What we verified in “Your lease explained: what to check before you sign”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, as a renter you have local, state and federal rights, and your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and in state or local laws.

   Sources 1 · Your tenant and debt collection rights (last modified February 20, 2026): 'As a renter, you have local, state and federal rights'; 'Your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and state or local laws' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. USAGov says that before getting outside help you should read your lease carefully and make sure you are following the rental rules you agreed to; your state agency that addresses tenant rights may link to your state tenant rights handbook.

   Sources 3 · How to file a complaint against a landlord (last updated April 15, 2026): 'Before getting outside help, read your lease carefully'; 'Make sure you are following the rental rules you agreed to'; 'Find help from your state agency that addresses tenant rights'; 'your state tenant rights handbook' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The CFPB's tool says to read your lease or rental agreement to understand what is and is not covered in your monthly payment; water, sewer, garbage/recycling, internet, television and phone service are generally not included; renters do not pay for most regular maintenance and repair costs; and lower credit scores may mean higher security deposits or rejected applications.

   Sources 2 · Buying or renting a home (Your Money, Your Goals tool), prompts 2 and 4: 'Read your lease or rental agreement to ensure you understand what is and is not covered in your monthly payment'; 'water, sewer, garbage/recycling, internet, television, or phone service are generally not included'; 'you also won't pay for most regular maintenance and repair costs'; 'lower credit scores may mean higher security deposits or rejected applications' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the CFPB, rent can increase; prior notice is required, but the amount of time for that notice varies by state and local laws; and renters may face financial penalties for moving out before the end of the lease term or for causing damage to the property.

   Sources 2 · Buying or renting a home, prompts 1 and 13: 'Rent, however, can increase'; 'the amount of time required for this notice varies by state and local laws'; 'you may experience financial penalties for moving if you vacate the rental before the term of the lease or cause any damage to the property' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. The CFPB explains that some rentals allow pets, but the type and number are generally limited and an additional deposit is often required; and that the Fair Housing Act, which covers most housing, requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including service and emotional support animals.

   Sources 2 · Buying or renting a home, prompts 10 and 12: 'Some rentals allow pets, but the type and number are generally limited, and an additional financial deposit is often required'; 'covers most housing, requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities'; 'service and emotional support animals' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the CFPB, your landlord cannot force you out by changing your locks without a court order, demand fees, interest or other charges you did not agree to or that state or local law prohibits, refuse to make necessary repairs, fail to pay for utilities under their control, or endanger the health and safety of tenants.

   Sources 1 · Your tenant and debt collection rights, 'Report a bad landlord': 'Force you out by changing your locks without a court order'; 'Demand fees, interest, or other charges that you did not agree to, or that are prohibited by state or local law'; 'Refuse to make necessary repairs'; 'Fail to pay for utilities under their control'; 'Endanger the health and safety of tenants' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. The CFPB explains that landlords generally cannot sexually harass you, refuse to rent to you, evict you, or change or set different rules for your rental agreement because of your race, color, national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex, familial status (pregnancy and families with children) or disability; if you or your landlord receive federal financial assistance for housing, you are also protected from discrimination based on age.

   Sources 1 · Your tenant and debt collection rights, 'Report housing discrimination': 'Sexually harass you'; 'Change or set different rules for your rental agreement'; 'national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex, familial status (pregnancy and families with children), or disability'; 'you are also protected from housing discrimination based on age' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. USAGov (Spanish edition) says that if you live in a property managed by HUD, you can contact HUD's Multifamily Housing Complaint Line or call 1-800-685-8470 (press 5 for Spanish).

   Sources 4 · Cómo poner una queja contra un arrendador (USAGov en Español): 'Si vive en una propiedad administrada por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano'; 'Línea de Quejas sobre Viviendas Multifamiliares'; '1-800-685-8470 (presione 5 para español)' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. In California, the owner of a rental dwelling, or whoever signs the lease on the owner's behalf, must state in the lease the name, telephone number and address of the person or entity to whom rent is paid, and give the tenant a copy of the lease within 15 days after the tenant signs it; after that, once each calendar year, they must provide another copy on request.

