What to Look for When Signing a Lease

Before you sign a lease, here are some "Do's and Don'ts" to consider:

Do:

Read it. Understand the lease before you sign and make sure it states the following information:
 

Names and addresses

• your name (and those of your roommates, if you have them, with a place for each of you to sign)
• the name, address and telephone number of the landlord or building manager
• a description of the unit, house (or portion of the house) and a description of access to any adjoining areas (a balcony, porch or yard, for example)
   

Rent and lease terms

• the monthly rent and its due date
• the dates the lease begins and ends
• lease renewal rules
• subletting rules (this is important if you must sign a 12-month lease and want to sublet after the school year ends)
• rules for raising the rent (you can confirm these with your provincial rental board, tribunal or agency)
   

Deposit details

• what deposits are being made
• when, and under what conditions, a deposit will be returned and how much interest you will be paid
• (do your homework - confirm with your provincial rental board, tribunal or agency)
   

What the rent covers

• what utilities are included in the rent
• what appliances are included in the rent
• what specific parking space is included with the rent (ask to see it beforehand)
• the cost of parking if it isn't included in the rent
   

Maintenance and repairs

• your responsibilities for maintenance and conduct
• dates for promised repairs and improvements
• how and when you can terminate the lease and how much notice is required
• when the landlord or manager can enter your apartment (for repairs, for example) and with how much notice
• landlord's responsibility for maintenance and pest control
   

Other considerations

• whether you can add locks (especially if the locks are not deadbolts) if keys are provided to the landlord
• permission for any pets
• conditions for painting, hanging pictures and other decoration.
• Finally, be sure to keep a copy of your lease.