Understand the lease you've been handed
Paste your lease and get a plain-English, clause-by-clause explanation, with the red flags highlighted. Free — sign in for 3 AI checks a day.
- PasteDrop in your lease
- We decodeClause by clause
- You understandPlain English + red flags
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General information, not legal, tax, or financial advice — verify against your actual contract and current state law. Learn more
Plain-English answers to the terms renters ask about most.
How it works
Three simple steps between you and a lease you actually understand.
Paste your lease
Drop in the full text of your lease agreement. Nothing to install; a free account gives you 3 AI checks a day.
Get plain-English breakdowns
Every clause is translated into clear language you can actually understand.
Spot the red flags
Unusual fees, one-sided terms, and risky clauses are flagged for a closer look.
Renter questions we get most
Short, plain-English answers to the questions US renters ask before signing.
What is a lease checker, and what does it actually tell me?
It reads the text of your rental agreement and rewrites it clause by clause in plain English, then flags the terms that most often cost US renters money: automatic renewal windows, non-refundable fees, joint and several liability, entry rights, and repair responsibilities. You get a summary of what you agreed to and a short list of the clauses worth asking about before you sign.
Is it legal for my landlord to keep my security deposit?
Only for reasons your state allows — typically unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Most states also set a deadline for returning the deposit and require an itemized statement of deductions. California, for example, sets both under Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5. Check your state guide for the deadline and the itemization rule that applies to you.
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering?
In most US states the standard is 24 hours' written notice for non-emergency entry, with immediate entry allowed for genuine emergencies such as a burst pipe or fire. Your lease can promise more notice than state law requires, but it cannot promise less. If your lease says the landlord may enter 'at any time', that is a red flag worth negotiating.
What are the biggest red flags in a residential lease?
The recurring ones are: automatic renewal into another full 12-month term with a 60–90 day notice window, a waiver of your right to sue or to a jury trial, tenant responsibility for all repairs regardless of cause, joint and several liability with roommates you do not control, and non-refundable 'administrative' or 'move-in' fees stacked on top of a deposit. Each of these is explained in the clause glossary.
Do you store or share my lease?
No. Your lease text is sent for analysis and returned to your browser; we do not save the document, and it is not used to train anything. A free account exists only to run the daily AI check limit and confirm you are not a bot.
Can I use this instead of a lawyer?
No. This is a plain-English explanation tool, not legal advice. It is built to help you understand what a clause says and which questions to ask. For a dispute, an eviction notice, or anything with money on the line, talk to a tenant attorney or your local legal aid office.
Not sure what a clause means?
Browse our plain-English glossary of common lease terms, or check the rules for your state.