What does a lease generally cover?

Although some states enforce spoken agreements regarding rental property, it is always safer for both the tenant and the landlord to have a written agreement, commonly known as a lease. The lease spells out the general terms for the relationship between the two parties and can help clear up any disputes should they arise during the course of the agreement.

The lease addresses important issues such as the length of the relationship, who pays for which utilities, the rental cost, security deposit information and the policy on pets. Other things that are often addressed by a lease include whether or not a tenant can sublet the apartment and what the landlord's access will be to the property for the lease term. The document will also typically inform the tenant as to what changes they can make to the apartment during the course of the agreement.

A lease is considered a contract between the landlord and tenant, so make sure you read through the document carefully prior to signing. If there are any areas that you have questions on or disagree with, talk to the landlord about them to see if there is room for negotiation. Signing the lease means that you agree to be bound by the terms set forth in the document.

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