Questions to Ask a Landlord: The Best Easy Guide (2026)

Quick answer

Before renting, ask what the rent includes, all monthly fees (parking, pets, amenities), the security deposit and how it is returned, lease length and early termination fees, pet and guest rules, how repairs are handled, and how much rent has gone up at past renewals. Get key promises in writing.

A few good questions before you sign can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of stress. Here is a complete checklist of questions to ask a landlord about cost, the lease, repairs, safety and the building.

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Questions about cost

Rent and fees

What is the monthly rent, and when and how is it paid?
What utilities are included (water, trash, gas, electric, internet)?
What do utilities usually cost here each month?
Are there other monthly fees (amenity, parking, pet rent, trash, valet trash)?
What is the security deposit, and is it refundable?
Are there move-in specials or concessions?

Increases and renewals

How much has rent gone up at renewal in the past?
Is the unit rent-stabilized or rent-controlled?
How far ahead will I hear about renewal terms?

Questions to ask a landlord – Apartment kitchen with a steel refrigerator — Test appliances and water pressure during the tour.

Questions about the lease

Lease terms

How long is the lease, and are shorter terms available?
What happens if I need to break the lease? Is there an early termination fee? (See how to break a lease without penalty.)
Is subletting allowed?
Can I paint or hang pictures?
What is the guest policy?
What is the pet policy, and are there breed or weight limits?

Questions about maintenance and safety

Repairs

How do I request repairs, and how fast are they usually handled?
Is there 24-hour emergency maintenance?
When were the appliances, HVAC and water heater last replaced?
Has the unit had pests, leaks or mold?

Safety

Are there working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
Are doors and windows secure? Are locks changed between tenants?
Has the building or unit ever flooded?
How are packages handled?

Hallway with doors on both sides — Check common areas and security

Bedroom with a platform bed — Check common areas and security

The best time to find out about fees, repairs and rent increases is before you sign, not after.

Questions about the neighborhood and building

How noisy is the building at night?
Where can I park, and what does it cost?
Is laundry in-unit, in the building or nearby?
How close is public transit?
Who lives in the building (students, families, professionals)?

Things to check yourself during the tour

Water pressure and hot water.
Cell signal in each room.
Signs of pests, leaks or mold under sinks.
Windows that open and lock.
Outlets in useful places.
How much natural light each room gets.

Apartment kitchen with a steel refrigerator

Questions to ask a landlord before you sign: a step-by-step plan

Asking good questions works best when you do it in order. Here is a simple plan that takes you from the first phone call to the day you sign, so nothing important slips through.

Before the tour (phone or email): confirm the rent, the move-in date, the security deposit, the pet policy and the income or credit requirements. If any of these is a deal-breaker, you save yourself a trip.
During the tour: ask about repairs, noise, parking, laundry and the building, and check the unit yourself (water pressure, outlets, windows, signs of pests or leaks).
After the tour: ask for a copy of the lease and a written list of every monthly fee. Read the lease at home, not at the leasing desk.
Before you pay anything: confirm who you are paying, how the deposit is held, and when it is returned. Never wire money or pay in gift cards.
Before you sign: make sure every promise (a new carpet, a parking spot, a fixed renewal increase) is written into the lease or an addendum.

Write the answers down. When you compare two or three apartments, notes beat memory every time. If you are also weighing a single-family home, see our guide to renting a house vs apartment for the extra questions about yard work and utilities.

The real monthly cost: fees to ask about

The advertised rent is rarely the full number. Use this table as a checklist of questions to ask a landlord about money, so you can compare the true monthly cost of each place.

