When looking for a rental, knowing all the lease information is essential.

When looking for a rental, the most important thing to think about is the lease. Carefully read your lease thoroughly before signing it. If there are any questionable issues, don′t sign your lease until the landlord agrees to remove or modify the issue in question. A lease agreement can be either oral or written. The parties involved have the right to make agreements as formal or informal as they like. An oral agreement is valid as long as it is for one year or less. Without something in writing, the law implies that a lease agreement is as long as the period between rent payments. Therefore, if you pay rent every month then it is a month-to-month lease agreement. You or your landlord must give at least one month′s notice of terminating the agreement.

A written lease guarantees protection between the landlord and tenant by documenting the duties of both parties under given circumstances.
The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against families. Landlords must rent to anyone regardless of the household. The only restrictions that may be in place are those that apply to all applicants. For instance, the number of people per unit can be limited. Only one major exception and that is those complexes for seniors. If a complex is at least 80% occupied by tenants over the age of 55 it is not required to allow children. Recent changes to the Fair Housing Act also prohibits the discrimination against handicapped applicants. In the state of Texas, tenants aren′t allowed to sublease unless your lease gives you right to do so or you gain permission from your landlord. If your lease allows you to sublease, you must follow the specific provisions of the agreement. If you do sublease, you are still responsible for the rent if the subtenant doesn′t pay.