17 Urgent Questions You Need to Ask Before Signing an Apartment Lease

Finding the right apartment can be a challenging process which makes understanding the terms of the lease agreement key to a successful move. Before signing a lease, look over the details carefully, make sure you understand all the terms and conditions and ask questions if something is unclear. With preparation, you can make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.

It may be helpful to have a few guiding questions ready before touring apartments or talking to a leasing agent. This will ensure that all the must-have amenities and deal-breakers on your wishlist are accounted for BEFORE the pen hits the paper.

What should you ask?

Before signing an apartment lease:

What is the rent amount and when is it due?

There’s likely a lot of information regarding pricing on the apartment complex website or third-party websites, but nothing quite compares to the exact numbers that the leasing agents can give you. You’re going to want to make sure that you understand exactly how much each unit you’re interested will cost and what that cost includes. It may also be helpful to have an understanding of when rent is due and how that compares to any other expenses you have and your payday.

What utilities are included in the rent?

This is where the point about knowing what’s included in the rent comes in handy. Before deciding if a unit is within your budget, you’ll need to know if the cost of rent includes other necessities like electricity, water, and wifi. If these things aren’t a part of the lease terms, then you might have to decide to go another direction to stay in budget.

A good follow-up question if utilities aren’t included within the lease agreement may be to inquire about the average utility bill amount in the area and/or building. This will give you a better idea of if having separate utilities will still work for you.

Are there any additional fees, such as a security deposit or move-in fee?

Sometimes apartments will have you put down a deposit during the lease signing, before move-in. This is important because you could need up to 2 months rent ready at the signing and you don’t want to take the risk of losing a unit you really like because you weren’t prepared.

Another additional fee that I’ve seen some complexes charge is a fee for pest control or trash pickup. These weren’t optional fees, but the lease highlighted what portion of the rent was going to these services. If there are fees in the agreement that you’re unsure of or any amenities that you think may come at an additional charge, it doesn’t hurt to ask about them before signing the lease.

What is the lease term, and are there any penalties for breaking the lease early?

Even if you see no logical reason why you’d need to break your lease, you know what they say… “things happen when you least expect it”. You never know what situation may arise, so it is always a good idea to know how you can respond in the event of an emergency. The more you know the easier it will be to react in unanticipated situations.

Are there any restrictions on decorating or modifying the apartment?

There are tons of renter-friendly decorating tutorials all over youtube and other social media platforms, but before you start hanging the renter-friendly wallpaper or painting the bedroom walls, check the lease terms and with the leasing agent about what modifications to the apartment are allowed during your stay.

The last thing you want is to get hit with a massive fine because you made the apartment feel more like a home without the correct clearance.

Are there any restrictions on guests or overnight visitors?

Especially if this is your first apartment in a new city, it’s nice to know who is welcome to visit and what that will look like. For me, the answer to this question determined if I would be getting a sleeper sofa or cloud sofa dupe for guests to stay on. This also gave my parents an idea of how far in advance they’d have to plan trips (in case they had to book a hotel). As a new college grad, I also want to know if my friends from other cities can come and stay in my apartment.

What is the parking situation?

Is the parking indoor or outdoor? Are there security cameras in parking locations? Does a parking spot come at an extra cost? These are all important questions to ask, especially if having a car is necessary for you to complete everyday tasks in the area like getting groceries or going to work.

Another bonus question that I was personally curious about what the availability of EV charging and costs associated with that. I’m interested in getting an electric vehicle for my next car and it never hurts to be extra prepared and inquire about resources that may be helpful in the future.

What is the policy on pets, if applicable?

While I don’t have any pets coming with me to my new apartment, this is an essential question to ask if you do. Figuring out the policy on pets can help you avoid potential fines in the event that you accidentally don’t follow a rule.

If you’re allergic to common household pets, it’s also a good idea to understand the pet policy so that you know common areas where pets can roam. You also may want to understand how lenient the policy is, so that you can make a fully informed decision about how living in the community may affect your health.

