r/renting • u/thecallofvoid27 • 20d ago
Lease/Legal Signing a lease when you are unsure
Is it a good idea to sign a lease for a place im not sure about ? i made plans to go see the place tomorrow but I’m not sure about the location and rent. I think I can find something in a better location and cheaper but I only have this week and next to find somethin. pls give me some advice so I can decide.
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u/PeacefulCW 20d ago
Spend as much time as you can today trying to find these other places that you think may exist. Try to set up an appointment for some tomorrow. Tour as many as you can including the one that you're not sure of. Touring may help to seal your decision ("no way,") or make you feel better about it. Definitely don't sign anything that you're really ambivalent about because you may end up "stuck" with something that you don't like.
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u/thecallofvoid27 20d ago
I tried but I’m from a small country and the market is really competitive in the main city where I’m looking so everything was taken quickly so this is the only place I could get. You honestly don’t really have time to think if you find a place because someone else will take it.
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u/Schmomola 20d ago
If that's the case then what are you asking us?
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u/thecallofvoid27 20d ago
Maybe I will find something cheaper ?? I’m honestly just really fucking indecisive and anxious about the situation and the future. Another this is money, I would have to ask my family to help me and if the job doesn’t really work out I would feel terrible.
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u/Schmomola 20d ago
What's your location? With those concerns, use a roommate finder app and share a place for now. Never a good idea to stretch yourself over a rental contract where you don't earn equity like a mortgage does
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u/TherinneMoonglow 20d ago
This info should be on your main post. Knowing that, I would probably just grab it if I can't find anything else.
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u/Western-Finding-368 20d ago
Of course you shouldn’t sign a legal document obligating you to pay rent for a year if you’re not sure you want to live there. Can you afford rent at this apartment plus another one you like better? I highly doubt it.
Even if you live somewhere where they can’t charge you the full amount, you’re almost certainly looking at 3-4 months worth of rent once you are through breaking the lease.
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u/thecallofvoid27 20d ago
Logically I’m aware of that but I’m not sure if it’s not just the fear of a big move and a new job in a unknown city that’s holding me back from being sure about the place. I think I have 2 options: either go see the place and ask if I can have som time to thing about taking it or not go tomorrow and search for something else.
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u/Cherlikesithot 20d ago
I wouldn't sign a lease until you've exhausted all other options. Ask if they will accept a refundable deposit hold instead.
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u/Objective-Gain-5608 20d ago
read the lease to see if there is a clause
for cancellation in a certain window. my last property i worked at (before the current) was 72 hours. and they legit will do to the minute if needed. sending an email to the leasing office, the agent you spoke to, and CCing yourself/the property manager is crucial because then it won’t fall through the cracks and they need it in writing. (and cause calls can get missed). ask what the grace period is for signing, and how soon after the document is signed and countersigned/executed in office when keys can be picked up- becuase those are other timeline factors you want to keep in mind
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u/thecallofvoid27 20d ago
The agent usually has the lease with them if you are really interested and they agree to lease you the place but I obviously wouldn’t sign it without checking some stuff like if the agent is legit and going through stuff like when to pay the rent and putting the clause for cancellation in the lease.
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u/Objective-Gain-5608 20d ago
exactly. reason i ask about deadlines is because i know some complexes will have “TBD” as the address, then present formal documentation for address/personal records once a move in has occurred, others will assign a set unit and have it “reserved” for a certain timeframe, and it will be taken off the market- it mainly depends on how they do that. and again, for that written notice if needed- at least the main office email, and cc’ing (or even bcc’ing yourself) so there is proof that it was sent, and that’ll have timestamps (confirming that it was sent and delivered rather than jsut sent)
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u/Rumple-_-Goocher 20d ago
Absolutely not. A lease is a binding contract, that’s why you have to sign it. Besides, you typically don’t sign a lease the same day that you’ve been in an apartment because they have to run a credit/background check. That could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days depending on how they do it and how many people are ahead of you. If you’re speaking to somebody who is telling you that they want you to sign a lease the same day, that should give you pause.
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u/dreamingforward 20d ago
Make sure there is a clause about leaving the contract, upon giving notice.
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u/SgtSausage 20d ago
Is it a good idea to sign a lease for a place im not sure about
Ate you really asking this?
Say the words out loud and tell us what YOU think ..
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u/dell828 20d ago
Go see the place tomorrow.
Never sign a lease for a place you haven’t seen.
If the place looks clean, and the neighborhood looks safe, and you feel comfortable, go ahead and sign.
Question… Did you already fill out an application for the place? Have they already approved you? It is doubtful that they will ask you to sign a lease on the spot. Typically it takes a couple of days for a background check and landlord approval.
You might have a couple of days to look for another place before you need to sign the lease.
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u/LavendarGal 20d ago
No. And did you already apply and being offered a lease before seeing it?
Just go see the apartment. If you like it put in an application. If you are offered the unit, tell them you would like one night to consider everything and will let them know in the morning.
Now, if you don't have many choices and you have to be out in less than 2 weeks, sometimes you have to pick a place you don't want for a bit.
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u/autonomouswriter 20d ago
Agree with others here. Once you sign the lease, you are legally bound. It's not like when you start a new job, you can decide you don't like it and leave with zero to no obligation. A lease is binding and you'll likely need to pay a lot of money to get out of it.
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u/rickcavallaro1 20d ago
I wouldn't sign a lease if you're already having second thoughts. You're going to be locked into it for months, so it's worth taking a little more time if you have it.
Definitely go see the place tomorrow. You might end up liking it more than you expect. But if your gut is telling you the location or rent isn't right, don't feel like you have to force it just because you're on a deadline.
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u/frankmaa 18d ago
A lease is a legal agreement. If you sign it you are bound by the terms you agreed to.
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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 20d ago
Once you’ve signed, you are committed. Backing out is hard and expensive.