A lease agreement is one of the most financially significant contracts most people sign. Yet most renters spend more time choosing an apartment than reading the document that governs their rights in it. Scrutr reads your lease in under 60 seconds and tells you what matters.
Security deposit: the most litigated clause in residential leases
Security deposit disputes are the most common source of tenant-landlord conflict. The key questions your lease should answer clearly: How much is the deposit? What conditions allow the landlord to withhold it? How many days after move-out must it be returned? What documentation is required? State law often defines the maximum deposit amount and the required return timeline, but your lease may contain clauses that make disputes harder to resolve in your favor. Scrutr flags vague damage language, missing move-in checklist requirements, and return timelines that don't match standard practice.
Landlord entry rights: what's reasonable and what isn't
Most jurisdictions require landlords to provide 24–48 hours written notice before entering a rental unit, except in emergencies. Some lease agreements, however, include language giving landlords broader entry rights — allowing entry with minimal or no notice for inspections, repairs, or showings. Scrutr identifies entry clauses that go beyond what your lease requires and flags language that may conflict with local tenant rights.
Early termination: what it costs you to leave
Lease break penalties vary widely. Some leases require you to pay rent through the end of the lease term regardless of when you leave. Others require a fixed penalty (often 1–2 months rent). Some include a duty to mitigate — requiring the landlord to try to re-rent the unit, which limits your liability. Scrutr flags which type of early termination clause your lease contains and identifies whether you have any exit options.
Automatic renewal and notice windows
Some leases automatically renew for another full term if you don't provide written notice to vacate within a specific window — often 30–60 days before the end of the lease. Miss that window and you may be locked in for another year. Scrutr flags automatic renewal clauses and the notification window required to prevent renewal — information that's easy to overlook until it's too late.