You’ve finally found your dream apartment after weeks of searching.
It checks all your boxes – perfect location, beautiful finishes, and lots of natural light.
You’re ready to sign on the dotted line and make it your new home. But wait! Before you commit to a lease, there are some important questions you need to ask your potential landlord.
Asking the right questions upfront can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
It helps you:
- Understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
- Avoid surprise costs or fees
- Ensure the apartment and building meet your needs and expectations
- Establish a good relationship with your landlord from the start
Questions to Ask a Landlord Before Signing a Lease
In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk through the top 10 must-ask questions to discuss with a landlord before signing a lease. Let’s dive in so you can rent with confidence and find an apartment you’ll love living in!
How much is the rent and when is it due?
First and foremost, make sure you have clarity on the monthly rent amount. You don’t want any confusion on how much you’re expected to pay each month. A simple, direct question works well here: “What is the monthly rent for this apartment?”
Be sure to also ask when rent is due, what forms of payment are accepted (check, Venmo, etc.), and if there is any grace period. Most landlords require rent on the 1st of the month, but some may set a different due date. You need to know the date, amount, and method so you can budget accordingly and always pay on time.
Find out if there are any late fees if you miss the deadline, and how much they are. Typical late fees range from 5-10% of your monthly rent. Paying on time is important, but it’s also good to understand what happens in case you ever have an issue getting rent in on the exact due date one month.
Lastly, ask how often the rent amount is increased, by how much, and how far in advance you will be notified. It’s normal for rent to go up a small percentage annually, often 2-5%. But you should be given at least 30-60 days heads up before an increase. This information allows you to plan for the higher payment in your budget.
Are utilities included in the rent?
Don’t assume that the monthly rent covers everything. In some apartments, things like electricity, gas, water, trash, and internet/cable are all included. But more commonly, you’ll be expected to set up and pay some or all of the utilities yourself in addition to rent. This can add a significant amount to your monthly expenses if you’re not prepared for it.
Politely inquire, “Could you please let me know which utilities, if any, are included in the monthly rent?” If some are included but not others, ask for a list specifying which ones you’ll be responsible for so you have that in writing.
For any utilities not covered, ask if the landlord has a sense of the typical monthly cost. While it will vary by your usage, they should be able to give you a ballpark estimate based on past tenants. Factor those amounts into your budget to get a true picture of the monthly cost of living in the apartment.
Also ask what you’ll need to do to get those utilities set up in your name, like calling the power and water company. Some cities have just one option for providers, but others give you a choice of companies. Find out if the landlord has a required or recommended provider to use. Taking care of this before move-in day will make sure you have a smooth transition into your new place.
Is the security deposit refundable?
Most landlords require a security deposit, in addition to the first month’s rent, before you move in. This deposit protects them in case of any unpaid rent or damage to the apartment. Security deposits can range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars, so it’s important to understand what that money covers and if you’ll get it back.
Ask the landlord, “What are the terms of the security deposit? How much is it, what does it cover, and how much is refundable at the end of the lease if the apartment is left in good condition?” In most cases, as long as you pay all your rent and bills, and don’t trash the place, you should get the majority of your deposit back.
But some landlords keep a portion, often $100-200, as a non-refundable cleaning fee, even if you leave the place spotless. Some also include other non-refundable fees, like for pets or administrative costs. Make sure you’re clear on exactly how much of the deposit you can expect to be returned if you fulfill the lease terms.
Also, ask what the process is for getting your deposit back after you move out. How long will it take, and will it be mailed to you or deposited in your bank account? Are there any specific cleaning or move-out tasks you need to complete? Having a thorough move-out checklist can help you get as much of that deposit back as possible.
How long is the lease term?
Make sure you know exactly how long you’re committing to live in this apartment before you sign. Most landlords require a 1-year lease to start, but some may do 6 months, 9 months, 18 months or even go month-to-month. Think realistically about your needs and situation to determine what lease length makes sense for you.
