Risks of Not Reading Your Residential Lease

When you find the perfect rental housing for you and your family, chances are you are simply excited to sign on the dotted line and start moving in. You might assume that if you’ve seen one residential lease, you’ve seen them all, and many people simply sign without much of a glance at the terms of the agreement. However, each lease is different, and you should be sure you are agreeing to the specific terms of this particular lease before you sign. It is often wise to have an Encino landlord/tenant attorney review the lease for you.

If you fail to read a lease, many issues can arise, including:

• You inadvertently violate one or more terms of the lease (such as a provision preventing subleasing), and your landlord seeks to terminate the lease
• You agree to unenforceable terms, such as a non-refundable security deposit
• You agree to unreasonable right-of-entry provisions, which allow the landlord to enter your unit
• The landlord does not have the necessary obligations set out in the contract

Even if certain lease terms are unenforceable, you might need to engage in a legal battle if your landlord tries to enforce them. Or you might find yourself facing the threat of eviction for conduct you thought was permissible.

On the other hand, landlords should always tailor their leases to each unit and situation. Do not assume that using the same boilerplate terms will protect your interests as a landlord in each unique situation. Instead, seek counsel regarding how to best adjust your lease given new circumstances.

Speak with an Encino Landlord/Tenant Lawyer

At Urbach Law Office, PC, we represent both landlords and tenants in lease negotiations and legal disputes arising from lease violations. Contact us online or call 888.212.9071 before you sign a lease to ensure you are protecting your interests.