Evening star., 1914-08-22
READ BEFORE SIGNING"
Advice Given by Writer Concerning
Apartment and Other
Leases.

Some real estate leases are such
cormidable-looking documents that NOT
few persons taking them will not take
the time or make an effort to read them
50 as to thoroughly understand the docu-
ment to which they are affixing tneir
names They are quite apt to take II Tor
granted that it is all right anyway. But
IL really is important that this indenture
receive more than a glance, says a Writer
in the New York Times. Papers that
enter into various agreements, contracts
Of sale, mortgages, building contracts
ETC., are all complex. but none Is more so
than the average dwelling house or apart
ment house lease. In fact. IN some cities
they are regarded as brain tangling,"
and becoming more and more SO. Not
many persons are aware Of the fact that
leases Of flats in the city have q chattel
clause inserted that places the tenant at
the mercy of the landlord If he cannot
pay the rent.
Many "Ifs" and "Buts."
This chattel clause is mixed in with the
dozens Of 'ifs" and butts which have
always taxed common sense to capacity
in fathoming accurately their purpose
and intent. until the reading Of lease
Of that character is as irksome as puz-
cling. Up to within a short time when
ever a tenant could not pay his rent and
decided to move, or was ordered out by
his landlord, he could get GUS and take
his possessions with him. but now, in
certain cities. he moves just the same,
but leaves behind him the furniture and
furnishings of his home
These chattels are put in storage, there
to remain at the expense of the owner
until he pays the rent bill. the storage
bill. carriage and any other incidental ex-
pense the landlord sees At to tack on.
not cheaper to move than pay rent In
New York, st. Louis, Milwaukee,. Chicago
and some other places where the chattel
form Of lease has come into a partial use.
Clause Affects Furniture.
By the wording of the lease which
contains the chattel clause the tenant
relinquishes to the landlord and owner
the furniture and furnishings the very
minute the goods are installed in the
house or apartment He has signed the
document, and that document goes on
record. And this pledge also Is signed
in the presence Of a notary before it
goes In record.
Such conditions are not found in
leases that are negotiated in this city
or state unless the lessor inserts such
q chattel clause with the consent of
the lessee The general lease used ex-
tensively throughout this common
wealth, and which is furnished in blank
by all dealers in law stationery, is a
voluminously worded affair, really un-
necessarily SO.
The lessee agrees to refrain from
driving nails or screws in the walls;
will replace all glass broken except by
nre; will pay the plate glass insurance:
pay the expense Of removing ashes and
garbage: will keep the lawn, if there is
one. moved and in good condition.; keep
the sidewalk cleaned from ice, snow
and other distractions; will pay for
emptytng the cesspools and drains, etc.
May Remove Effects.
Another proviso. which is led up to
by a long preamble, states that If the
lessee shall neglect to perform or OBJ
serve any of the foregoing covenants
or agreements as contained in these
presents. or for any breach thereof, the
lessor or his representatives may enter
the premises at any time and remove
the effects of the lessee-forcibly, If
necessary-without being guilty of
trespass and without prejudice to any
remedies which might otherwise be
used, for arrears of rent or preceding
breach of covenant
Store leases are also voluminous doc
uments and filled with a mass of words
that to the real estate man are per-
are puZZling and meaningless But the
lessee of store will very likely have
his lease looked after by an attorney,
and. by him, made clear. He takes no
chances of signing anything that may
tie him hand and foot.