If you’re in a transitional stage, just moved to a new city, or plan to buy a home soon, a shorter lease gives you more flexibility. However, you’ll likely pay a bit more in rent for that flexibility. If you know you’ll be staying a while, a longer lease locks in a set rent, which is good for budgeting. It can also make you seem like a more appealing tenant.
Ask plainly, “How long is the lease term?” Then consider asking a follow-up like, “Is there any flexibility in the lease length?” or “What options do I have for shorter or longer lease terms based on my situation?” If the landlord offers a few options, make sure you know how the length impacts the monthly rent price.
Also, find out what happens when the initial lease term is up. Will it automatically go month-to-month? Will you need to sign another year’s lease? Is there an option to renew for a longer period if you want to stay but not commit to a full year? Getting a sense of the lease length options upfront helps you plan.
Are there any building amenities or extra fees?
Some buildings come with great amenities, like a gym, pool, package room, bike storage, or movie screening room. Those perks can add a lot of value and convenience to your living experience if you’ll use them. But they also often come with additional fees, on top of your monthly rent.
Ask the landlord to outline any building amenities and if there are extra costs associated with them. There could be flat fees, like $35/month for the use of the gym. Or there may be hourly or daily rates, like a charge per package if you get more than 10 delivered a month, or a fee to rent the movie room.
If an amenity is important to you, like having in-building laundry, also confirm the details and any associated costs. Are washers and dryers coin-operated or do you pay per load on an app? How much is each wash and dry cycle? Is there an option to install a washer/dryer unit in your apartment for an extra charge?
Also, ask about any building services you may need to pay for. Some buildings charge a move-in/move-out fee to reserve the elevator. Others tack on a monthly fee for pest control. If you have a car, ask about parking options and fees. Covered or garage parking often costs $100-300 extra per month so factor that into your rent budget if you’ll need a spot.
What is your guest policy?
Your apartment is your home and you should be able to have friends and family visit. But some landlords set strict limits on the number of guests you can have over and how long they can stay. It’s important to understand the building’s guest policy upfront so you don’t unintentionally violate your lease.
Ask, “What is your policy for guests visiting my apartment? Is there a limit to how many guests I can have at a time or how many consecutive nights they can stay over?” Most landlords are fine with a guest staying a night or two here and there. But if your best friend needs to crash with you for a week, or your partner regularly spends 3-4 nights a week, it’s important to clear that with your landlord.
Some leases specify that no one other than the signed tenants can stay longer than 2 weeks. That prevents you from moving in a long-term guest without them being screened, approved, and added to the lease. Make sure you’re clear on the rules and OK with abiding by them before signing.
Also, ask about any specific rules for entertaining, so you know what’s allowed if you want to host a birthday party or have a few friends over for dinner. Are there quiet hours where no loud noise is allowed? Is there a maximum number of guests per apartment? Are you responsible for your guests if they cause any damage in common areas? Knowing the rules keeps you in compliance.
Are pets allowed?
If you have a furry friend or think you may want to get one in the future, you need to know the building’s pet policy before signing a lease. Many buildings allow cats and dogs, but often with certain breed or size restrictions. For example, some may only allow dogs under 50 lbs or ban breeds like pit bulls and German shepherds.
Even if you don’t have a pet now, ask, “What is your policy on pets? Are dogs, cats, and other pets allowed in the building?” If pets are permitted, find out if you need to pay a pet deposit or monthly pet rent. Those fees can range from $100-500 for a deposit and $25-100 for pet rent, so make sure you’re factoring them into your budget.
Also, ask about the approval process for pets. Some buildings require you to show vet records verifying the pet is spayed/neutered and up-to-date on shots. Others ask you to bring the pet in to meet the building manager before approval. You may also have to sign a separate pet addendum outlining your responsibilities.
If you get a vague or hesitant response about the pet policy, press for more details. You don’t want to sign a lease assuming a pet is OK, then later get in trouble or even evicted for violating the policy. Get clear confirmation in writing that your pet would be approved so there are no issues down the road.
