Lease vs. Month-to-Month rental agreement (continued)

If you are going to rent an apartment with a lease, be sure that you can live there for the amount of time that the lease, requires. If you break a lease before the renewal date you can be sued in court for breach of contract.
All rental agreements, written or verbal, are binding once entered by a tenant and landlord: There is no grace period to withdraw. If you agree to rent an apartment and change your mind, the landlord can hold you liable for his/her losses, which can include losing security deposit you put down. Before you enter a rental agreement is sure you are committed to it for the time agreed upon.

Lease vs. Month-to-Month rental agreement

If you rent an apartment on a month to month basis both the landlord and the tenant have the option of ending the tenancy by giving only one month's notice (written or verbal). The landlord can also decide to raise the rent or make other changes in the agreement by giving your one month's notice (i.e. telling you that you no longer have use of washer/dryer, basement or driveway etc.).
However, if you have a lease the terms of the agreement with he landlord stay set for the full length of time of the lease. For example, the rent will stay set for the whole lease and the landlord can't tell you to move until the lease expires unless you fail to pay the rent or otherwise break the contract. In such cases the landlord can go to court to evict you.

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What will generally be in your lease? (Continued)

9. Pets. Your lease or rental agreement will identify whether or not you can have pets and if so, any limitations or restrictions.
10. Other Restrictions. In addition the lease may cover - local ordinances, health and safety codes, occupancy rules, and antidiscrimination laws.
Other legal restrictions, such as limits on the type of business you may run from your apartment and rules and regulations covering parking and use of common areas should be specifically mentioned in your lease or rental agreement.

What will generally be in your lease? (Continued)

7. Entry to rental property. The lease spells out when the landlord can enter your rental unit -- for example, to make repairs -- and state how much advance notice will be provided to you before entering.
8. Restriction on illegal activity. Your lease may include a clause that specifically describes prohibited behaviors, such as an excessive noise, and illegal activity, such as drug dealing.

What will generally be in your lease? (Continued)

6. Repairs and maintenance. In order to make sure that you receive the portion of your deposit back that you deserve, it is best if your responsibilities for repair and maintenance are in your lease or rental agreement. These may include:
· That it is your responsibility to keep the rental premises clean and sanitary and to pay for any damage caused if neglected.
· That you may be required to notify the landlord if you notice defective or dangerous conditions in the rental property.
· Also, your landlord will list restrictions on repairs and alterations, such painting walls without permission.

What will generally be in your lease? (Continued)

4. Rent. Your lease or rental agreement should specify the amount of rent and when it is due, how it is to be paid, such as in person or in the mail. This lease should also specify:
· acceptable payment methods (such as personal check only)
· whether late fees will be due if rent is not paid on time, the amount of the fee, and whether there's any grace period, and
· Penalties if a rent check bounces.