subject: What Is On The Rental Agreement [print this page] When you sign your first rental agreement, the form can be confusing and there are a lot of sections that it covers. This can help you understand what the information is and how it can help you successfully fill it out and live in your new home.
There are two types. You can have a month to month agreement, which means that you can move out at the end of any month, and are under no contractual agreement to have to stay. The other type is a lease that has a start and finish date, and you must stay the time involved to avoid any financial penalties. You will have one or the other of this type.
Deposits are covered under the paperwork, and you will know exactly how much you need to pay as a security deposit. This is done to cover any damage when the lease is up, and it may be able to be applied to the rent while you are living there, in which case you ill be responsible for paying the damages out of your own pocket before you leave. It will also detail how much you need to pay as an initial payment to move in, and any pet deposits you may have.
You will also have to list out all the people living in the house, and what cars you will have parked sat the property. In addition to this, there will be a list of rules you must follow while living there, or you can be evicted. They include things like noise and guests that stay at your place.
You will have to fill this out, and give them names of the people living there and social security numbers. This is for the protection of all the residents. License plates and make and model of the cars is also asked for, since many places tow unauthorized vehicles.
It will also detail what the landlord is responsible for fixing, and what you can do to fix the place up. It also will list explicitly when they can enter in your apartment. The eviction process for non payment of rent and what they consider abandonment will also be covered.
The rental agreement is pretty straight forward and can help you understand your rights as a tenant. This document will help you be able to understand the process of what the landlord will do, what you can do at your home and all the money that you will owe to them. Keep a copy of this where in a safe place that is easily accessible so you can be sure that you have all the information on hand when you need it.
