The contract/lease should record the full names and identifications of the parties involved in signing the contract, the specific address of the unit involved, the beginning and ending dates of the total rental period, the total amount of rent payable, the amount of the rent deposit, the amount and due dates of subsequent payments required.
Blank spaces not applicable to your lease should be filled in the "N/A".
It should provide provisions for cancellations (military clause, deployment, and PCS orders), extensions of lease beyond the first rental period (1 year, 6 months, month to month option, 7 day notice to vacate, etc.).
It should specify the landlord's rights and responsibilities as well as the tenant's. The contract should clearly state the utilities and services applied by the landlord in the rental charge.
Many contracts will also include operating policies or house rules that are applicable to the tenants, and if not observed can be cause for eviction.
A landlord can terminate (end) tenancy at the end of the lease period. In addition, a landlord can terminate a tenancy at any time if the tenant has done any of the following:
When looking for an apartment, here are the necessary actions to take:
Any problems while checking the rental, signing, during, and clearing, call the Housing Services Office Division.
Once the lease is signed, this is a binding contract. The amount of the rent cannot be raised until the lease is up. When the lease ends, or there is no written agreement, the landlord may increase the rent. When increasing rent, the landlord must give the tenant the proper notice. The procedures for this required notice is the same as "ending the agreement." If you are opposed to the increase, you have the right to move prior to its effective date.
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain in good, safe, working order, and promptly repair all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances which he has supplied or are repaired by his agreement or any law to supply after you have notified him of any defects in writing (in emergencies you may call him/her on the telephone, but follow up in writing).
If you have a problem at the rental unit, you should give the landlord the notice in writing, telling him/her of the deficiencies (a phone call advising him of the problem, followed with a written request to repair is recommended). A good response time is from 3 to 10 days depending on the nature of the repair required. If he does not respond, send a letter return receipt requested, or, come to the Housing Office and speak with one of the off-base/post Housing Specialists. The Housing Specialist will assist you and advise you on landlord responsibilities. They can also mediate the problem between you and the landlord. She/he can call the landlord and request the deficiency be corrected on your behalf.
If the deficiencies are not corrected in a timely manner, you may consider small claims court. The Housing Specialist will be able to advise you based on the circumstances of your particular problem.