Before you sign a lease, look over it carefully, and seriously consider having a lawyer look over it with you. There are a couple low or no-cost options for students who would like a lawyer to look at their lease before signing:
Both are within walking distance of each other–ASMSU is located in the Student Services Building, and the Rental Housing Clinic is located across Grand River next to Chipotle. If you choose not to use either, AT LEAST READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE LEASE YOURSELF!
Some things that definitely should be included in your lease are:
- Name and signature of the landlord
- Name and signature of the tenant
- Rent amount to be paid, how frequently, and when and where it is to be paid
- Address of the rental property
- Starting and ending dates if it is a fixed term tenancy
- Landlord’s mailing address
- Amount of the security deposit, if any
- Name and address of the financial institution holding the security deposit
- Notice of the tenant’s obligation to provide a forwarding address to the landlord within 4 days of terminating the tenancy
- Who is responsible for paying utilities
- Repair and maintenance responsibilities
- Eviction procedures
- Any other terms and conditions that the landlord and tenant agreed to; AND
- This statement must be provided in a prominent place in the lease, in at least a 12 pt. font size