Understanding Rental Agreements: What Every Tenant Should Read Twice

A rental agreement is the single most important document in a tenancy, and it's also the one most people skim through fastest.

Pay close attention to the maintenance clause — does it specify who's responsible for what, and are there caps on cost-sharing for major repairs? Check the notice period required to end the tenancy on both sides, since a mismatch here is one of the most common sources of disputes.

Look for how the security deposit is handled: the amount, the conditions for deductions, and the timeline for returning it after move-out. If the agreement is vague on any of these, ask for it to be spelled out before signing, not after a disagreement.

Finally, get everything in writing — verbal promises about rent increases, included utilities, or furniture aren't enforceable if they're not in the actual document.