October 1, 2026

Signing a first lease at 19

Signing a first lease is a big moment, and a risky one. Before anyone signs, we sit down together and read every line.

We ask three questions every time: what happens if rent is late, who fixes things, and how much notice is needed to move out. The answers tell you a lot about the year ahead.

Then we make a plan for month one: rent, utilities, groceries and bus fare, written on one page.