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Questions to ask a landlord before signing a lease

October 10, 2026 · First Apartment Kit

Signing your first lease can feel like a test you did not study for. The good news: you are allowed to ask questions. A fair landlord or leasing office expects them. The answers help you compare places, budget honestly, and avoid surprises in month three.

You do not need to ask all of these out loud. Pick the ones that matter for this place, ask by email or text when you can, and keep the replies. Written answers are easier to remember — and easier to point to later.

Money: what you pay, and when

Rent is only one line. Ask for the full picture before you say yes.

• What is the total due at signing? (First month, deposit, fees — add it up.)
• How much is the security deposit, and what is it used for at move-out?
• Are there application, admin, pet, parking, or amenity fees? Are any of them monthly?
• When is rent due, how do I pay it, and is there a grace period before a late fee?
• How much is the late fee?
• Has rent gone up at renewal in the past few years, and by roughly how much?

Write the move-in total and the true monthly cost side by side. A place with lower rent but three monthly fees can cost more than the one down the street.

Utilities and the everyday bills

• Which utilities are included in rent, and which do I set up myself?
• About how much do electric and gas usually run in this unit, summer and winter?
• Is heat gas, electric, or included? Is there central air or window units?
• Which internet providers serve the building?
• Is renters insurance required? If so, what minimum coverage?

Once you know which accounts are yours, our guide to utilities to set up before you move in walks through the timing so the lights are on day one.

Repairs and maintenance

This is the part of renting you will feel most. Ask how it actually works, not just what the lease says.

• How do I request a repair — app, email, phone, or a form?
• Who handles repairs: the landlord, a property manager, or a company?
• What counts as an emergency, and what number do I call at night or on weekends?
• How long do normal repairs usually take?
• Will you give notice before entering the unit, and how much?
• Is anything being fixed or replaced before I move in? Can that be written down?

If you can, ask a current tenant how fast repairs happen. One honest sentence from a neighbor can tell you more than the listing.

The lease itself

• How long is the lease, and what are the exact start and end dates?
• What happens at the end — renew, go month-to-month, or move out?
• How much notice do I need to give if I am not renewing?
• Is there a fee or process to break the lease early if my job or life changes?
• Can I sublet or add a roommate later?
• Can I get a copy of the full lease to read before I sign?

That last one matters. Ask for the lease a day or two ahead so you can read it slowly, at home, without someone waiting on you. If a line is confusing, ask what it means and get the answer in writing.

Living there: rules and day-to-day

• What is the pet policy, including size, breed, and fees?
• Is there assigned parking or guest parking? Any towing rules?
• Where does trash and recycling go, and what day is pickup?
• Is there laundry in the unit, in the building, or nearby?
• Can I paint, hang pictures, or mount a TV?
• Are there quiet hours or rules about guests staying over?
• How are packages delivered and stored?

Move-in and move-out

• When can I pick up keys, and is there a move-in time window or elevator booking?
• Will we do a walk-through together? Is there a move-in condition form?
• What condition do you expect the unit in at move-out?
• How and when is the deposit returned?

On move-in day, take dated photos of every room before your boxes land — walls, floors, appliances, and anything already scuffed. Our first week with the keys guide has a simple order for that.

Small signals worth noticing

How a landlord answers is information too. Clear, patient answers and a willingness to put things in writing are good signs. Pressure to sign today, cash-only deposits, no written lease, or not being allowed to see the actual unit are reasons to slow down. A rental you never saw in person, from someone who cannot show it, is a common scam setup — walk away.

Printable checklist: before you sign

Print this or copy it into your notes. Check each one off when you have the answer in writing.

• ☐ Total due at signing
• ☐ Deposit amount + return process
• ☐ All fees, one-time and monthly
• ☐ Rent due date, payment method, late fee
• ☐ Utilities: included vs. mine
• ☐ Average utility cost
• ☐ Renters insurance requirement
• ☐ How to request repairs
• ☐ Emergency contact number
• ☐ Entry notice policy
• ☐ Lease dates + renewal terms
• ☐ Notice to move out
• ☐ Early-break and sublet rules
• ☐ Pets, parking, guests, quiet hours
• ☐ Trash, laundry, packages
• ☐ Move-in walk-through scheduled
• ☐ Read the full lease at home
• ☐ Promised fixes written down

You will not get a perfect apartment. You can get one where nothing important is a surprise. A few questions now save a lot of stress later.

Not legal advice. Tenant rules vary — check your state and local rules, or ask a local tenant resource or qualified professional when something is unclear.