   Sources 13 · California Civil Code §1962: 'Disclose therein the name, telephone number, and address of the person or entity to whom rent payments shall be made'; 'Provide a copy of the rental agreement or lease to the tenant within 15 days of its execution by the tenant'; 'Once each calendar year thereafter, upon request by the tenant' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. In California, a person in business who negotiates primarily in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese or Korean, orally or in writing, a residential lease for a period longer than one month must deliver, before signing, a translation in that language that includes every term and condition; tenancy rules incorporated by reference are not part of the contract for this purpose; the rule does not apply if the tenant negotiates through their own interpreter (an adult fluent in both languages who is not employed by or provided through the business); the English-language contract determines the parties' rights; if the rule is not followed, the person aggrieved may rescind the contract; and any waiver of this protection is void.

    Sources 12 · California Civil Code §1632: 'negotiates primarily in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean, orally or in writing'; 'before the execution thereof, a translation of the contract or agreement in the language in which the contract or agreement was negotiated, that includes a translation of every term and condition'; 'for a period of longer than one month, covering a dwelling, an apartment, or mobilehome'; 'rules and regulations governing a tenancy and inventories of furnishings'; 'who is not a minor and who is able to speak fluently and read with full understanding both the English language'; 'The terms of the contract or agreement that is executed in the English language shall determine the rights and obligations of the parties'; 'the person aggrieved may rescind the contract or agreement'; 'Any waiver of a provision of this section is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the EPA, the federal disclosure rule applies to most pre-1978 private housing, public housing, federally owned housing and housing receiving federal assistance; before a renter signs a lease, landlords and property managers must give the renter the pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home' (available in multiple languages), disclose any known information about lead-based paint and its hazards, provide all available records and reports, and provide a Lead Warning Statement in the same language as the rest of the contract; the rule does not apply, among other cases, to zero-bedroom units or housing specifically for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless a child under six lives or is expected to live there), to leases of 100 days or less with no renewal possible, or to housing a certified inspector has found to be lead-based paint free.

    Sources 5 · Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead Hazards: 'This requirement applies to most pre-1978 private housing, public housing, federally owned housing, and housing receiving federal assistance'; 'before prospective renters and homebuyers sign a lease or contract'; 'Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home'; 'It is available in multiple languages'; 'Disclose any known information about the presence of lead-based paint'; 'Provide all available records and reports'; 'This should be in the same language as the rest of the contract'; 'Zero-bedroom units'; 'unless a child under the age of six lives or is expected to live in such housing'; 'Leases for 100 days or less'; 'Housing specifically for the elderly or persons with disabilities'; 'found to be lead-based paint free' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. By federal regulation, each lease of housing covered by the rule must include, as an attachment or within the lease and in the language of the lease (for example, English or Spanish), a Lead Warning Statement saying that housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, that lead from paint, paint chips and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly, and that lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women; the landlord's statement about known lead-based paint; a list of records or reports provided; the tenant's statement affirming receipt of that information and the pamphlet; and dated signatures.

    Sources 6 · 40 CFR §745.113(b), Lessor requirements: 'Each contract to lease target housing shall include, as an attachment or within the contract, the following elements, in the language of the contract (e.g., English, Spanish)'; 'Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint'; 'Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly'; 'Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women'; 'A statement by the lessee affirming receipt of the information'; 'The signatures of the lessors, agents, and lessees' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. The EPA explains that renters can ask their landlord or property manager to get a paint inspection from a certified inspector before signing a lease, but the rule does not require it; anyone who did not receive the disclosure when renting pre-1978 housing can report it at epa.gov/lead/violation.

    Sources 5 · Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead Hazards: 'Renters can ask their landlord or property manager to get a paint inspection from a certified inspector before signing a lease'; 'landlords and property managers are not required to do so by this Disclosure Rule'; 'report this information to: epa.gov/lead/violation' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of the rental of a dwelling because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin, or because of disability, and to publish any notice, statement or advertisement about the rental of a dwelling that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination on those grounds.