Can I paint or make other changes to personalize my space?
You want your apartment to feel like home. But before you start picking out paint colors and installing new light fixtures, you need to know what changes your landlord will allow. Most leases specify that you have to return the apartment to the same condition as when you moved in, so any modifications require pre-approval.
To open the conversation, you could say something like, “I’d love to add some personal touches to make this feel like home, like painting and hanging art. What is your policy on tenants making changes to their apartment?” In general, nail holes for hanging decor are not a problem. For painting, some landlords allow it as long as you get the color approved and agree to repaint back to the original color before moving out.
Upgrades like swapping out light fixtures, faucets or cabinet hardware often require permission since those items are building property. If there are specific changes you want to make, like installing a ceiling fan or smart thermostat, be upfront and ask, “Would you be open to me making XYZ change? I’m happy to cover the cost and installation.”
Some landlords may agree if you use their approved contractors. Others may ask you to leave the upgraded items when you move out in exchange for allowing the change. If a landlord seems hesitant about your proposed modifications, ask if there are any they would approve. Having some flexibility to make your apartment feel like your own can be a major factor in how happy you are living there.
How are repairs and maintenance requests handled?
No matter how great an apartment is, things will break or malfunction from time to time. A stopped-up sink, a no-heat call in winter, a broken washing machine – as a tenant, you want to know that any issues will be addressed quickly by building maintenance.
Ask your landlord, “What is the procedure for requesting repairs and maintenance for my apartment? How quickly can I expect a response?” For some routine fixes that aren’t urgent, it’s usually fine to email your landlord or submit an online request form. Note the expected response time so you know how long repairs could take.
For more pressing issues, like a major leak or power outage, ask if there is a 24/7 number you can call for immediate help. You want assurance that in an emergency, you have someone to contact for prompt assistance, even on weekends or overnight. If the landlord lives offsite or isn’t always available, make sure you have another point of contact for urgent matters.
Also ask if there are any regular maintenance services, like pest control or exterior window washing, that might require access to your apartment. Find out how much-advanced notice you’ll be given and if you need to be home to let workers in. If there is a specific day for repairs and maintenance requests, like every Tuesday, make note of that as well. Knowing the protocol keeps you informed and makes sure any issues are handled properly.
What happens if I need to break my lease early?
Life happens and sometimes that means you have to move before your lease is up. Maybe you get a job in a new city, decide to move in with a partner, or want to buy a home. While a lease is a binding agreement, it’s important to understand your options in case you ever need to break it.
Frame your question in a non-alarming way, like: “In the event of a major life change or circumstance out of my control, what is your policy on early lease termination? I want to understand all the terms of the lease upfront.” No landlord wants to hear that you’re already planning your exit before you even move in. But most will understand you asking about the policy, just in case.
In an ideal scenario, the landlord may say you can break the lease without penalty as long as you give 30 or 60 days’ notice. Some may require you to find a replacement tenant to take over the remainder of your lease term. If that’s the case, ask if you’d be responsible for paying rent until a new tenant moves in or if the landlord helps in the search.
Many leases specify that you’re responsible for paying a certain amount of rent to break the lease, often 2-3 months’ worth. You may also forfeit your security deposit. Ask if there are any other fees as well, so you can assess the full financial burden of breaking a lease. No one plans for it, but knowing the worst-case scenario lets you be prepared for any situation.
Conclusion
Before you sign on the dotted line of a lease, make sure you have all the information you need to make a smart decision.
Asking these 10 key questions will give you a full picture of the apartment, building policies, and your responsibilities as a tenant.
Don’t be shy about getting all the details you need to feel confident in your choice.
A good landlord will happily answer all your questions and want you to feel fully informed.
Clarifying the terms upfront sets expectations on both sides and helps create a positive tenant-landlord relationship.
With the answers to these questions, you can find an apartment you love and will enjoy living in for the full lease term.