Rental agreements are very important in resolving disputes. This is why verbal agreements are almost never used and instead everything is down on paper. Although you should try to avoid a dispute ever happening, it is sometimes unavoidable. This is why you should always scrutinize the document well before signing it. If you have any issues with any of the clauses, try to get them rectified or avoid signing the document and move on to another place; this will save you a huge headache in the future.
Things you should look out for on the agreement:
1. Rent amount, methods of payment and late payment charges. Another thing to keep an eye out for is how the rent will increase over time.
2. Rules on pets, smoking, loud music, parking etc. Basically anything that could affect or compromise your lifestyle. Consider it well before you sign the document.
3. Communication methods. The more there are, the better it is for you. You landlord should be contactable via different mediums (phone, email, mail etc.) and possibly by more than one point of contact (assistant, secretary etc.)
4. Eviction clauses. Late payments, being too loud, not mowing the lawn etc., can all be causes of eviction. This is a very, very important are to be looked at. Failure to know these things could have sitting on the street with all your stuff.
You should also know that rules regarding rent and tenants’ rights vary from state to state. So you should consult a lawyer and go through the document so that you can stay protected.