The most important component of a lease is that the tenant knows what is expected of him or her and what responsibilities the landlord has. Any lease that you sign should indicate that the landlord has repair work completed before you move into the apartment, or at a promised date afterward. It should then specify the amount of rent you can withhold if you are inconvenienced or if the work is not completed as agreed upon. Additional inclusions for a binding lease are outlined in Checklist for Apartment Leases. One of the biggest areas of contention between a tenant and a landlord can be who is responsible, and in what way, for repairs and maintenance.
Appliances can be a big issue, as can electrical repairs.
Typically the landlord assumes responsibility for these repairs, primarily from a safety standpoint. Another area for dispute is pet ownership. If pets are allowed, landlords must have specific guidelines in the lease for such things as leash rules, areas where pets can be walked and the responsibility of cleaning up after your pet. If your lease states that pets are not allowed, don't push your luck and acquire one after you move into the apartment. Just as with buying a home or condominium, there are areas that can be negotiated in rental agreements, especially if the landlord is anxious to fill the unit.