You've searched online, toured numerous apartments, and finally narrowed it down to a few top contenders. At this point in your apartment search, you’ve probably already asked the general questions, but once you consider signing a lease, these questions should become more specific. Whether you’re curious about subleasing policies or maintenance requests, now is the time to learn everything you can about the apartment before signing your name on the dotted line.
In this article, we’ll cover 20 important questions to ask your leasing agent or landlord before signing a lease, such as:
- Questions about rent, added fees, and utilities
- Questions about the lease
- Questions about repairs, safety, and access
- Questions about day-to-day living
Questions to Ask About Rent, Fees, and Utilities
Your rent, fee, and utility payments will likely make up most of your monthly housing expenses, so it’s important to understand how much you’ll be paying at the end of the month. Understanding the total monthly price of renting your apartment can help you budget more accurately and choose a rental that fits this budget.
How do I pay rent, and how are late fees assessed?
These days, nearly every apartment community has at least one electronic option for paying rent. Take Apartments.com, for example. Our renters can use Apple Pay or Google Pay to make monthly rent payments. These digital wallet options allow for punctual payments with better security, enhanced user experience, and streamlined expense tracking through digital payment trails.
If it makes more sense for you to pay the old-fashioned way, make sure you understand your landlord’s grace period and late fee policy. Ask your landlord if there are any late fees so you can decide which payment method is better for you.
What fees do I pay besides rent?
The total monthly price of your apartment includes the monthly rent and any other additional monthly fees, like utilities or community amenity charges. Here are some other costs you should budget for before signing a lease and moving into a new apartment:
- Security deposit
- Application fee
- Administrative fee
- Utilities
- Pet fee, deposit, or rent
- Internet
- Trash
- Community amenities and services
- Renters insurance
- Pest control
Apartments.com found that on average, monthly fees add $65 to a renter’s monthly rent payment. Understanding what expenses you need to budget for will help keep you financially aware and protected.
Which utilities are included in rent, and what does the rest cost?
Before you can budget for an apartment, you must know what exactly is covered in your rent. In some cases, landlords or apartment communities will group utilities with your monthly rent. This usually means less spending for you, as you won’t have to worry about utility deposits, transfer fees, or extensive increases based on usage. However, if utilities are separate, you’ll need to pay the upfront costs of setting them up and anticipate any potential spikes in usage.
If utilities are included in your rent, ask your landlord what it covers, like water, sewer, trash, gas, electricity, internet, or other expenses.
What is the policy on rent increases?
Rent increases are a reality of renting an apartment. Before signing a lease, ask your landlord or property manager about their policies up front. While most landlords will notify you before increasing rent, that doesn’t mean they’ll include this information in the lease agreement. Ask about what factors influence rent increases and if there are limits on how much they can increase it.
What can cause me to lose my security deposit?
While you’ll most likely get your security deposit back, there are a few ways you could lose it. Ask your landlord or property manager about their guidelines for property care. With their expectations in mind, you can minimize wear and tear in your apartment and increase your chances of getting your deposit back in full at the end of your lease.
Questions to Ask About the Lease
The type of lease you sign is just as important as the information included in the document. Some apartment communities offer different lease options depending on your situation, like longer or shorter lease lengths or joint leases if you are renting with a roommate. Before signing, make sure to ask your landlord these questions about the document.
What lease lengths do you offer?
Before signing a lease, ask your landlord what lease lengths they offer and are available for the unit you’re interested in. Lease lengths can range anywhere from a couple months to years depending on what the apartment community offers. Your monthly rent can change depending on the lease length, so ask how different lease terms may impact the rental rate before signing.
What are my options for lease renewal?
If you anticipate staying in your apartment for the long haul, make sure to ask about lease renewal. Though you might not have to renew for another year or so, you should be aware of your options when the time comes. Maybe the landlord plans to vacate the property for renovations, or perhaps they want to sell it altogether. Make sure to know what’s in store for your rental and how it may affect your lease renewal down the road.
How far in advance do I need to give notice before moving out?
Whether you anticipate re-signing at the end of you lease term or moving elsewhere, ask your landlord about their non-renewal notice policy. Usually, landlords will require a non-renewal notice at least 30 to 60 days before the end of your lease. Knowing this ahead of time will help you plan accordingly and avoid any potential penalties.
Can I sublet the apartment, and if not, what is the penalty for breaking my lease?
If you need to move out before your lease is up, it’s important to know your options so you don’t break your lease and incur heavy fines. Ideally, you’d sublease your unit to a new tenant who will take your place for the remainder of your lease. However, some landlords or property managers may not allow this, so it’s crucial to ask about their policy up front.
Is renters insurance required?
Whether it’s required or not, every renter should have renters insurance to protect themselves from events out of their control. Be sure to ask your landlord if there is a minimum coverage requirement or if there’s a third-party insurance company they prefer tenants to use.
Questions to Ask About Repairs, Safety, and Access
After you understand your lease and how much you expect to pay every month, it’s time to learn how your apartment community handles maintenance and repairs. From submitting maintenance requests to apartment safety, make sure to ask your landlord these questions so you can feel more prepared before moving.
How do maintenance requests and emergency repairs work?
Maintenance procedures will vary from rental to rental. Some apartments might require you to submit maintenance requests through an online portal, while others might prefer direct phone calls or emails. The important thing for you to understand is how to submit maintenance requests and how quickly they’ll be addressed.