    Sources 7 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(b), (c) and (f)(2): 'To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling'; 'because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin'; 'any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under the Fair Housing Act, discrimination also includes refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when they may be necessary to give a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, or refusing to permit, at that person's expense, reasonable modifications of the premises.

    Sources 7 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(f)(3)(A) and (B): 'a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling'; 'a refusal to permit, at the expense of the handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. The Fair Housing Act does not limit the applicability of reasonable local, state or federal restrictions on the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling.

    Sources 8 · 42 U.S.C. §3607(b)(1): 'Nothing in this subchapter limits the applicability of any reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. An aggrieved person may file a complaint with HUD no later than one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or ended.

    Sources 9 · 42 U.S.C. §3610(a)(1)(A)(i): 'not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. In public housing, federal regulation bars leases between a public housing agency and a tenant from including clauses such as: consenting in advance to a lawsuit and a judgment for the landlord (confession of judgment); letting the landlord take and hold the tenant's property as a pledge (distraint); releasing the landlord from liability for its acts or omissions (exculpatory clauses); waiving legal notice before an eviction or money judgment; allowing eviction or the sale of the tenant's possessions without notice or a court decision; waiving a jury trial or the right to appeal; and making the tenant pay legal costs regardless of the outcome.

    Sources 11 · 24 CFR §966.6, Prohibited lease provisions: 'Lease clauses of the nature described below shall not be included in new leases between a PHA and a tenant'; 'Confession of judgment'; 'Distraint for rent or other charges'; 'Exculpatory clauses'; 'Waiver of legal notice by tenant prior to actions for eviction or money judgments'; 'Waiver of legal proceedings'; 'Waiver of jury trial'; 'Waiver of right to appeal judicial error'; 'Tenant chargeable with cost of legal actions regardless of outcome' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. In public housing, the tenant agrees not to assign the lease or sublease the unit; the housing agency and the tenant must inspect the unit before move-in, and the agency gives the tenant a written statement of the condition of the unit and its equipment, signed by both; a written statement of the purpose of entry delivered to the unit at least two days before is reasonable advance notice to enter; and the agency may enter without notice when there is reasonable cause to believe an emergency exists.

