10 Lease Clauses That Should Be Red Flags

A lease is a contract you'll live inside for a year or more. Some clauses are simply landlord-friendly; others are unfair or even unenforceable. Here are ten worth catching before you sign.

1. "As-is" / waiving habitability

Landlords can't make you waive the right to a safe, livable home, no matter what an "as-is" clause says.

2. Rent acceleration

A clause making all remaining rent for the whole term due at once if you default is a severe — and often unenforceable — penalty.

3. Entry without notice

Most states require advance notice before a landlord enters. "Any time, without notice" usually isn't valid.

4. Non-refundable deposit

A real security deposit must be returnable. "Non-refundable" is often a fee in disguise.

5. Confession of judgment

This lets a landlord get a court judgment against you with no notice or hearing. It's banned in many states — a major red flag.

6. Waiving a jury trial

Giving up your right to sue or to a jury tilts every future dispute toward the landlord.

7. You pay all repairs

Shifting every repair — including structural and plumbing — onto the tenant is usually unenforceable.

8. One-way attorney's fees

You pay their lawyers, but not vice versa. Many states make these clauses work both ways automatically.

9. Automatic renewal traps

Auto-renewal with a long notice window can lock you into another full term if you forget to opt out.

10. Joint and several liability

With roommates, this means each of you can be held responsible for 100% of the rent — not just your share.

You don't have to memorize these — paste your lease into the checker and it flags them for you.