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Before You Sign A Lease

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landlord giving keys to a tenant

1. Inspect the Property

  • Talk to current tenants and other people who know the neighborhood.
  • Drive by the neighborhood at night. 
  • Research crime statistics for the area.
    Lynchburg Police Department Cindy Kozerow, Crime Prevention Specialist  (434) 455-6145

2. Ask Questions, Negotiate, and Understand the Terms of the Lease

It is perfectly acceptable to ask the landlord about anything you don’t understand and also to negotiate the terms of the lease.  Make sure the lease protects your interests, not just the landlord’s. If changes are made, make sure they are included on all copies of the lease with all party’s signatures.

Every lease should clearly state:

  • Names of tenants and landlords
  • Address of rental unit
  • Rules and regulations
  • Amount of rent per month
  • Date rent is due
  • Security deposit details
  • Right of entry
  • Right ot sublease
  • Condition of unit 
  • Furniture provided and inventory
  • List of needed repairs
  • Responsibility for repairs

3. Consider Signing Separate Written Leases

When sharing an apartment, house, or room with others try to get separate written leases. Joint and oral leases are legal in Virginia but more often than not can prove to cause unwanted headaches. 

Keep a copy for yourself!

4. Subleasing Requires Written Consent of Landlord

Caution: If the person you find to sublease your dwelling fails to pay rent, it is ultimately YOUR responsibility.

Compare Common Leases

It is highly recommended to get your lease in writing!

  Lease For a Term
(Typically 6, 9, or 12 months)		 Month-to-Month
Rent can change each month. NO YES
You may have to move on short notice. NO YES
You can end the contract on short notice. NO YES

Consequences of Breaking Your Lease

Behind on paying rent beyond a given grace period?

5-Day Notice
A 5-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate is given to tenants who are behind on their rent beyond any applicable grace period.  This is an official warning to the tenant to pay the amount due, vacate the premises, or face eviction charges before an official complaint is filed in court.
How to avoid getting noticed? PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME!

Being too noisy? Hiding a pet? Messy garbage?

21/30 Notice
A 21/30 Notice is given to a tenant who has violated a non-rent related provision of the lease or the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act.  This notice gives the tenant 21 days to fix the problem, 30 days to vacate the premises, or face eviction.
How to avoid getting noticed? ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF YOUR LEASE!

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