    Sources 10 · 24 CFR §966.4(f)(1), (i) and (j): 'Not to assign the lease or to sublease the dwelling unit'; 'obligated to inspect the dwelling unit prior to commencement of occupancy by the tenant'; 'a written statement of the condition of the dwelling unit, and the equipment provided with the unit'; 'The statement shall be signed by the PHA and the tenant'; 'A written statement specifying the purpose of the PHA entry delivered to the dwelling unit at least two days before such entry shall be considered reasonable advance notification'; 'without advance notification when there is reasonable cause to believe that an emergency exists' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The New York Attorney General's tenant guide says a lease is a contract between a landlord and a tenant containing the terms and conditions of the rental, which cannot be changed while it is in effect unless both parties agree; that leases for apartments that are not rent stabilized may be oral or written, and a written agreement helps avoid disputes; that at a minimum a lease should identify the premises, the names and addresses of the parties, the amount and due dates of the rent, the duration, the conditions of occupancy and the rights and obligations of both parties; that any changes should be initialed by both parties; and that leases must use words with common and everyday meanings and be clear.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Leases' and 'Lease Provisions' sections: 'A lease is a contract between a landlord and a tenant that contains the terms and conditions of the rental'; 'It cannot be changed while it is in effect unless both parties agree'; 'Leases for apartments that are not rent stabilized may be oral or written'; 'To avoid disputes, the parties may wish to enter into a written agreement'; 'leases should identify the premises, specify the names and addresses of the parties, the amount and due dates of the rent, the duration of the rental, the conditions of occupancy, and the rights and obligations of both parties'; 'Any changes to the lease should be initialed by both parties'; 'Leases must use words with common and everyday meanings and must be clear and coherent' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. According to the New York Attorney General, renters in non-regulated housing who have no lease and pay monthly are 'month-to-month' tenants; tenants who stay past the end of a lease become month-to-month tenants if the landlord accepts a rent payment; either party may end that tenancy; outside New York City the tenant must give one month's notice; the landlord's notice does not automatically allow an eviction; and the landlord may raise a month-to-month tenant's rent with the tenant's consent, and if the tenant does not consent, may end the tenancy with proper notice.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Month-to-Month Tenants' section: 'Non-rent regulated renters who do not have leases and pay rent on a monthly basis are called “month-to-month” tenants'; 'Tenants who stay past the end of a lease are treated as month-to-month tenants if the landlord accepts a rent payment'; 'A month-to-month tenancy may be terminated by either party'; 'Outside of New York City, the tenant must give one month’s notice to terminate the lease'; 'Such notice does not automatically allow the landlord to evict the tenant'; 'A landlord may raise the rent of a month-to-month tenant with the consent of the tenant' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. According to the New York Attorney General, for non-regulated apartments the landlord does not have to renew the lease; if the lease has an automatic renewal clause, the landlord must notify you of it between 15 and 30 days before the date you must tell the landlord you will not renew; and if the landlord will not renew, or will renew with a rent increase of more than 5%, they must give written notice of 90 days if you have lived there two years or more or have a two-year lease, 60 days if more than one year but less than two, and 30 days if less than one year or your lease is shorter than a year.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Non-Rent Regulated Lease Renewals' section: 'For non-rent regulated apartments, the landlord does not have to renew the lease'; 'A lease may contain an automatic renewal clause'; 'between 15 and 30 days before the tenant is required to notify the landlord of an intention not to renew the lease'; 'with a rent increase of more than 5%, or does not intend to renew the lease, they must provide advanced written notice'; 'your landlord must provide you with 90 days advanced written notice'; 'your landlord must provide you with 60 days advanced notice'; 'your landlord must provide you with 30 days advanced notice' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. According to the New York Attorney General, a rent payment can only be considered late if it is received more than five days after it is due, and the most a landlord can charge as a late fee is $50 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is less.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Late Fees' section: 'A rent payment can only be considered late if it is received more than five days after it is due'; 'The most your landlord can charge as a late fee is $50 or 5% of your monthly rent, whichever is less' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. According to the New York Attorney General, landlords must give a written receipt when rent is paid by cash, money order, cashier's check or any form other than the tenant's personal check; tenants paying by personal check may request a receipt in writing, and after one request the landlord must provide one every month; the receipt states the payment date, the amount, the period covered and the apartment number.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Receipts' section: 'Landlords must provide tenants with a written receipt when rent is paid by cash, money order, cashier’s check, or in any form other than the personal check of a tenant'; 'Tenants paying rent by personal check may request in writing a rent receipt from the landlord'; 'The receipt must state the payment date, the amount, the period for which the rent was paid, and the apartment number'; 'After the tenant requests a receipt one time, the landlord must provide a receipt every month' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. According to the New York Attorney General, in that state a lease cannot exempt the landlord from liability for injuries or damage caused by the landlord's negligence, waive your right to a jury trial in personal injury or property damage suits, require you to pledge your household furniture as security for rent, waive the warranty of habitability or restrict you from living with your immediate family or one additional occupant and that occupant's dependent children; and if the lease lets the landlord recover attorney's fees, you automatically have the same right.

    Sources 14 · Residential Tenants Rights Guide, 'Lease Provisions' section: 'Exempting landlords from liability for injuries to persons or property caused by the landlord’s negligence'; 'Waiving the tenant’s right to a jury trial'; 'Requiring tenants to pledge their household furniture as security for rent'; 'Waiving the Warranty of Habitability'; 'Restricting a tenant from living with their immediate family members and/or one additional occupant'; 'a tenant automatically has a reciprocal right to recover those fees as well' · Checked October 17, 2026