While most leases can be the same, they can also be quite different from one another. Therefore, you should make a point to read the lease thoroughly so that you know what you are getting into.

Most apartment leases follow state and/or local laws that govern the resident's rights as well as the landlord's rights. The laws that the leases have to follow include limit on security deposit, eviction process and the consequences for breaking a lease.

Apartment leases may vary slightly, but there are few things that should be part of every lease. If you are about to sign a new lease for an apartment that you are going to rent, you should look for the following things that should be part of the lease before you sign it.

• Names: The lease should mention the name of the person renting the apartment. If the person is someone other than you, and he or she is over 18, you should make sure the person's name is on the lease. If the damage the apartment, they will be held responsible and liable, and not you.
• Address: The lease should mention the exact address of the apartment. The last thing you want is signing for one apartment and then getting another one instead. So, if the address is not mentioned, point it out and ask the landlord, apartment manager or rental agency to include it.
• Rent: The rent should also be mentioned as this will do away with any misunderstanding later on. Neither the landlord nor you should be confused later on as to what you should be paying for the apartment each month.
• Date: The lease should have the start date and end date of your rental agreement. It should also include what will happen after the lease expires, the cost of utilities or shared expenses, what the fees will be for paying rent late and what penalty you will face if you break the lease. This will give you an idea when your rent is due each month and what constitutes as late payment of the rent.

Besides all the above, the lease should detail the community's policies on parking, subletting, repairs, visitors and pets. Just make sure that you read all the pages and only then initial or sign each page. If you are being rushed into signing without being given sufficient time to read the lease, you should inform the concerned person politely that you would first like to read everything and then only sign.