Before you sign a rental agreement: questions to ask

This is general information to help you ask better questions. It is not legal advice. For anything important, have a lawyer read the agreement.

Most rental problems start with something that was agreed out loud and never written down. These are the questions to settle before you sign, with the reason each one matters.

Who am I renting from?

Make sure the person signing is the owner, or has the owner's written permission to let the property. If an agent is involved, ask who the agreement is actually with.

What exactly am I paying, and when?

• The monthly rent and the date it is due.
• Whether maintenance, water and electricity are included or billed separately.
• How the deposit is held and the conditions for returning it.

What happens if I want to leave, or the owner does?

• The notice period each side must give.
• Any lock-in period, and what it costs to leave early.
• The conditions under which the owner can ask you to vacate.

Who fixes what?

Ask who pays for repairs, painting and appliances, and how quickly the owner is expected to respond. Take dated photos of the property's condition on the day you move in.

Can the rent go up?

Check whether and when the rent can increase during the term, and by how much. If the agreement is silent, ask for it to be written down.

If you are still looking, start with apartments to rent, and use the rent affordability calculator to check a rent against your income before you commit.