Whether you are a renter or landlord, you'll want to use a rental or lease agreement to outline each party's responsibilities for apartment maintenance. When a rental property is well-kept, renters live in a healthy environment and can expect to get their deposit returned, while landlords are ensured that their property retains its value. With an Apartment Rental Agreement, both parties know what actions to follow in order to avoid conflict. In the event of future problems or conflicts, landlords and renters can refer back to the agreement to come to a solution. While most states and cities have laws protecting both renter and landlord rights, having a rental or lease agreement can help you personally protect your rights in court.

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Renter's responsibilities typically include:

• Paying rent on time
• Following the arrangements of the rental agreement (eg, no pets, no smoking)
• Keeping the property from being damaged or destroyed
• Paying for electricity and internet use

Landlord's responsibilities typically include:

• Providing heating, air conditioning, water service and waste disposal
• Arranging for repairs
• Maintaining common areas
• Notifying tenants of, and responding to health concerns (eg, mold, pests)

You can create an Apartment Rental Agreement with Rocket Lawyer in minutes with our easy online service, or Find a Lawyerto help you with any landlord/tenant issues.

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