Questions To Ask Landlord Before Renting

There are certain questions you should ask a landlord before renting out the apartment, after all, you need to be clear about the rules. So, be sure to ask a few simple questions to make sure this lease is right for you and you are a good fit for them also. Not knowing things like the terms of the lease, or information on applicable policies may spark conflict in the future. So here are the most important questions to ask before renting an apartment.

1. Monthly rent.

Always be sure to ask how much the rent costs and what is included, things like utilities, parking, as some apartments include utilities such as water and sewage as part of the rent.
Make sure to get all the details so that you know exactly what you are paying for because you need to be sure that you can cover all other living expenses including rent, utility bills for heating, water, gas, electricity, trash, and internet.

2. Refunding security deposit.

Most of the time security deposit is usually refundable, although, depending on some unique circumstances the landlord may keep a portion of the deposit. And most of the time it happens when the tenant violates the terms of the lease or causes damage to the property. So make sure to ask important questions prior to check-in day about what lease terms are in place for refunding the security deposit.

3. Renter insurance.

Some landlords or property management companies may require tenants to have renter insurance, it is a policy that helps to cover their belongings if they are stolen or damaged in an event such as a fire. Renters' insurance can also provide liability coverage that may help to pay for another person's medical bills or repairs to their property if they're found legally responsible for their injuries or property damage. Always consider talking to the insurance company to find out which coverage is right for these different situations.

4. Maintenance requests.

Maintenance is a frequent subject of disputes between landlords and tenants, especially when it comes to emergencies. Always be sure to ask how they define an emergency on the property and what kind of maintenance services your landlord will provide. If they offer an emergence service, ask how you can get access to the service team if something happens. Also, get confirmation on how long it usually takes to resolve these requests.

5. Pet policy.

Ask the landlord if they allow pets and ask about any restrictions they might impose, like the size limit, breed, and the number of pets that you can have on the property. Many landlords and property management companies charge tenants for a pet deposit or a non-refundable pet fee, or even a monthly pet fee as part of a rental agreement. So if you have or looking to have pets in the apartment, make sure to take time to talk about pet policy and how much it will cost to have them on the property before signing the lease.

6. Guest policy.

This is one of the most important questions to ask when renting an apartment. Find out what is the capacity limit and if it applies to guests who may want to stay overnight. If you have a friend who wants to live with you or a large family, make sure you meet the apartment's occupancy standards before renting out, as most apartment bedrooms cannot accommodate more than two people, including children.

7. Lease termination.

If you need to go through early termination of your lease because of your personal situation, make sure your landlord approves this. Most of the time you're going to find that the rental agreements include a clause indicating the consequences of early termination. And most of the time there is usually a fee for breaking the lease too early. But things do happen during your stay, as a new job, an injury, you might need to take care of your parents and so forth, that's why you should stay away from homeowners who won't let you terminate your lease for any reason. Some make sure to have that conversation in the situation of early lease termination with your landlord, as some may still charge you a fee, others may simply want you to find a qualified tenant to take over your apartment.

8. Late fees.

One of the most important questions to ask when renting an apartment is, are there penalties for late payment. As some landlords will let their tenants go with a warning the first time, some may impose a fine. So before moving in talk about the payment method and the term so there will be no confusion after moving in, as some landlords only accept cash or checks, while others are more convenient to pay rent using direct debit cards or setting up recurring payments.

9. Lease duration.

Most leases are for 12 months or more, but in some cases, they could be for 6 months. So make sure to find out the lease duration, as if they require you to sign a lease for 18 months, there is no point in signing an agreement that binds you for that period if you're just looking for a short-term rental property. Also, before moving out, ask how many notices your landlord requires before you vacate the premises, as it may usually be from one to three months. But always make sure to check it with the landlord so you do not violate the terms of the lease when you decide to move out.

It is vital for any tenant to ask these questions prior to signing the lease, but keep in mind that asking questions is not enough. You can get the answers you want but you have to make sure you get these answers in writing and review the lease carefully before signing.