How To Evaluate a Lease Agreement DC

1. Term of lease. How long do you plan on staying at the apartment? You and the landlord should set start and end dates for the lease. Typically leases last one year, although sometimes tenants and landlords will agree on a "Tenancy At Will," meaning the tenant can choose to stay month by month, usually with the provision that he/she will give sixty or ninety days notice.
   
   
2. Rent and taxes. Make sure it is stipulated in the lease that your rent cannot go up during the duration of lease if the landlord's taxes go up. The amount you agreed upon per month should remain consistent. Know when rent is due and what, if any, penalty there is for tardiness.
   
   
3. Smoking or non-smoking. Be sure to clarify with you landlord the policy on smoking, both for you and guests. If it is a non-smoking building your landlord will likely put this in the lease. If this is the case be sure to respect his/her wishes, as you could be held responsible for damage caused by smoke and potentially any fire-related issues that develop.
   


4. Pets. If your new landlord said it was okay for you to bring your cat with you, make sure this is added in the lease. Usually there is a paragraph in the lease concerning pets where this can be inserted. If there is not, make sure it is added in an addendum so that you are protected. Usually a landlord will reserve the right to remove the animal (and you) if the pet becomes destructive to the property.
   
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Author: Grace Bloodwell