A contract is always the best way to ensure that any agreement between two parties is made formal, legal and binding. This is done also to prevent any misunderstandings and so any abuse from either party towards each other is prevented.   This also especially applies to renting an apartment or home - it is preferred that if you are looking for a place to rent, you find one that will give you a contract to sign, so that you are also aware of your rights when it comes to the rental of the place in question. Of course, it also follows that it is essential for you to be able to read all of the fine print so you get to have a concrete understanding of what you are getting into and what obligations you have to fulfill. Because regardless of whether or not you read the agreement, affixing your signature means that you enter a legal obligation to follow whatever is stipulated in the contract so you must know what you are getting into before you sign. You will also know if a place has a good rental system in place because the good ones will give you fair conditions that will be stipulated in the contract.