Lease Genius | Off Campus Engagement and Support

Become a Lease Genius

A lease is a binding legal contract between you (the tenant or lessee) and the landlord (lessor). You are given the possession of an apartment that is owned by the landlord and, therefore, there are rules as to what you must do and not do. A typical lease states the terms of the rental agreement and is legally enforceable. Most landlords use the Standard Boston Lease with an addendum.

What’s Included in Your Lease

Required Information	Addendum Rules	Considerations
Date of lease	Pets	Maintenance issues
Landlord/property manager contact information	Apartment delivery “as-is” clause	Fees and non-refundable terms
Name of all tenants	AirBnB restriction	Pest extermination
Address and unit # of the lease property	Fees for repair due to negligence	Included utilities (heat, electricity, water)
Dates of contract (start and end)	Additional addendums (lead, mold, etc.)	Apartment condition statement
Term of contract (fixed term or tenant-at-will)	Required written notice before moving out	Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Rent amount (total and monthly installments due)	Trash and recycling guidelines	Get oral agreements between you and your landlord in writing
Date rent is due	Legal notice fees (14 day, etc.)	Your landlord has a legal obligation to respond to tenant concerns in a timely manner
Maintenance contact information	Guest policy	Your lease does not protect against theft of or damage to your belongings
Space for lessee(s) and lessor to sign	Smoking regulation
	Early termination
	Extreme cleaning fees
	Renter’s insurance
	Subletting requirements
	Noise and quiet hours

Ready to Sign?

Once you have seen the apartment, been approved, and reviewed the lease, you are almost done.

Here are your final steps before you sign.

Get verbal promises in writing! It may feel awkward to ask for verbal promises (from your landlord, realtor, broker, etc.) to be put in writing, but it will protect you and ensure that everything you are agreeing to is legally binding.
Ask any remaining questions! Never sign a lease to which you do not agree! You can walk away from a lease before you sign it, however, you may lose any non-refundable fees. Here are some examples of questions to ask before you sign.
- Are sublets likely to be approved?
- What is the process for subletting?
- What time is move in? Move out?
- What is the best way to contact maintenance for an emergency (no heat, water leak, etc)?

One final check! Use our Lease Genius Checklist to review your own lease. Make sure your lease isn’t missing any information and you know the important addenda items.
Want a second opinion about a clause or rule? After reviewing your lease, fill out the Lease Review form with specific questions for our team! We will provide some insight within 24-48 hours.

After You Sign!

Get a copy of your lease. A landlord is legally required to provide you with one copy of your lease (hard copy or electronic) for free.
Obtain receipts for all deposits and payments made to the realtor.
Make a moving plan well in advance of the first day of your lease. Here’s what to expect on September 1st and general moving tips to get started.