Cost item	Question to ask	Why it matters
Utilities	Which utilities are included, and what do they usually cost here?	Electric, gas and water can add a lot each month, especially in older units.
Amenity fee	Is there a monthly amenity or “community” fee?	Common in newer buildings and often not included in the listed rent.
Parking	Is parking included, and is a second spot extra?	Covered or garage spots often carry a separate monthly charge.
Pet rent and deposit	Is there pet rent, a pet deposit, a pet fee, or all three?	Pet costs can add up to more than a month of rent over a year.
Trash and valet trash	Are trash or valet trash billed separately?	Small fees still change your total.
Renters insurance	Is renters insurance required, and at what coverage level?	Many landlords require it; it is usually a modest monthly cost.
Application and admin fees	What are the application, admin and lease-signing fees?	These are paid up front and are often non-refundable.

Monthly and up-front fees to confirm before signing

Add these to the rent to get a real monthly number, then check it against your budget with our guide to how much rent you can afford.

Red flags to watch for in the answers

The answers matter, but so does how the landlord answers. These warning signs are worth a second look before you hand over any money:

The landlord will not show the unit in person or asks you to rent it sight unseen.
You are asked to pay a deposit or “hold fee” by wire transfer, gift card or a payment app before you see a lease.
Answers about fees, repairs or renewals are vague, change between conversations, or are “just verbal.”
The lease is missing basic details: the address, the rent, the deposit amount, the lease dates or the landlord’s name and contact information.
Visible problems (mold, leaks, broken locks, missing smoke detectors) are brushed off with “we will get to it.”
Current tenants or online reviews describe slow repairs, deposits not being returned, or surprise fees.
You feel pushed to sign the same day with no time to read the lease.

A good landlord expects questions. If someone gets annoyed when you ask, that tells you something about how they will respond to a repair request later.

Extra questions for your situation

Renting a house or a room from a private landlord

Who handles yard work, snow removal and gutter cleaning?
Who pays for pest control and appliance repairs?
Is the landlord the owner, and is the property in good standing with the mortgage lender?
Who should I call for an emergency at night or on weekends?

Renting with a pet

What are the pet rent, pet deposit and one-time pet fee?
Are there breed, size or number limits?
Is there a dog park or nearby green space?
What are the rules for pet damage at move-out?

Renting with roommates

Will everyone be on the lease, and is each person responsible for the full rent?
What happens if one roommate moves out early?
Can a new roommate be added or swapped mid-lease, and is there a fee?

Moving from another city

Can I do a live video tour if I cannot visit?
Can the lease start date be flexible by a few days?
How do you verify my identity and income remotely?

Common mistakes renters make

Only asking about rent. Fees, utilities and parking can change which apartment is truly cheaper.
Skipping the move-in inspection. Without dated photos, it is harder to protect your security deposit later.
Not asking about renewals. A low first-year rent with a big renewal jump can cost more over two years.
Trusting verbal promises. If it is not in the lease, it may not happen.
Not reading the break-lease clause. Life changes; know the cost of leaving early before you sign.

Keep this list of questions to ask a landlord on your phone during tours. Ten minutes of questions can save you a year of frustration.

Helpful resources: For more on questions to ask a landlord, see the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Questions to ask a landlord: frequently asked questions

What should I ask a landlord before renting?

Ask what rent includes, all monthly fees, deposit terms, lease length and break fees, pet and guest policies, how repairs work, and how much rent has gone up at past renewals.

What should I look for when touring an apartment?

Check water pressure, hot water, pests, leaks, mold, window locks, outlets, cell signal, noise and natural light.

Is it OK to ask about rent increases?

Yes. Asking about past renewal increases and whether the unit is rent-stabilized helps you plan your budget.

Should I get answers in writing?

Yes. Make sure important promises, like repairs, included utilities or parking, are written into the lease.

What questions should I ask a landlord on the phone?

Ask about the rent, all monthly fees, the move-in date, the security deposit, pet rules, and the income and credit requirements. These quick questions tell you whether the apartment is worth touring.

What are red flags when renting an apartment?

Watch for landlords who will not show the unit, ask for payment by wire or gift card, give vague answers about fees, or push you to sign the same day without reading the lease.

Sources: HUD: renting, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Prices are national planning ranges, not quotes. See how we research costs.