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Leases & Fees

**Before you sign, make an appointment to have the Renter Center read it over.
Leases 90s style 

Common Illegal Lease Items

Taking the deposit before the lease is over: The deposit is for use AFTER the lease is complete.  The landlord can not take it to use it as a fee.  For example, the landlord can not say "If there is a party in this house, the deposit will be taken and you will owe another deposit." 

The landlord has the right to terminate with a 30 days notice, but the lease is for longer than month-to-month:  If the lease is month-to-month, either party has the right to terminate with a 30 days notice.  If not, the landlord must follow the procedures and qualifications for eviction.  S/he can not simply make up his own rule to kick you out with 30 days notice, yet you don't have the same right!  

If the owner sells the home before your lease term has expired, you still have a right to fulfill your lease time.  The current or the new landlord can not simply kick you out.  You both signed a contract and that will stick!  Foreclosures, however, can be tricky.  Make an appointment to speak with us if that is the case.

Changes to the lease:  It will be nearly impossible to get the landlord to change the lease you both have signed.  BUT before you sign, you can talk about the possibility of making a change.  Even if the lease is typed, you can cross things out and hand-write items in...it just has to be BEFORE you both sign.

Intent to lease:  Watch out for these!  The landlord may ask you to put down the deposit before the dwelling is actually ready to be rented.  He may, then, promise (only verbally) that the place will be ready by a certain date.  You sign the "Intent to Lease", give a deposit, and don't realize there is no end date written.  When the place isn't ready when they specified, you try to get your money back but the landlord shows you the copy of the agreement you signed.  If this happens, make an appointment with the Renter Center!  

Pet Depostis:  These are meant to be used for pet-related damages and cleaning.

Lease Checklist

Fees


Basically, a landlord can not impose fees you have not agreed to

If something is called a "Deposit", it is treated as on the lease.  

 a deposit and is not to be used until the end of the lease.  




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Disclaimer:  The information found at The Off-Campus Renter Center are not that of an attorney.  Please contact ASUM Legal Services (if a student) or your attorney for legal advice.  The information found here is intended for educational purposes only and should be used for ones own pursuit of mitigating disputes.