Before you sign a rental contract, make sure you read the entire document. That’s the only way you’ll know what your responsibilities are as a tenant. This article discusses three of the most common issues many renters face should they neglect to read the entire contract and understand its contents.

Don’t dismiss the significance of signing a rental contract. As soon as you affix your signature to the contract, you can be held accountable for all the responsibilities specified in it, whether or not you took the time to read the contract. Unfortunately, too many apartment renters today don’t bother to read the rental contract at all. They usually skip to the page that specifies how much they need to pay each month. If the amount is satisfactory, they simply sign the contract without reading the rest of the contents. The problem with this is that the agreement may contain information the renter should know and understand before making any commitment.

During the rental period, many inconvenient issues may arise simply because of the renter’s failure to read and understand the contract prior to moving in. Here are some of the most common issues:

1. Getting a Roommate

If you’re renting a two-bedroom apartment, you might find it safe to assume that getting a roommate isn’t going to be a problem for your landlord. After all, there’s available space and you’ll benefit from it because you can split the rent with your roommate. However, your contract may prevent you from having other people move in when you’ve already signed the lease. You can avoid this inconvenience by deciding early, before you even choose an apartment, whether or not you want a roommate. If you do, you can mention this to your would-be landlord so he can make the necessary adjustments or provisions in the contract to accommodate an additional renter.

2. Getting a Pet

Many landlords prefer not to have animals inside their building. If you have a pet or are planning to get one soon, you should check the rental contract and see if pets are allowed. Sometimes, rental contracts even specify what types of pets are allowed and which are not. For instance, large breed dogs may not be allowed but small toy breeds might be fine. Other landlords may specifically prohibit all animals with fur but allow you to bring fish or birds.

3. Having Frequent Visitors

Regular visitors are usually no problem but if they come at strange hours or are noisy enough to bother the neighbors, this may be in violation of certain contract items. Also, visitors who stay overnight may be considered as renters. Most rental contracts will specifically state how many people are allowed to stay in the apartment at any given time, especially overnight, so make sure you know the limit before inviting your friends over for a slumber party.

Violating any part of a rental contract may result in severe penalties or even eviction. Your landlord may decide not to sue or evict you, but you’ll have to contend with displeased neighbors. In order to stay on the good side of both your neighbors and your landlord, as well as to avoid any inconveniences in the future, it’s best to read and understand the rental contract thoroughly before signing your name.

Author Bio: Bruno is blogging about pomeranian and Mops (pug dogs) at Hundefeber.no.

Category: Advice
Keywords: Finances,Advice