Lease red-flag checker
Add your lease. We'll mark the clauses worth questioning.
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The lease lands at 9pm. Fourteen pages. They'd like it back by tomorrow.
You skim. It seems fine. Everyone signs these.
Page 11 says the repairs are your problem now.
Most people never read page 11. Whoever wrote it knew that. You find out the day the heat goes out.
Let us read the fine print, so you can sign knowing what's in it.
Eight kinds of trouble
Deposit3 checks
Deposits that never come back.
Entry & Privacy1 check
The landlord walking in unannounced.
Fees & Penalties4 checks
Late fees and penalties that bite.
Repairs & Habitability2 checks
You fixing what they should.
Liability1 check
Them being liable for nothing.
Ending the lease2 checks
Hard exits and sneaky renewals.
Your legal rights6 checks
Signing away your day in court.
Rent2 checks
Rent that moves mid-lease.
Before you sign
- 1
Ask to cross it out
Strike the clause, both of you initial it. It's normal.
- 2
Get changes in writing
A promise over the phone isn't part of the lease.
- 3
Know what won't hold
Some clauses can't be enforced, even if you sign.
See what a fair lease looks like where you live: Fair lease standard →
Good to know
Can a landlord put anything in a lease?+
No. Some clauses don't hold up no matter what, like waiving your right to a livable home.
Should I sign a lease with a bad clause?+
Try to get it removed first. Ask in writing. Many are negotiable, and some won't hold even if signed.
Is this a lawyer?+
No. It spots well-known red flags in plain English. For a high-stakes lease, talk to a tenant group or attorney.
Is my lease uploaded?+
No. PDFs and text are processed on your device and never uploaded or saved.