Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease

• Confirm all costs, rental policies and maintenance responsibilities before signing a lease.
• Military renters should review early termination terms and understand their protections under the SCRA.
• Get verbal promises in writing and keep a signed copy of your lease.

Finding the right place is the hard part. Before you sign, knowing what to look for in a lease agreement matters just as much as knowing the questions to ask your landlord along the way.

Before you sign a lease, taking the time to review the lease agreement carefully can save you from costly surprises, especially during a PCS when timelines are tight and you may be signing without seeing the property in person.

Use this guide to walk through every area worth reviewing before you sign a lease, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms of renting a property. It defines what both parties are agreeing to, how much rent is owed, when it is due, how long the tenancy lasts, and what rules apply while you live there. Once signed, both you and the landlord are bound by its terms, which is why reviewing every section carefully before you sign matters more than most renters realize.

Before you sign, read every section carefully and ask questions about anything that isn’t clear. Most landlords who work with military renters are used to going over these details, so don’t skip this step just because you’re in a hurry or signing remotely.

A well-written lease spells out every fee, deposit, and due date upfront so there are no surprises at move-in or move-out. Here are the cost and fee questions worth getting answered before you sign.

Ask for a written breakdown of everything due upfront: security deposit, first and last month’s rent, and any application or administrative fees. If you’re on PCS orders, dislocation allowance may offset some of these costs, so having everything itemized makes it easier to work with your S-1 or finance office.

The lease should clearly specify what the monthly rent covers: utilities, trash, parking, storage, and amenities. Knowing the true all-in cost makes it easier to compare against your BAH and budget accurately from day one.

Confirm the exact due date, any grace period, and how late fees are calculated. BAH timing and back pay can occasionally affect when funds land, so knowing the grace period upfront is useful.

Confirm how normal wear and tear is defined, the timeline for the deposit return after move-out, and the conditions under which the landlord can make deductions. Also verify whether ending the lease under PCS orders affects the deposit.

Most leases today require renters insurance. Confirm the minimum coverage amount and whether you need to list the landlord as an additional insured. Your policy covers your belongings, and the landlord’s policy covers the building.

Once costs are clear, reviewing the rules that shape daily life gives you a complete picture of what you’re agreeing to.

If you have pets, confirm deposits, monthly pet rent, breed or weight restrictions, and limits on the number or type of animals. Ask how service animals are handled and what documentation is required. For more on renting with pets, including how to negotiate pet terms, see our guide.

Confirm how much advance notice is required for non-emergency entry and whether any exceptions apply. Most states require 24 to 48 hours’ notice.

Ask whether subletting is permitted, how to add a roommate, and whether all adults living in the unit need to be listed on the lease. Useful to know before an extended TDY or deployment changes your situation.

Check quiet hours, guest stay limits, and any rules regarding gatherings. Military schedules often don’t follow standard hours, so knowing these expectations upfront keeps things straightforward.

Knowing who handles maintenance and how to request repairs can help you avoid unexpected costs and delays. Before you sign, ask about your responsibilities and how the landlord handles routine and emergency issues.

Confirm whether tenants are responsible for lawn care or exterior maintenance, who handles pest control, and which appliances the landlord covers.

Confirm the process that the landlord uses, whether it be through an online portal, email, or phone, and whether any timelines are stated for non-emergency repairs. Ask how to reach someone outside business hours and whether any service fees apply.

These clauses define your rights for the entire lease term and are worth understanding before you sign.

These clauses are worth a close read because they define some of the most important terms of your tenancy. Before you sign, make sure you understand what each one covers:

• Habitability: The minimum standards the home must meet and how quickly the landlord must address issues
• Entry rights: How much notice your landlord must give before coming in
• Rent escalation: How and when your rent can increase
• Auto-renewal: The notice period required when your lease is coming to an end

If you’re on active duty, a military clause is essential. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gives you the right to terminate a lease early when you receive qualifying PCS or deployment orders for 90 days or longer. You provide written notice and a copy of your orders, and the lease ends 30 days after the next rent due date. Confirm that the lease covers PCS moves, deployments, and base closures, and that no penalties exist beyond what the SCRA permits.

More lease terms are negotiable than most renters expect. Move-in date, minor repairs before move-in, and pet fees are all worth asking about. If a landlord makes a promise verbally, ask to have it included as a written addendum, since it protects both the tenant and the landlord.

Before you put pen to paper, confirm:

• All occupants aged 18 and older are listed with names matching their IDs
• Move-in date is confirmed and matches what was agreed to
• No blank fields remain in the contract. Common fields to check would be rent amount, late fees, and notice period
• You will receive a fully executed, signed copy for your records
• For homes built before 1978, a lead paint disclosure is included
• For any property with signs of moisture, a mold history has been disclosed

Most landlords who work with military renters understand these questions and are used to answering them. The goal is simply to start your lease with everything clear and working in your favor.

When you’re ready to find a place, search verified military housing listings on AHRN and connect with landlords who know how to work with service members and their families.