Signing your lease

Signing your lease is an important step to housing in the US. Your lease is an important document that lets you know definitively that you have a place to stay. It also outlines your responsibility as well as your landlords.

You may need to ask someone to co-sign a lease with you. You can read all about that here: Cosigner guidelines

Before you sign a lease make sure to:

• Do a proper walkthrough

The Apartment Walkthrough: Things to Watch Out for Before You Move in

• Ensure it is in your name if you plan to get a driver’s license!

How International Students Can Apply for a US Driving License?

• Ask an American friend to help you understand some of the lease terms.

• Clarify about parking your own as well as visitors’ vehicles in the apartment complex. Make sure

you understand exactly what is required and if you need parking stickers, DO NOT park your

vehicle without them.

• Change stickers immediately if you purchase a new car

• Understand towing enforcement laws for your apartment complex and wherever else you park

Consumer Information about Towing

• Understand what your landlord should fix in your apartment! Landlord/ Tenant Law