5 renting mistakes to avoid before signing a lease

The apartment-hunting process can be daunting, but don’t jump on a listing just to get it over with. Whether you’re renting a room, an apartment, or a whole house, it’s important to make your selection with care. This will help you avoid a situation where rent is due before you get paid each month, or a landlord that doesn’t respond to maintenance requests. You don’t want to be stuck in a lease you’re not satisfied with.

Jack Gross, broker and owner of Better Homes & Gardens Cassidon Realty, is sharing five factors future tenants should avoid when looking to rent an apartment or house. Before you sign your next lease — no matter how perfect the unit may seem — consider these details before you put a deposit down.

1. Unclear expectations

While some lease agreements may be quite lengthy, Gross warns tenants to avoid skipping the fine print that often contains important information.

“One of the largest areas where tenants make mistakes is in the fact that tenants don’t read their lease, and they don’t realize certain obligations that might be in there,” Gross says.

Common information found in an apartment lease includes rent cost, when rent is due, late fee costs, lease duration, pet restrictions, and other obligations agreed upon between the landlord and the tenant. When renting a house, a lease will also include expectations about maintenance. If they aren’t included in the lease, Gross suggests clarifying who will be shoveling snow, cutting the grass, and taking care of the house’s exterior. Ask your landlord to include these things in the lease — before you sign — so you have the expectations in writing.

“Before you sign [the lease], make sure you read it, and make sure you understand it,” Gross says. “And make sure you clarify any questions up front before signing the lease.”

2. Poor communication with your landlord

Another factor to consider when renting is the flow of communication with your landlord. Are they professional and easy to reach? Or is the landlord difficult to contact? Poor communication with a landlord is something all renters should avoid.

Gross advises if you are not satisfied with the communication with your landlord, you should follow up every contact in writing, whether that be email or text message. “If you’re not feeling like [your business] is being handled properly, keep it in writing,” Gross says.

3. A deal that’s too good to be true

Gross warns future tenants to be weary of deals that seem too perfect — especially because rental scams, where property owners fraudulently advertise low-rent properties, are more prevalent than ever.

“If the rent seems really too good to be true, it probably is,” he says. Because of the high rental scammer rates, Gross suggests always meeting the landlord and exchanging security deposit money face-to-face. Do not, under any circumstances, pay your security deposit over the phone or online, Gross warns.

4. DIY maintenance issues

While there are plenty of DIY projects that are renter-friendly, Gross says maintenance issues should always be left to the professionals. “Tenants should never take responsibility for doing repairs,” he says. “Those should be done by the owner and only the owner.”

Gross advises leaving maintenance to the owner in case a DIY project goes awry. For example, if a tenant tries to repair a leaky sink and accidentally causes further damage, they could be liable for the original cost of the item, plus the cost of the added damage. Leaving the heavy lifting to the landlord will ultimately save time and money for the tenant.

If your lease allows it, there is no problem with perking up your space through DIY projects, like adding peel-and-stick tile or creating a gallery wall — just make sure to leave the maintenance fixes to the landlord.

5. Settling for less

“Just because you’re renting, don’t think it’s not as important as when you’re buying,” Gross says. He recommends treating the apartment hunting process with the care and responsibility you would have if you were purchasing a house. While renting a property is temporary, Gross says it’s still important to do your due diligence before and after you sign the lease. Make sure to keep your options open and do extended research into the property.

If you’re looking into an apartment complex, Gross recommends talking to current tenants about their experience at the property and with the landlord. He also suggests viewing the property at different times to see what the community and surrounding area are like throughout the day and night.

Gross’ best advice? Don’t settle on what you want in a rental or lease agreement. If you are a pet owner, make sure pets are allowed. If you are looking for a year-long lease, don’t settle for month-to-month — which often comes with a higher rate. You’re investing in a lifestyle, and your living space will set the tone for your day-to-day life.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)