DO DON’T Read the lease and make sure Do not sign a lease until you you understand it. have consulted with SLS. Do sign a 12-month lease Review a copy of the lease not with an attorney at SLS prior unless you are willing to pay to signing it. rent for 12 months. When you sign a joint lease, Do not sign a joint lease with expect to pay the full rent, not roommates unless all just your roommates are willing to “share”. Obtain a copy of the lease that rent. you submit and also one Do not sign a lease that signed by all parties, requires a guarantor without including the landlord. Get the guarantor being approved copies of all attachments or first. addendums to the lease. Do not sign a lease with an Have all promised repairs automatic renewal clause. and improvements written Do not sign a lease that gives into the lease and signed by the landlord unlimited access the landlord. to the apartment without Try to see your actual unit. notice or consent. Get clear written permission Do not sign a lease before for any pets. visiting the neighborhood at Check for maintenance various times during the day, responsibilities when renting at night and on weekends. a house or duplex. Do not sign a lease until all Determine who is responsible agreements negotiated with for pest control, utilities, the landlord are in writing. phone, cable and internet service. How Do I Find A Good Roommate? Check the Off-Campus Life website at . Check bulletin boards around campus and classified and online ads as additional sources. Discuss with potential roommates preferences in food, music, personal habits, sleeping and study hours, friends and finances. An open and frank appraisal of each other’s likes, dislikes, and expectations will increase the
DO Read the lease and make sure you understand it. Review a copy of the lease with an attorney at SLS prior to signing it. When you sign a joint lease, expect to pay the full rent, not just your “share”. Obtain a copy of the lease that you submit and also one signed by all parties, including the landlord. Get copies of all attachments or addendums to the lease. Have all promised repairs and improvements written into the lease and signed by the landlord. Try to see your actual unit. Get clear written permission for any pets. Check for maintenance responsibilities when renting a house or duplex. Determine who is responsible for pest control, utilities, phone, cable and internet service. DON’T Do not sign a lease until you have consulted with SLS. Do not sign a 12-month lease unless you are willing to pay rent for 12 months. Do not sign a joint lease with roommates unless all roommates are willing to rent. Do not sign a lease that requires a guarantor without the guarantor being approved first. Do not sign a lease with an automatic renewal clause. Do not sign a lease that gives the landlord unlimited access to the apartment without notice or consent. Do not sign a lease before visiting the neighborhood at various times during the day, at night and on weekends. Do not sign a lease until all agreements negotiated with the landlord are in writing. How Do I Find A Good Roommate? Check the Off-Campus Life website at . Check bulletin boards around campus and classified and online ads as additional sources. Discuss with potential roommates preferences in food, music, personal habits, sleeping and study hours, friends and finances. An open and frank appraisal of each other’s likes, dislikes, and expectations will increase the
AGatorsGuideToRenting.revised.docx