that comes due before he can rerent it.
On the other hand, a lease lets you stay for the specified period of time for the amount of rent that's specified in the contract.
The landlord can't increase the rent above what is specified in the contract, and he can't force you to move before the lease is up.