Touring an apartment is the fun part. Signing the lease is where things get real. A lot of renters focus on the unit itself—light, space, finishes—and skip questions that actually determine how livable and affordable the place is month after month.
You don’t have to grill anyone, but you should walk away understanding these basics clearly.
1. What’s the total monthly cost and what does it include?
Don’t stop at the base rent. Ask for a breakdown:
- Rent
- Required monthly fees (tech, trash, valet, amenities)
- Estimated utilities if they’re not included
You want the number you’ll actually see leaving your account each month, not the “starting from” price on the website.
2. Which utilities do I pay, and how are they billed?
Ask exactly which utilities are:
- Included in rent
- Billed directly in your name
- Allocated through the building (RUBS, flat fees, etc.)
If they use a ratio utility billing system (RUBS) instead of individual meters, you’re paying a share of the building’s total bill based on size or occupancy, not your exact usage.
3. How are rent increases handled?
You want to know:
- How often they usually raise rent
- If there’s a typical percentage
- Whether there’s a policy or if it’s case-by-case
Also ask what’s happened the last few years—sometimes they’ll tell you what increases looked like for similar units.
4. What are my options when the lease ends?
Ask if the lease:
- Converts to month-to-month
- Auto-renews at a set rate
- Requires a fresh renewal with new terms
Follow that up with, “What’s the current month-to-month rate for a unit like this?” so you’re not shocked later.
5. How can I pay rent, and are there any fees for it?
Some places charge extra for paying by card or through certain portals.
Ask:
- What payment methods are allowed?
- Are there processing or “convenience” fees?
- Is there a grace period for late payment and what’s the late fee?
6. How do maintenance requests work—and how fast are they handled?
Every landlord will say, “Just put in a ticket.” You want more detail:
- Is there an online portal or do you call/text?
- What’s considered an emergency?
- Typical response times for non-urgent issues?
It’s also fair to ask, “How do you handle HVAC or plumbing issues?”—the big comfort problems.
7. What’s your pest control policy?
Roaches, mice, bedbugs—none of that is fun to ask about, but it’s a lot less fun to live with. Ask:
- How often is preventative treatment done, if at all?
- Who pays if there’s an infestation?
- Have you had any recent pest problems in this building?
You’re not trying to embarrass anyone; you’re trying to avoid surprises.
8. Under what circumstances will you enter my unit?
Most leases spell out when management can enter without notice, like true emergencies. Still, it’s worth asking how they handle:
- Routine inspections
- Maintenance checks
- Showing the unit near move-out
You want to be sure they respect privacy laws and practical boundaries.
9. What’s your guest and roommate policy?
Some places have limits on long-term guests, parking for extra cars, or adding roommates later.
If you know you might have family visit for a week, or you’re considering a roommate down the road, get those rules clear now instead of arguing about them mid-lease.
10. What would keep me from getting my full deposit back?
Ask this directly and then compare their answer to what’s written in the lease and move-out guidelines. Common reasons: unpaid rent, large damage, excessive cleaning needs, or broken rules.
Their answer tells you a lot about how strict they are and whether they sound reasonable—or ready to nickel-and-dime every scuff.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
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