# Signing your first apartment lease: what to check > Read the whole lease before you sign. Check rent, the due date, late fees, the deposit and which utilities you pay; the lease length, auto-renewal, notice to move out and the cost to break it; and who handles repairs, landlord entry, pets, guests and roommates. Question unfair clauses and get changes in writing. Photograph the place at move-in, and never send money before seeing it and confirming the owner. - URL: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=first-apartment-lease ## Step by step 1. **Signing your first apartment lease?** It’s a legal contract, often for a year. Read all of it before you sign. Here’s what to check. 2. **Check the money parts.** Rent, the due date, late fees, the security deposit, and which utilities you pay. 3. **Check the dates and the exit.** How long the lease lasts, whether it renews automatically, how much notice you must give, and what it costs to leave early. 4. **Check the house rules.** Who handles repairs, how much notice the landlord gives before entering, and rules on pets, guests and roommates. 5. **Question anything unfair.** Clauses like giving up your right to repairs may not be enforceable. Ask to change confusing terms, and get any changes in writing. 6. **Document the place before moving in.** Take dated photos and video, and fill out a move-in checklist. It protects your deposit later. 7. **Avoid rental scams.** Never send money before seeing the place and confirming who owns it. Be wary of deals far below market or landlords who can’t meet in person. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Read the whole lease - Check rent, fees, deposit and utilities - Check length, renewal and breaking it - Check repairs, entry, pets and guests - Document the place at move-in - Never pay before seeing it ## It’s a contract A lease is legally binding, often for 12 months. Read every page and ask about anything unclear before signing. ## The money Rent, due date, how you pay, late fees and any grace period, the security deposit and how it’s returned, and which utilities you pay. ## The time Lease length, whether it renews automatically, how much notice you must give before moving out, and what happens if you need to leave early. ## The rules Who handles repairs and how to request them, how much notice the landlord gives before entering, and rules on pets, guests, parking, roommates and subletting. ## Unfair clauses Some clauses, like giving up your right to repairs, may not be enforceable under your state’s law. Ask questions, and get any changes in writing, signed by both of you. ## Before you move in Take dated photos and video, and fill out a move-in checklist. Keep a signed copy of the lease. Many leases require renters insurance. ## Avoid scams Never wire money or pay a deposit before seeing the place and confirming who owns it. Be wary of prices far below market. ## Common questions ### Can I break my lease early? Usually, but you may owe rent or a fee as the lease says. Some states let you leave early for reasons like military duty or domestic violence, and many require landlords to try to re-rent. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/can-i-break-my-lease-early ### Do I need a co-signer? If you have little credit or income history, a landlord may ask for a co-signer or a larger deposit. Ask what they accept. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/do-i-need-a-co-signer ### What should I look for in a lease before signing? Rent and fees, the deposit, utilities, lease length and renewal, notice to move out, the cost to break it, repair responsibilities, landlord entry, and rules on pets and guests. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-lease-before-signing ### Can a landlord change the lease after I sign? Generally not during the lease term without your agreement, unless the lease allows certain changes. Get any changes in writing. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/can-a-landlord-change-the-lease-after-i-sign ### What is an auto-renewal clause? A term that renews the lease automatically unless you give notice by a set date. Note the deadline on your calendar. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/what-is-an-auto-renewal-clause ### How much notice does a landlord need to enter? Many states require reasonable notice, often around 24 hours, except in emergencies. Check your lease and state law. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/how-much-notice-does-a-landlord-need-to-enter ### What is a co-signer or guarantor? Someone who agrees to pay if you don’t. Landlords may ask for one if you have little credit or income history. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/what-is-a-co-signer-or-guarantor ### How do I spot a rental scam? Prices far below market, pressure to pay by wire or gift card, landlords who can’t show the place, or listings copied from elsewhere. Source page: https://explained.page/first-apartment-lease/questions/how-do-i-spot-a-rental-scam ## Official sources - [HUD: renting help and tenant rights](https://www.hud.gov/) - [FTC consumer advice: rental listing scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) - [CFPB: renting](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] tenant rights handbook" - "[your city] tenant union" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.