What can I do if my apartment complex has never issued me a copy of?
This is something you get from them before you accept the keys and take possession of the property. Among other things, you usually note problems with the property on a walk through inspection with the leasing agent in order to ensure that preexisting problems when you move in dont get taken out of your security deposit when you move out. If you didnt think to get a copy when you moved in, then depending on how long youve been there, they may or may not have a copy of your the lease you signed at the time you moved in. For example: if the property management company is not the same company that was managing the property when you moved in, they may not have a copy. If they have a copy, and you are pursuing legal action against them, they may be reluctant to give you a copy of the lease. In order to get a copy, as a part of any legal action, theres a phase called discovery. This is where your attorney sends them a letter demanding a copy. Generally speaking, I will charge a tenant an administrative fee to provide a new copy of the lease. If you dont have a copy (and let me repeat: you do not accept the keys or take possession of a rental property without a copy of the lease if you made this mistake, I trust you will never make this mistake again in the future) And they do not have a copy You can always announce your intent to adopt a doberman pincer. And then they can point out that your lease does not allow huge dogs (or maybe even pets). And then you can say Really? Can I have a copy of my lease so I can verify that?