Legal Advice for the Tenant Before You Rent

When renting a new apartment, understanding the lease and one's rights as a tenant can be hard. In some cases, legal advice may be needed although for many situations it can be obtained for free from various advice sources. Some individuals, however, may be better off contacting a tenant attorney before signing a lease.

Before renting it is helpful to understand the legal situation you are entering into. In most cases this does not mean going to the expense of calling a lawyer (although if there is a dispute or a difficult situation, professional legal advice is desirable).

The best source of information is generally the local government. Most have websites that explain tenants' rights and some may have a legal advice hotline that can be useful. As tenant law varies from state to state and sometimes county to county, new advice should be sought if you are moving across state lines. Third party web sites may also have legal advice, but they vary in quality.

The lease you are asked to sign may be a simple document, or it may be lengthy and complex. It should be checked for discriminatory clauses or for ones which would make your life unnecessarily difficult. For example, checking whether pets are allowed is a good idea even if you do not have one. You have a right to equal housing so leases should not contain clauses that affect you based off of sex or race.

If you are not sure about anything in the lease, are worried that you may be being discriminated against or simply find it hard to read, you might want to seek the advice of a tenant attorney. Signing a bad lease can be a very expensive mistake, especially as many landlords demand large separation fees, often the equivalent of two or even three months' rent. Also, if you are in an unusual situation, such as a disabled person who may need special mobility equipment, a tenant attorney can help negotiate such things with the landlord. Always be sure to contact an attorney who specializes in tenant law.