Understanding Your Lease

Gainesville has two types of leases: individual and joint. 

An individual lease allows all roommates to sign their own lease. Under an individual lease, each roommate is responsible for their own rent so if a roommate does not pay their rent, the other roommates will not be held responsible for the rent. The individual lease is the most common lease for 3 or 4 bedrooms apartments and is recommended by Off Campus Life.

The other type of lease is the joint lease which is more common in houses and condos for rent. This lease also requires all residents to sign the lease, but under a joint lease, the landlord can hold the other roommates responsible for the cost if a roommate does not pay the rent or utilities.

Some complexes require students to have a guarantor or co-signer for their lease. The guarantor is typically a family member who is willing to assume the monthly cost for the rent if for any reason you are not able to pay the rent.

Off Campus Life suggests you only sign the lease for the length that you need. If you know that you only need or want a 6- or 10-month lease, ask the complex to accommodate this need. Some complexes will charge you a monthly fee for a lease shorter than 12 months, but that cost will likely be less than having to pay for months of rent that you do not need.

Also, check the move-in and move-out dates in the lease before signing it and make sure they are before classes begin and after classes and finals are over.  For the academic dates visit  UF's Registrar office website. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure these dates are correct before signing your lease or you run the risk of having to move out before your semester is over.

For more information, visit the Off Campus Life website.