Clauses worth reading twice in any lease
Rent, due date and late fees
Check the exact due date, any grace period, how late fees are calculated and whether they repeat daily. Many states limit late fees or require them to be reasonable.
Security deposit
Look for the amount, where it is held, what can be deducted and when it comes back. States set their own caps and return deadlines.
Lease length, renewal and ending early
Watch for automatic renewal, the notice you must give to leave, and early termination or "lease break" fees.
Repairs and maintenance
See who handles which repairs and how to request them. Clauses that push all repairs onto the tenant deserve a closer look.
Landlord entry
Check how much notice the landlord gives before entering and for what reasons.
Utilities, fees and extras
Note which utilities you pay and any added fees: parking, pets, amenities, trash, admin or "convenience" fees.
Subletting, guests and roommates
See whether you can sublet or add a roommate, guest limits, and whether roommates are jointly liable for the full rent.
Rules you might break by accident
Pet rules, smoking, alterations, satellite dishes, short-term rentals. Breaking a lease rule can be grounds for ending the tenancy.
Rules that apply across the US
Fair housing
The federal Fair Housing Act bars discrimination in renting based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status. Many states and cities add more protected classes.
Lead paint disclosure
For most housing built before 1978, federal law requires the landlord to disclose known lead-based paint hazards and give you the EPA pamphlet before you sign.
Habitability
Most states recognize a duty to keep a rental fit to live in, with working heat, water and basic safety. What that covers, and what you can do if it is not met, differs by state.
State rules differ a lot
Deposit caps, deposit return deadlines, late fee limits, entry notice and rent increase rules are mostly set by states and sometimes cities. The guides below cover a few of the largest renter states. Wherever you are, the analyzer flags clauses to check against your local rules.
How Contract Checked helps
Upload your document and get a plain-English report: risk ratings on specific clauses, protections that are missing, and the questions to ask before you sign. Then ask follow-up questions about your own document. You see the credit cost before anything runs.
Check my leaseLease guides by state
Frequently asked questions
Does it work for leases in every state?
Yes. The analyzer reads any written lease from any state or country. It flags clauses worth checking against local law, but it does not replace advice from someone who knows your local rules.
Is this legal advice?
No. Contract Checked gives general information and an AI reading of your document. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a dispute, an eviction or a large amount of money, talk to a licensed attorney or a local tenant organization.
Can I upload a photo of a paper lease?
Yes. Upload a PDF, a Word file, pasted text or a photo. Photos are read with OCR before the analysis.
What happens to my lease after I upload it?
Your documents are stored in your account so you can reopen the report and ask follow-up questions. You can delete them from your dashboard anytime. See the privacy policy for details.