A first apartment comes with a surprising number of things nobody mentioned: what to look for in a lease, how a security deposit works, why photos on move-in day matter, and what to do when it’s time to leave. This one-page checklist covers all of it in six sections: before you sign, roommate talk, move-in day, the first month, every month, and before you leave. Print it, tick the boxes as you go, and keep it handy. The one habit that saves the most trouble: if it matters, get it in writing and keep a copy.
Related Reads
- How to Actually Read a Lease Before You Sign It
- What “Joint and Several Liability” Means for a Roommate Situation
- Co-Signing a Lease: What You’re Actually On the Hook For
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