What to Look for in a Lease—Before You Sign Anything

Use this checklist before signing a lease. Print it. Mark it up. Bring it with you. If any answer is unclear, get it in writing before you commit.

💸 Rent, Fees & Move-In Terms

• What day is rent due?

• Is there a grace period? How many days?

• What are the late fees? Are they flat or daily?

• How much is the security deposit? What does it cover?

• When will the deposit be returned? (It must be within 21 days under CA law.)

• Are there any non-refundable fees (cleaning, application, admin)?

• What’s the total move-in cost?

🛠 Repairs, Responsibilities & Entry

• Who fixes what? Are you responsible for “minor repairs”?

• How does the lease define “minor”?

• Does the landlord need to give 24 hours’ written notice before entering?

• Can they “inspect” at any time without notice?

🏃‍♀️ Breaking the Lease & Moving Out

• What happens if you need to leave early?

• Is there a buyout or penalty fee?

• How much notice do you need to give to end the lease?

💡 Utilities & Shared Costs

• Which utilities are you responsible for? (Electric, water, trash, gas, etc.)

• How are shared utilities calculated if it’s a multi-unit building?

• Does the lease include vague language like “tenant pays a fair share”?

🚩 Red Flags

• Does the lease include an arbitration clause? (This may limit your right to sue.)

• Is there an “as-is” clause that tries to avoid repair responsibilities?

• Does it mention inspections or access without specifying 24-hour notice?

• Are there rules about noise or behavior that could be used unfairly?

• Are there visitor limits that might affect therapists, case workers, or family?

👩‍👧‍👦 Special Concerns for Neurodivergent Families

• Can you modify the unit (e.g., gates, air filters, soft lighting) if needed?

• Can support staff (therapists, aides) visit your child?

• Does the landlord know you may need reasonable accommodations under Fair Housing law?

• Do you have a letter from your doctor, case manager, or Regional Center to support this?

📝 Before You Sign:

• Did you get all verbal promises in writing?

• Did you read every clause, or ask someone to explain it?

• Did you save a copy (digital and printed)?

• Did you check local laws or call a tenant rights group with questions?

☎️ Need Help?

• Housing Rights Center – (800) 477-5977

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) – lafla.org

• Your Regional Center caseworker or ILS provider