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Take notes. The test is when you move out.
All about apartment leasing tips
Description of general apartment Leases
source: AOL
Leases are written agreements between you and your landlord. In general, they'll cover the following areas:
* Lease term
* Monthly rent amount
* When the rent is due
* Security deposit amount
* Utilities/Services provided by the landlord
* What the tenant is responsible for
* Building rules and special clauses
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Generally, most apartment leases are for a one-year term. Unless stated otherwise in the lease, most contain a holdover clause allowing the lease to continue on a month-to-month basis. A month to month lease is an agreement for a one-month period that is renewed automatically each month for another month until terminated by either side.
Common practice is for a written lease to require 30-day notice. A tenant must give written notice of intent to terminate by mailing or hand delivering a copy to the landlord.
It's important to carefully read and understand your lease. Apartment leases are not just formalities and, once signed by both parties, are fully enforceable whether or not you have read it. Most landlords use standard leases, but you can and may negotiate changes to clauses that you find unreasonable. To do this, cross out or amend the clause and both parties must initial the corrections on both your and your landlord's copies.
A security deposit is almost always required to offset the cost of repairing any property damage caused by you during the lease. Find out what the deposit covers and the conditions for a refund. You should inspect the property with the landlord and note any damages in writing and/or take photographs.
If you are charged for damages when you move out, ask for an itemized list of what was charged and the reasons why. Compare this list to the original list you made before you moved in. If there is a problem, let your landlord know immediately.
The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for anyone to be denied housing on the basis of color, sex, religion, or national origin. The local county government regulates tenant-landlord relations. If you feel you are being discriminated against, file a complaint with the Housing Discrimination Complaints with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also known as HUD.
If you are still not sure what the apartment leases are all about. Read more on what a Lease Primer is. Remember an
apartment lease is a written agreement between you and your landlord. Once signed, a lease is a binding contract.
Read this before you make a move: "Two dozen moving mistakes you can avoid".
Now here is the fun. Donald Trump said it best. No, not the 'You're fired!' You can say that when you move out. Because that is what you are practically doing by moving out to a 'better' place. Trump's book: "The Art of the Deal". Which bring me to another subject: Negotiation.
You can read more about The fine art of negotiating a lease.
When you are ready to do an apartment search,
Seattle apartments.
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