Let’s say you’ve found the property of your dreams and you’re ready to sign the lease. Before moving on to this step, it’s crucial to be well-informed about your rights and responsibilities, as well as those of your landlord.
To prevent any complications, many tenants in Tierrasanta prefer to hire one of the property management companies to handle the process. Whether you choose to do things your own way or leave them to a professional, you need to know what to expect from the lease-signing process. Keep reading to learn more.
What to consider before signing a rental lease?
A lease can secure your new place for an entire year, so you don’t have to worry about moving again anytime soon. However, before you sign, it’s important to understand what your rights and obligations as a tenant are. This way you won’t come across any unpleasant surprises.
Here’s what you need to pay attention to:
Read your lease carefully
Once you’ve agreed to the terms, ask for a copy of the rental agreement in advance so that you can review it. Make sure you understand everything in it before you sign – don’t just take the landlord’s word for it.
If there are any provisions in the lease that you don’t like or don’t understand, do not sign until they’ve been changed or explained to you. You won’t be able to back out of an agreement without a great reason, which is why you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.
You may also want to consult an attorney or real estate professional to help you understand some of the more technical language in your rental agreement.
Check for damage
The last thing you want is to sign for a place that’s damaged, only to be held accountable for the damage when you leave. It’s essential that you do a thorough walk-through of the property before signing the lease.
Note any scuffs on the walls, scratches in the flooring, and other surfaces that are already damaged. If you find something before you move in, your landlord will have time to fix it before you arrive. Take pictures of the damage, even if it’s small.
What do you need to sign a lease for an apartment?
Even though you may be very keen to move into your new apartment right away, don’t rush through the paperwork. Property managers and landlords need to ensure that their tenants can pay the rent, and they also have a legal responsibility to protect themselves.
When you apply for an apartment rental, the landlord will ask you to submit an application form and a number of documents that will help them decide whether or not to approve your application. The most common documents required are:
Personal ID
You’ll need a government-issued ID. This could be a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or passport. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name you used in your application. If it doesn’t, bring a copy of your birth certificate or marriage license as well.
Proof of income
If you are employed, your landlord will want to see one month’s worth of paycheck stubs or bank statements showing direct deposit of each paycheck. If you own a business, bring copies of your tax returns from the past two years and recent financial statements.
Landlords need this to make sure that tenants can afford rent and won’t just run away when they can’t cover it. If you have other sources of income (like disability payments), bring copies of those as well.
Credit report
Landlords are looking for signs that you’re responsible with money, so they want to see your credit history. A credit score of 620 or higher is usually considered good enough to rent an apartment, though individual landlords’ standards can vary. If you’re worried about your score, you might want to ask a potential landlord what range they consider acceptable before applying.
Prior rental history
You’ll need the addresses of your previous landlords and their contact information so your potential new landlord can make sure you paid your rent on time, didn’t terminate the lease without good reason, and didn’t cause any damage or problems at other apartments. If you’ve lived with family or stayed in hotels or temporary rentals before, put that down too.
Where in Tierrasanta and the surrounding area can I find the best property management company?
If you want to leave all of this hard work to professionals and use your time for something you enjoy, Lofty Property Management is the company for you. We have a strong commitment to excellence, and we pride ourselves on our reputation for honesty and integrity.
Our experts are dedicated to providing prompt, efficient, and courteous service to our clients. We make it a priority to approach every client’s needs personally and with attention to detail. Whether you need us to help you rent your property in Tierrasanta or to find a suitable landlord, we’ll do our best to get it done efficiently.
Don’t settle for being a number at a big company. You deserve one-on-one attention which is why we are here, to make the process easy and enjoyable so you can look forward to your new home! Call us today and book an appointment with one of our friendly property managers.
