Before you sign — or after

Know exactly what your lease commits you to.

The clause that costs you the most is rarely the rent — it’s a sentence buried on page nine that quietly moves risk onto you. Upload your lease and Initialed flags the costly clauses in plain English, in about two minutes.

First review free No credit card PDF or Word · ~2 min
residential-lease.pdf
Reviewed
HighPersonal guaranty — you’re individually liable
Suggested redline
personally and unconditionally guarantees all obligations guaranty capped at three (3) months’ rent
HighUncapped annual rent escalation tied to “market rate”
MediumTenant responsible for all repairs, “as-is”
LowAuto-renewal unless you give 90 days’ notice

Illustrative results with suggested redlines — your review reflects your actual contract.

5 clauses

where tenants most often lose money

~2 min

to see which clauses could cost you

Plain English

understand your lease without the legalese

What Initialed checks in your lease

These are the five clauses that catch tenants out most often — in plain English, with what to look for and what to ask for instead.

Repairs & report deadline

We flag leases that put big-ticket maintenance on you, plus short windows to report defects that make later problems yours.

We flag: “accepts the premises as-is” · notify of defects within 30 days

Auto-renewal & notice

We flag clauses that roll you into another full term unless you give written notice by a specific date — often 60–120 days out.

We flag: auto-renews unless notice ___ days prior

Rent escalation cap

We flag uncapped increases tied to an index or “market rate” that can jump far faster than you budgeted.

We flag: “greater of 5% or CPI” · no stated maximum

Personal guaranty

We flag guaranties that make you individually liable even if you signed as an LLC — the landlord can reach your personal savings.

We flag: “personally and unconditionally guarantees” · “jointly and severally”

Early termination & assignment

We flag one-sided terms that charge steep penalties to leave while giving the landlord sole discretion to block any transfer.

We flag: consent that isn’t “not unreasonably withheld” · large exit fees

Walk into any negotiation — or lawyer call — prepared.

Every flag comes with what to ask for instead — so you can negotiate with specifics, not a hunch.

Review your lease free
Already signed?

You signed the lease. Now there’s a problem.

A deposit’s being withheld, you’re charged for repairs you didn’t agree to, or you need to break the lease. Upload the signed lease and Initialed explains — in plain English — exactly what you agreed to, which clauses can still bite, and whether this is worth taking to a lawyer.

We’re not a law firm and we don’t give legal advice. We’re the fast first step that tells you where you stand — so if you do call a tenant attorney, you arrive knowing what to ask.

See what you agreed to

When it’s worth calling a lawyer

  • Your landlord is withholding your security deposit
  • You’re being charged for repairs you didn’t agree to
  • You need to break the lease and face a large penalty
  • You received an eviction notice or a demand for back rent

Initialed helps you recognize these fast and organize the facts — then you decide whether to bring in counsel.

How it works

STEP 1

Upload your contract

Drop in the PDF or Word file — one you’re about to sign, or one you already did. Tell us which side you’re on.

STEP 2

We review it, side-aware

Initialed reads the whole document and checks it against a protection checklist — the same rigorous pass every time.

STEP 3

Get ranked red flags

See the clauses working against you, ranked by impact — with what to ask for, or what to raise with a lawyer.

Frequently asked

I already signed my lease — can this still help?

Yes. Upload the signed lease and Initialed explains, in plain English, exactly what you agreed to and which clauses can still affect you — so you know where you stand and whether it’s worth taking to a lawyer.

Can I get out of a lease clause I already signed?

Sometimes. Some terms are negotiable at renewal, some may be unenforceable depending on your jurisdiction, and a landlord may amend a clause in writing. Reviewing the exact language and your local law is the first step — and for high-stakes leases, a qualified attorney.

Do I need a lawyer to review a lease?

For a major commercial lease or a personal guaranty, qualified counsel is worth it. Initialed is the fast first pass: it flags the risky clauses in a couple of minutes so you walk into any lawyer conversation prepared.

Before you sign — or after you already did.

Upload your lease and see which clauses could cost you — auto-renewal, repairs, rent hikes, guaranties — in about two minutes. Your first review is free.

Review your lease free

This page is general information, not legal advice, and Initialed AI is not a law firm. Lease law varies by location. For a major commercial lease or a personal guaranty, consult a qualified attorney.