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Before You Rent or Sign a Lease--Tips for Renters
by: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (New Orleans office)
Q.	Now you can hear a recording of this LawHelp item! Click here to listen to a recording of all of the questions and answers. When you are done, click the "X" in the upper right-hand corner to get back to LawHelp. What should I do before renting an apartment or house?

A.	Check the apartment or house very carefully. When you are shown the place, test these things out: Make sure that the electric, gas and water services are all on and working. Turn on any lights, fans, and other electric fixtures that come with the place to make sure they work. Make sure the plumbing works: flush the toilets, turn on the water in the sinks, bathtubs and showers and make sure the water drains and does not leak all over the floor. If the apartment comes with a stove, refrigerator or other appliances, make sure they work. Turn on the heat and the air conditioning and make sure these systems work. Make sure the windows have screens. Make sure the doors and windows are not broken and lock properly. Make sure the windows open. Check out the bathroom and kitchen for leaks, insects, rats, other pests, or signs of them. Check walls and ceilings for water stains or signs of leaks. Look for mold growth. Ask other tenants whether they are happy with the building and the apartments they are renting there. Check the neighborhood during the day and at night. Will you feel safe there? Find out who pays for utilities like electricity, gas and water. If you must pay these bills, ask if your apartment has separate meters for any utilities you pay for. Ask about parking for tenants.

Q.	What if the apartment needs repairs?

A.	It is very difficult to get a bad landlord to make repairs after you have moved in. You may want to look for another apartment. If you still want the apartment, you should: Make a list of problems and defects in the apartment. Try to get the landlord to sign your list. Take pictures of defects or needed repairs when you move in. These actions will help protect you when it is time to move out. If something is important to you, get it in writing. Don't count on your landlord just saying that he will make repairs (oral or verbal promise). If the apartment needs repairs ask the landlord to sign an agreement that he will make the repairs.

Q.	What if the landlord asks me to sign a lease?

A.	Read the lease carefully before you sign. Ask about anything you don't understand. Before you sign, be sure you understand who must pay for repairs. Make sure the lease describes any repairs that the landlord has promised to make. If there is a chance that you may need to move before the end of the lease, ask for language in the lease that lets you get out of the lease before the end of the lease (an early termination clause).

Q.	Must the landlord tell me if the apartment has lead-based paint?

A.	Yes, in many cases. Federal law requires that most landlords who rent apartments built before 1978 tell you about lead-based paint and paint hazards in the home and make available reports on lead present in the home.

Q.	What kind of records should I keep?

A.	Get something to keep your records in. Keep these things in your file: Your lease or rental agreement. Security deposit receipt. List of things wrong with apartment. Rent receipts or canceled checks. Landlord's address and phone number.


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	Last Reviewed On: 10/08/10

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This web site has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this web site is not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific facts of each situation. Some information in this web site may not be correct for where you are. The information in this web site is not guaranteed to be up-to-date. The information in this web site cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state.

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