Applying for housing and signing a lease
So you found a place you really like. First, you will have to fill out a rental application before the landlord agrees to sign a lease agreement with you. These applications ask for:
your past addresses
your employer
your driver’s license
social security number
the names and phone numbers of a few people who are your personal references.
The landlord may charge you an application fee. A background check may be included which gives the landlord permission to check your credit history and background. It is important to know your rights before you fill out a housing application or sign a lease.
Before You agree to a lease…
THINK OF YOUR FIRST VISIT AS AN INSPECTION
Explore and inspect the apartment with the landlord with you to address any concerns. It’s important that your new home meets all of your criteria for function, safety, and comfort.
DOCUMENT ANY EXISTING DAMAGE PRIOR TO MOVING IN
Make sure to document any pre-existing damage before signing a lease. If there is anything that the landlord did not agree to fix from your initial visit inspection such as stained carpeting, broken blinds or missing tiles in the shower, make sure this damage is documented in your lease as pre-existing. You don’t want to be accused of and charged for this damage later.
MAKE SURE THE LEASE IS IN WRITING
It is best that your lease is in writing so that the terms of the agreement are clearly defined. If the landlord tells you they will do something but does not include it in the written lease, then there is no way to enforce the promise.
For more information on leases and your rights as a tenant, check out the links below:
Signing a lease
Your rental agreement or lease is a written agreement between you (the tenant) and a landlord that explains the details of the use and occupancy of the property. A lease has to be in writing if the rental period is more than 1 year.
Lease options include:
Fixed Leases - A written agreement between you and your landlord for a set amount of time. Fixed leases most commonly last 1 year. Curious about what you might find on a fixed lease? Click here.
Month to month- a verbal or written agreement between you and your landlord with no set end date to the lease. You are responsible for the agreed upon rental cost each month, however month to month leases do not lock in your rental cost. This means that from one month to the next, your landlord can raise your rent as long as they give you a 30 day notice of any changes. In Illinois, you or the landlord are also free to terminate your month to month agreement with a 30 day notice. Curious about what you might find on a month to month lease? Click here.
Sublet- Subletting allows you to take over the lease of someone who has to leave their rental before the term of their lease is up. This term could be for the remainder of the lease, or for a portion of the lease. If you sublet, you will be called the subtenant in the lease and sublet addendum that you will be required to sign. Sometimes if you sublet through the remainder of the lease, the landlord may give the option of signing a fixed lease as the primary tenant for the next year. For more information on subletting click here!