A lease is not the part people read after choosing where the couch will go.

It is the contract determining whether the couch—and its owner—can remain there.

Before signing, read every page. If something promised by the landlord is not written into the lease, ask for it in writing. Verbal assurances are charming until management changes.

Check the money, rules and exit

Confirm:

• total rent and due date;
• late fees and payment methods;
• security deposit and refund conditions;
• utilities included or separately billed;
• parking, pet and amenity fees;
• lease length and renewal terms;
• notice required before moving out;
• guest and subletting rules;
• maintenance reporting procedures;
• penalties for ending the lease early;
• whether roommates are jointly responsible for the entire rent.

Tour the exact unit when possible. Test locks, water, appliances, outlets, heating and cooling. Photograph existing damage with timestamps before moving in and send the record through a traceable method.

Research the landlord and address. Verify where payments go before transferring money. Never send a deposit for a property that cannot be independently confirmed.

Tenant screening also matters. The CFPB notes that many landlords use screening reports, and errors involving rental debt or eviction filings can affect approval and deposit requirements. Consumers have rights to review and dispute inaccurate information.

Local landlord-tenant law controls many details, so use an official state or local source—or legal aid—if a clause is unclear. Do not rely on a confident roommate who once watched half a legal drama.

The apartment may feel emotional.

The signature should remain wonderfully practical.

Research sources: CFPB, tenant screening reports and renter rights · HUD housing counseling resources