How are maintenance requests handled, and what is the response time for repairs?

This question is important for both safety and convenience. You want to ensure that if you have problems in your apartment like the heat breaking, that utilities will be looked at and fixed in a timely manner (especially if you live in a colder area).

Knowing the policy of when and how maintenance workers can enter your apartment is also important so that you feel comfortable with how repairs are happening. Are you notified of the time well in advance? Do the maintenance workers come while you’re home? Do they have a key to your unit or do they need to be let in? These are all questions that can help you understand the policy which can keep you comfortable and safe.

Is renter’s insurance required or recommended?

Renter’s insurance is typically not costly, but you also want to know the full picture of what you’re committing to financially before signing a lease. I’ve always aired on the side of caution and would recommend getting insurance even if it’s not required, but this question doesn’t hurt to ask.

Are there any noise restrictions or quiet hours?

This question can be beneficial both ways. As someone who thinks of their home as a peaceful safe haven, I’d like to have a heads up about what times I may expect more noise. On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes to have a lot of friends over who may get a little rowdy, you may want to know if the living community will restrict your ability to socialize freely. In either case, knowing if there are noise requirements can help you pick an apartment that best fits your lifestyle.

What appliances are included in the apartment (e.g. refrigerator, oven, dishwasher)?

One of my must-have apartment items was an in-unit washer or dryer. If a building was unable to offer, that it was a dealbreaker for me. The last thing you want is to show up on move-in day and not have appliances that 1. cost a lot of money and 2. would be a big inconvenience to not have. Most apartments do supply the basic appliances (fridge and oven), but this question is simple enough to ask and not asking could have you end up in unfortunate circumstances.

Are there any move-in incentives or promotions available?

Although 13 is an unlucky number, this question can end up with an incredibly lucky answer. Even if you’re not 100% certain it’s the place for you, ask about any leasing specials and/or company specials. A few of the apartments I toured were new and really trying to fill the communities, so specials ranged from 1 month free to $1,000 gift cards and even special rent prices based on my employer. This is a great way to save money or even gain money to help with the move and could even help sway your decision if you’re between multiple units. Remember: if you don’t ask the answer will always be no.

Is subletting allowed, and if so, what are the requirements?

Similar to question 4, even if you’re not planning on leaving the area early or wanting to move out, you never know where life will take you and asking about subletting may save you stress later on if plans do change. Not to mention, there are plenty of reasons that you may need to sublet your apartment that don’t include disliking the community or location including:

• Extended travel for work
• Moving into a new apartment before the lease term concludes

Are there any restrictions on using common areas (e.g. pool, gym, clubhouse)?

Everyone’s lifestyle is different which makes understanding access to common areas extremely important. You’ll want to know if you can wake up at 5 am and go to the gym before work or if you’ll be able to reserve conference rooms for work from home days. If the access communal areas is unable to meet your lifestyle needs, that’s important to consider.

What is the policy on renewing the lease once it ends?

WOOHOO! You love your new place, what’s next? If you see yourself staying somewhere for longer than a year it may be worth it to ask about the process for lease renewal. This can reduce confusion once your move-out date approaches and can keep you from running into problems with your unit potentially getting leased out before you’re ready to leave.

Another thing to consider would be to ask about a potential rent increase (or decrease) if you decided to renew your lease.

Is the building and surrounding neighborhood safe and secure?

Feeling safe in your new home should not be a concern. You should be confident that at any time every person in the building is supposed to be there and that all of the workers take your concerns seriously. Ask questions about building access, parking structure access, and the safety of nearby communities. Also, make sure to visit any buildings you’re interested in at all times of day and night (if possible) so you can see for yourself if the community feels safe.

Before signing a lease, it’s a good idea to ask questions. Collect all the information you can about the property, the landlord, and the rental terms/agreement. This will ensure you’re comfortable, informed, and will have the best experience possible in your new home.