Understand your lease and do not sign it unless you are comfortable that you will be able to abide by the rules.
Know what you are allowed to put on your balcony.
Know where you can park your bike.
Know the hours of the amenities (laundry, pool, workout area, etc.)
Know whether rent will be pro-rated if moving in on a date that is not the 1st of the month.
Know when rent is due and where and how to pay it.
Ask if your apartment will be professionally cleaned before you move in.
Ask if they will they deduct money from your security deposit for the unit to be professionally cleaned when you move out?
Ask if you are allowed to sublet if you need to get out of your lease? If so, know the process around who chooses the new roommate.
Know the rules around pets and pet deposits/fees.
Know what appliances and amenities are included. California landlords are not required to provide an air conditioner or other appliances. If it is mentioned in the lease, advertised or in the unit when you arrive, the landlord is required to repair it or replace it unless it was damaged by the tenant.
Know what your responsibilities are as a tenant. All landlords are required by the City of Davis to provide the tenant with their rights and responsibilities before tenancy begins.
Understand who pays for utilities and what you are required to pay for.
Know what items fall under utilities: water, sewer, electric, gas, trash, and recycling all can fall under utilities. Know what you are paying for.
Know how utilities are divided up between roommates.
Is it a shared meter with other tenants that you do not know? If so, how is the bill split (per person or per unit)?If it is divided up by unit and one unit has 6 people and your unit has 2 people is this OK with you?
Are you paying for heating and cooling of common areas or just your unit?
Understand how to communicate with the landlord/property.
Is there a 24 hour number or email in case of emergencies?
For non-emergencies is it better to call, email or talk in person? If you talk on the phone or in person always follow up with an email confirming the conversion.
Find out the process to request repairs.
Be polite and use non-emotional language when requesting assistance. It is OK to set boundaries with dates that work must be completed if the landlord has not been responsive and you have been checking in with him/her to see what progress has been made. Let the landlord know what you are prepared to do if the deadline is not met. Be prepared to take action rather than making threats.
