Understanding Rental Agreements / Move-In Checklist

Today we will be looking over a sample apartment rental agreement and answering some questions about where to find specific pieces of information.  Questions include:

Click to Enlarge

1. Is the gas and electricity included in the rent?  Explain.
2. When is the rent due?
3. What is the amount of rent you will have to pay?
4. What happens if you make nail holes in the walls while hanging pictures or paint the  woodwork white? Explain.
5. What can happen if you allow your friend to repair his motorcycle in your garage or parking space?
6. Who pays the water bill?
7. Who is going to clear the sidewalks and driveways during the winter?
8. Will your security deposit always be returned in full?  Explain.
9. Can you keep a dog in the apartment?
10. If you have to leave town because of a job change, can you sublet the apartment?  Is it possible under any circumstances?
11. If there is a hail storm and the roof is damaged, who is responsible for fixing it so it doesn't leak?
12. Can your sister come into the apartment and stay indefinitely?
13. Can you run a mail order business from your apartment?
14. When can the landlord raise the rent?
15. Under what circumstances can the rental agreement be ended by the landlord?

IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY TERMS OF A RENTAL AGREEMENT, TAKE IT TO SOMEONE WHO WILL EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.  DON'T SIGN ANYTHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!

We will also look over a standard "Move-In/Move-Out Itemized Statement" from the California Apartment Association.  It's the standard form that landlords go over in the move-in "walk-through" for new tenants -- and it's where prospective tenants should write down every flaw they see (dirty items, scratched floors, dented walls, nail holes, cracked glass, etc.).  The same form will be used when the tenant moves out.

(Here is a similar online example of this form.)