Suggested Questions for Landlords

Below is a helpful list of questions you should ask the landlord or property manager when considering a new apartment. You can also click here to learn more about what questions to ask before signing a lease.

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054-20 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR LANDLORDS • Do you take checks from all tenants in the apartment/house, or just one check from the group? • How much is the security deposit and what should I do to receive as much of my deposit back as possible? • What utilities are included in the rent? What is the estimated cost of the utilities that are not included in the rent? • Is free WiFi available? If not, what is the estimated cost? • How many parking spaces are available for the apartment and is there a monthly charge? Will I have to sign a parking contract for the duration of the lease? • If the last month of the lease is not a complete month, will the rent be prorated? • If there is not a washer/dryer in the unit, where is the laundry facility? If there is a laundry room, is it coin-operated or is there an electronic payment system? How many washers/dryers are in the laundry room? • Is there a maintenance person on call 24/7? What is the emergency phone number? • Is there any security in the building or in the area? How does security differ on weekdays and weekends, and during holidays/breaks? • Are there exterior lights and are they working? • When will I be expected to renew the lease? • For a house – who is responsible for exterior maintenance, such as grass cutting and snow removal? • Do all bedrooms have smoke detectors? Are they hard wired or battery operated? • Does the house/complex have a sprinkler system? Who pays for it? • Is subletting permitted? How much is the sublet fee? What is the subletting process? • If no one is in the apartment for the summer, can the utilities be turned off? • Where is the nearest bus stop or other public transportation? NOTES: ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________