Lease: A lease is a binding legal contract between you and the landlord. The lease spells out all the terms in order to rent the apartment. It includes the amount due every month, the length of the contract, the use of the apartment, and fees or financial penalties. A lease is generated by the landlord once your application is approved for the apartment.

Before

1. Read the entire lease carefully.2. Look out for pet fees, subletting fees, breaking the lease fees, paying late penalties, etc.
2. Make sure that the lease states the correct amount for rent, and the correct length of time.
3. Check to see what utilities are included (generally heat and hot water are included).
4. Are there buildings rules-ex guest, painting, and noise rules

After

1. After signing a lease make sure you take photos of the apartment before you moved in. If anything is broken, tell your landlord- or they could try to blame you and take your security deposit.
2. Make sure everything works-check windows, door locks, appliances, and lights. Notify any issues with the management company (best to do before signing the lease).
3. Make sure you get a copy of the lease.
4. If you have roommates, make sure you write a ‘roommate contract’ and discuss paying of utilities, guest policy, who purchased what for the apartment, and sharing of goods (toilet paper, food, etc).