Emergency repairs can function differently. Ask your landlord or property manager if they have an on call maintenance team or emergency hotline. Also ask if the property will reimburse you for necessary repairs done by a third-party if an emergency contact is not available.
Does this apartment have any pest problems?
If your building is older, pet-friendly, or located near a body of water, it’s a good idea to ask about pest issues. Ask your landlord if rodents, bed bugs, fleas, roaches, and other pests have ever been a problem in the past and what pest preventive methods are used to treat them. Pest control is usually covered in your monthly rent payment, but if you need additional pest control beyond the routine service, find out who will be responsible for payment.
Are the locks changed between tenants?
Locks and keys should always be changed between tenants. Your landlord should give you a key to your apartment and mailbox, if applicable, when you move in. Some apartment communities will charge tenants for a new room key if they lose theirs, so always keep your key in a place you know you can find it.
Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice?
While you may not own the apartment, that doesn't mean your landlord or property manager should be able to enter your home any time they please. Most lease agreements will outline protocols for apartment inspections, including how often they’ll take place throughout the lease and what they will entail. However, you should still clarify whether there are any circumstances where your landlord or property manager might arrive unannounced. You can then cross-check these policies with your state laws to ensure they align.
Questions to Ask About Day-to-Day Living
After you understand your monthly rent payment, lease terms, and apartment community protocols, you can ask about specific apartment rules and regulations. Whether you’re curious about guest policies or community quiet hours, make sure to ask your landlord these questions before deciding to sign a lease.
Where will I park my car?
Understanding your apartment’s parking situation is important. Ask your landlord or property manager the following questions about parking:
- Is parking included in rent?
- Is there a monthly parking fee?
- Are spaces first-come first-served or assigned?
- Is the parking garage covered?
- Is there a designated guest parking area?
- What are the rules for street parking?
Ask about alternative parking options if your landlord or property manager lists street parking as the primary option. Street parking can be tough to find, especially in a busy city or on the weekends.
What is the pet policy?
If you plan to live with a furry, four-legged roommate, make sure to ask about pet policies. Ask about any fees associated with having a pet, like pet rent, pet deposits, and/or pet fees, as well as restrictions pertaining to breeds, species, and number of pets allowed.
What is the community’s guest policy?
If you anticipate having overnight guests, ask your apartment manager or landlord about their guest policy. Most communities have policies against guests staying longer than a certain specified time that is usually outlined in the lease agreement. Any guest staying overnight longer than the time allowed on your lease could force your guest to be considered a long-term guest, which may be a lease violation.
Are there any noise restrictions or quiet hours?
If you work from home or are extra sensitive to loud noises, consider asking about community quiet hours. Most apartments have noise restrictions that minimize the risk of loud neighbors and other disturbances. Find out what these specific rules are and how noise complaints are handled to ensure a quiet, undisturbed living environment.
Can I make changes to the apartment, and will there be costs involved?
Putting your own personal touch on an apartment may seem harmless, but it can sometimes cost you. Whether painting the walls or hanging pictures, it’s important to ask permission before making major changes to the space. While some landlords or property managers won’t mind, others might enforce a fee or keep your security deposit for customizations.
Are there any renovations or constructions planned?
As a tenant, you should always be aware of any upcoming construction or projects that affect your unit. However, some landlords or properties won’t disclose these projects unless you ask. Before signing a lease, ask your landlord if they’re planning to renovate any part of the apartment community soon. This can be important for two reasons:
- If improvements are being made, you may have to deal with noise disturbances from construction.
- Updates could add to the amenities, enjoyment, and appeal of your apartment.
Find an Apartment on Apartments.com
If you’re looking for an apartment that fits your budget, needs, and lifestyle, start your search on Apartments.com. On Apartments.com, you can search for available apartments in your area using advanced search filters, to ensure that you find a rental that checks all your boxes.
This article was originally published on September 23, 2019, by Jake Margle and has been updated.
FAQs
What should I ask a leasing agent before renting an apartment?
Before you sign a lease, you should ask your leasing agent or property manager about the total monthly cost, what lease lengths are available, how maintenance requests work, how much notice should you need to give before moving out, and what the pet, guest, and parking policies are.
What questions should I ask before moving into an apartment?
Before moving into an apartment, you should ask about the move-in date and logistics, how and when you get your keys, and if you can document the unit upon move-in for your records and ensure you don’t get charged for damages upon moving out.
How do I prepare for an apartment tour?
To prepare for an apartment tour, create a list of things to ask before moving into an apartment. This should include questions about the building’s pet policy, parking procedures, subleasing rules, and more. Ask these questions throughout the tour and take notes when needed. If there are some questions the touring agent can’t answer, ask the property manager or landlord after your tour is over.
What are important questions to ask when renting an apartment for the first time?
Some important questions to ask when renting an apartment for the first time include asking about security deposit policies, lease renewal options, and if there are any noise restrictions or quiet hours. You should also inquire about utility costs, rental insurance requirements, and pet policies.
Who can answer my questions about renting?
A leasing agent, property manager, or landlord should be able to address your questions. Since leasing agents typically work for the landlord or management company, it's best to direct manager-specific inquiries to the property manager or landlord directly. Be sure to get clear answers to all your questions before signing the lease agreement.
Should I get answers to my questions in writing?
Email your questions to potential landlords or property managers to maintain a clear digital record. This ensures you have documented answers should any discrepancies arise. Even if your questions are addressed in person during an apartment tour, it’s wise to follow up with an email. This allows the landlord or leasing agent to provide a written summary of their responses for your reference.
