Signing your first lease can feel like a formality standing between you and moving in — but it's a binding legal document, and a few minutes checking it properly now can save you months of frustration later.
Confirm who you're actually signing with
Make sure the person offering the nest is verified on the platform you're using, or ask to see proof they own or manage the property. Never pay a deposit to someone who won't confirm their identity.
Read the lease term and renewal conditions
- Start and end dates — do they match when you actually need to move in and out (e.g. around your academic year)?
- Renewal — does the lease auto-renew, or do you need to give notice by a certain date if you're leaving?
- Early termination — what happens if you need to leave before the lease ends (transfer, dropping out, financial hardship)?
Understand exactly what's included in rent
Ask specifically whether utilities, WiFi, and parking are included in the quoted rent, or billed separately. A cheaper nest with WiFi and utilities billed on top can end up more expensive than a slightly pricier all-inclusive one.
Know the deposit terms
Your deposit should be clearly stated, refundable (minus any legitimate damages), and returned within a reasonable period after move-out — usually a few weeks once a move-out inspection has been done.
Get everything in writing
Verbal promises about repairs, furniture, or move-in dates aren't worth much if there's ever a dispute. If a host has agreed to something not in the lease, ask for it in writing — even a message thread is better than nothing.
On RoomNest, leases are signed digitally by both host and tenant, so there's always a clear record both sides can refer back to.