Signing a lease for a new apartment can be very exciting and a little intimidating. You ll be better equipped to read the document and catch anything that doesn t make sense if you know what to expect.

Who fixes what?

Your lease should indicate who is responsible for repairs in the apartment. Frequently, these binding documents make tenants responsible for minor repairs and landlords responsible for major ones, though this may differ depending on your rental management company.

Other items

Your agreement may, or may not, include details on the following:

• Pet fees: Many apartment communities require an additional security deposit or rent to have a pet on the property.
• Utilities: You and your landlord should already have agreed on what utility payments you will be responsible for.
• Modifications: The document may specify that you cannot make significant changes to the property, including painting, replacing carpet or floors or knocking out walls. If you really want a change to the apartment, you might be able to negotiate this ahead of time. Make sure that any repairs or modifications you agree on verbally are written down in the lease.