Changes to the lease

If you made any oral agreements with the landlord when you saw the apartment or during the walk-through, they should be written in the contract. This includes any exceptions to the building's rules. Some buildings don't allow move-ins to happen after five pm, for instance. If you plan to move during those hours, you'll need to write that into the contract. You'll want to ask about pets or if you can run a home business from your apartment or even if you want to paint the walls a different color or use nails to hang pictures. Make sure it's all in your lease because changing a lease later on can open the door to increased rent.

If you are renting a rent-stabilized place. makes sure the rent-stabilization rider is included in the lease.

If you used an agent. he or she may or may not be at the lease signing. If your agent is not present, the landlord will collect the broker's fee and pass it on to the broker. Sometimes, the broker handles the lease signing on behalf of the landlord and you won't even meet the landlord

If you used a guarantor. the landlord should have already received all necessary information from him or her, and the guarantor paperwork will be attached to the lease.

If the apartment is empty and ready for you to move in. you'll get the keys when you sign the lease. Chances are, however, that the previous tenant will still be there or the apartment needs more work or your lease doesn't officially begin until a certain date. In these cases, you won't get the keys until move-in date. Make sure you call the landlord or the super or the building manager a few days before your move-in date to make sure everything is happening as it should. We've heard of people showing up with a truck of stuff only to find that the previous tenant hasn't moved out yet, and that's just not very pretty.

Finally

Keep a copy of all the paperwork that you and the landlord sign. These are official documents, and it can be hard to get a copy of them later on - especially if there's a problem.