Apartment complex managers say most people don't read the whole lease before signing it. Later, if there's a problem, they'll say, "You didn't tell me that." Then they'll actually read the entire document.
The lease is an agreement between the owner and the person renting an apartment. There is no standard lease — some are long and some are short. Most cover similar issues, but the details can differ significantly. Failure to know the terms of a lease is not a defense for violating the terms. No verbal agreement will change any part of the lease. If you don't agree with all the terms, don't sign.
If the apartment manager and tenant agree to any change, both should initial the change, as well as additions or deletions to the contract.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.