When I signed my first off-campus lease, I was so excited to start living on my own that I did not think much about the details. I skimmed through the contract, handed over my deposit, and just assumed that everything would work out on its own. Spoiler alert: it did not. At least, not right away like I thought it would.
Looking back, I wish I had slowed down and asked more questions. For instance, I did not understand that utilities were not included, which made my first utility bill quite a shock. I did not realize how expensive it would be. I also did not think to document my house’s condition before moving in. This meant I could not easily prove which damages already existed prior to me moving in when I wanted to move out.
My biggest advice to anyone looking to sign a lease is this: don’t rush. Take the lease home, read over every section, and ask for clarification if something does not make sense. This is where the OCLA would come in handy. OCLA has great resources that explain tenant rights and common lease terms. I wish I had used them sooner.
Now, before signing anything, I always double check who is responsible for what, what happens if someone moves out early, and is subletting allowed. It is such a small step that will save you a lot of stress in the long run. Living off-campus has been an amazing experience, but it is even better when you know exactly what you are signing up for.