Signing a Lease

Knowing your rights as a renter is very important. It is vital for a renter to read their lease and ensure they understand it. Each apartment community or landlord has unique terms of an agreement and it is your responsibility to know and understand the terms.

Most apartments will have an application fee before you sign the lease. This fee will allow the landlord to run a background check on you to see if you have a criminal history in the U.S., or to check your credit, before agreeing to rent their unit to you.

Leases are legal contracts which will obligate you to pay your rent for a specified amount of time to the property owner or property management company. Leases are often long documents, but it is still important to thoroughly read the lease before you sign it. Read it carefully and keep a copy for yourself as a reference in the future. The lease will outline important parts of your agreement, such as when rent is due each month, rules regarding pets or parking, cleanliness of the apartment, etc. You should ask the landlord or property manager any questions you have before you sign the lease. Make sure you understand what obligations the agreement gives you.

Breaking a lease can be difficult if you decide you no longer wish to live at your apartment before the lease term is over. Make sure you understand what will be required if you do need to break your lease, as some lease have clauses specifying this.

Know your rights as a tenant! Review some of the resources below to familiarize yourself with what is allowed (and not allowed) in Colorado in terms of what a landlord can do, and what you can do as a tenant.


Lease Signing Tips

  • Don't rush. Give yourself enough time so that you won't make a decision out of desperation. If you're desperate, you'll overlook minor things and feel pressured into signing a lease.
  • Find out about extra costs. Often utilities such as water, trash, and electricity are not covered in your base rent costs. Ask what is included and what is not, including parking and any other hidden fees.
  • Read the fine print. This is another reason not to rush. Looking over the details takes time, but choosing a place to live is a big decision. Much of the fine print will be boring legalese, but some details are extremely important such as how much it costs to break your lease.
  • Get everything in writing. Sometimes the lease isn’t detailed enough, which could spell trouble if expectations aren't discussed and spelled out beforehand.
  • Ask if your landlord or manager lives nearby. Ideally, at least someone who works with the landlord or manager lives nearby. It can be helpful to have someone close by to be available if something goes wrong or if repairs are needed.
  • Find out about the lease termination policies. Some leases automatically renew, while others require residents to notify the property manager of their intent to either renew their lease or move. Some leases also require residents to provide a certain amount of notice if they plan to vacate after their initial lease has expired. Failure to comply could result in a fee.
  • After you’ve signed the lease, check your apartment for pre-existing damage on move-in day. Before bringing in your belongings, look for scratched floors, walls or appliances. If you notice any damage, take pictures and ask the property manager to put it in writing. Otherwise, you could be charged for the damage or lose your security deposit when you move out.