One huge mess-up a Celina tenant can make is not thoroughly reading the lease just prior to signing it. This is a massive problem considering that no two leases are precisely the same, and some landlords may incorporate things in the lease that you probably really shouldn’t agree to. A lease is a binding legal contract, so if a particular clause doesn’t violate state law, you could find yourself responsible for anything from unauthorized guests to tree removal. Before you sign anything at all, read the entire lease completely and carefully. And, as you read through the lease, watch out for these five things in particular.
1. Documentation of Property Condition
Just before signing a lease or moving into a new home, it’s imperative to find out if your landlord has a system for documenting the property’s condition. This is substantially important; if you don’t have some approach to document the property’s condition before you move in, you could pay the price. To protect yourself, make it a point to ask about your landlord’s documentation process and take proper and prompt actions to report any existing damage before you move in.
2. Termination Policy and Fees
Quite a lot of leases cover a specific time period, but others may renew on a month-to-month basis. No matter which styles your lease uses, it’s essential to grasp well the written policy about discontinuing or canceling the lease and what fees might be involved. Various leases may require advance notice that you’re leaving, often 30-60 days. Although others, on the other hand, may require serious penalties for terminating a lease. As an illustration, if you sign a 12-month lease but then need to move after six months, your lease may require you to pay a cancellation fee, the remaining rent on the contract, or both. You may moreover forfeit some or all of your security deposit. Since every lease is different, it’s necessary to read these policies thoroughly and, if you have any concerns or questions, discuss and settle them before you sign.
3. Roommates and Subletting
One usual misperception about renting a home is that a renter has the right to sublet all or part of their home to others. But numerous leases include clauses that strictly forbid renters from doing so. If you had been considering to sublet your home during an extended absence or get a roommate to help you with the rent, you’d need to validate your lease carefully to be sure that it is granted. The last thing you need is to get discovered illegally subletting your place – that can get you evicted or held financially responsible for any damage your illegal tenant has done while occupying the residence.
4. Pet Policy and Pet Fees
If you are going after a new home for not only yourself but additionally a well-liked pet, it’s significant to determine and check your lease attentively for your landlord’s pet policy. Trying to hide a pet from a landlord that doesn’t allow them on the property is not a perfect plan – some tenants who try this end up being caught. If pets are permitted, there may be additional fees or a deposit required. You should moreover find out if that deposit is refundable if your pet doesn’t cause any property damage. The only exception is if your pet is a service or emotional support animal. In that instance, your landlord must permit the animal on the property and cannot charge you additional fees. If you are in this condition, communicate openly with your landlord to prevent any issues in the course of time.
5. Cleaning and Other Responsibilities
As you read through the lease, take careful note of which responsibilities are assigned to whom. In countless leases, the landlord will do a few services while compelling you to do others. Some regular duties often (but not always) directed to a tenant comprise lawn maintenance, light bulb replacement, utilities, and cleaning. Most landlords opt to provide these services and have the property cleaned professionally between tenants. Most presume the tenant has to do it themselves or contract their own professional cleaning company to get the job done. Either way, you need to figure out your assignments and decide whether you are comfortable executing them before you sign the lease.
Lastly, it’s absolutely necessary to take the time to read your lease carefully. Make sure that you understand well every little thing, and ask for clarification if needed. Certain parts of your lease may be negotiable, so if it comprises things you don’t want, consider asking your landlord for revisions. You are the one who has to follow the lease terms so the more you know, the fewer surprises you’ll run into in the future.
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