Don't sign a lease without asking these critical questions first. Getting clarity upfront prevents surprises later and protects you from potential issues. Here's your complete checklist.
💰 Costs & Fees
Questions About Money
- What's the total monthly rent?
- What utilities are included? (Water, sewer, garbage, electric, gas?)
- How much is the security deposit?
- Are there any move-in fees? (non-refundable?)
- Is parking included? If not, how much?
- What's the pet deposit/pet rent? (if applicable)
- How and when is rent paid? (Online? Check? Due date?)
- Is there a late fee? How much and when does it apply?
📋 Lease Terms
Questions About the Lease
- What's the lease term? (12 months? Month-to-month?)
- What happens at the end of the lease? Does it go month-to-month?
- How much notice is required to move out?
- Can I break the lease early? What are the penalties?
- Is subletting allowed?
- Can I add roommates during the lease?
- What's the rent increase policy at renewal?
🏠 The Apartment
Questions About the Unit
- What appliances are included?
- Is there in-unit laundry? If not, where is laundry?
- What type of heating system? (Electric? Gas? Heat pump?)
- Is there A/C? (Not common in older Seattle buildings)
- Is there storage space? Bike storage?
- What's the internet situation? (Providers? Included?)
- When was the unit last renovated/updated?
- Are there any known issues I should know about?
🔧 Maintenance & Management
Questions About Management
- How do I submit maintenance requests?
- What's the typical response time for repairs?
- Is there emergency maintenance? How do I contact them?
- Who is my point of contact? (On-site manager? Property management company?)
- Has there been any pest issues in the building?
- When was the building last inspected (RRIO)?
📜 Building Policies
Questions About Policies
- What's the pet policy? Any breed/weight restrictions?
- What's the guest policy?
- Is renters insurance required?
- What are the noise/quiet hours?
- Is smoking allowed? (Anywhere on property?)
- Can I make modifications? (Paint, shelves, etc.)
- How is package delivery handled?
📦 Move-In Process
- When is the exact move-in date and time?
- How do I get keys? Is there a key deposit?
- Will there be a move-in inspection/checklist?
- Is there a loading dock or elevator for moving?
- Are there any move-in restrictions? (Certain hours, elevator reservations?)
- What condition should I expect the unit to be in?
💵 Getting Your Deposit Back
- What's required to get my full deposit back?
- Is professional cleaning required at move-out?
- What's considered "normal wear and tear"?
- How long after move-out will I receive my deposit? (21 days by law)
Research the Building Too
Questions are important, but so is research. Check the building before you commit.
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