Watch Out for the Fine Print in Contracts and Agreements

Posted on 28/04/2015

Whenever something important is involved there is some kind of agreement or contract that will be in place somewhere to make the “consumer” aware of their specific rights or the specific rights they are not entitled with the certain item(s) outlined. This can range from rental agreements to home buying agreements and even furniture leasing agreements, among many other things. Most contracts and agreements are designed to protect the rights of both parties involved in any transaction; this is why they are so important in everyday use. Whenever signing a contract or agreement they should be respected and not taken lightly.

Taking time to read contracts and agreements is very important and can save you a whole lot of trouble later down the line if something just doesn’t go right or you need to exercise your rights. Something you can be sure of is that if there is a problem in the future and it is brought to attention the place where you will need to refer to is either a contract or agreement.

When it comes to rental agreements you may want to watch out for those that make the renter liable for any wear and tear on the home or apartment being rented. There could be a clause in the agreement that the person renting the apartment at the time is responsible for the repairs that need to be done on the home, so if the air conditioner suddenly goes out, you may be stuck paying to get it fixed or just do without. If you do without repairing it then the landlord may refer to the agreement when it comes down to getting the security deposit back, when you move out. If an agreement has such a clause it is best to make everything transparent and to see if the clause can be changed before signing the agreement. Almost 99% of the time it is better to depend on the agreement, rather than the word of the specific person the agreement will be signed with.

The best thing to do before signing any contract or agreement is to find legal advice regarding the contract. Depending on the specific agreement or contract and what it is regarding you can find a specialized legal advisor or lawyer. Lawyers will be able to give you a professional and unbiased judgment of the contract or agreement in question. They will also be able to identify specific stipulations found that may be questionable or leave you in a position that will remove your rights to contest. Before signing a contract or agreement with anyone or for any specific product, make sure to get legal advice on the matter.

The world as it is today and the consumer market with as risky as it is with any long term investment making sure to take note of the fine print and what rights you actually have if you sign a contract or agreement. Seeking legal advice before signing any document that involves a long term investment or a big transaction is the best option.