Inspired by real-world leasing challenges, an ETAMU senior created an app to decode rental contracts.

For many renters, signing a lease can be one of the most important—and intimidating—financial decisions they make. Lengthy contracts, unfamiliar legal terminology and concerns about hidden obligations can leave tenants uncertain about what they are agreeing to.

East Texas A&M University computer science student Chimdumebi Nebolisa saw an opportunity to address that problem when he entered the Codex Creator Challenge, a software development competition organized by OpenAI and Handshake.

The senior developed BeforeYouSign, an AI-powered web application that helps renters better understand residential lease agreements before signing them. The project earned Nebolisa a spot among 10 finalists selected from more than 1,500 student participants across the United States and Canada.

Solving a Real-World Problem

Nebolisa’s project, an AI-powered web application called BeforeYouSign, helps renters better understand residential lease agreements before signing them. The app analyzes lease documents, identifies important terms and potential concerns, and translates complex legal language into plain English.

“I felt it validated the idea I had, because it proved that I was not the only one that found it useful,” Nebolisa said of being named a finalist. “There were other people that looked at it and thought, okay, this has a genuine use case.”

Originally from Nigeria, Nebolisa came to East Texas A&M three years ago to pursue his degree in computer science. While he had visited the United States previously, moving to Texas marked the beginning of his academic journey at the university.

The inspiration for BeforeYouSign came from conversations with friends and acquaintances preparing to rent their first apartments.

“I know people who have complained about how tedious it is renting their first place,” Nebolisa said. “They don’t want to get taken advantage of, but dealing with all the contracts and documents can be overwhelming.”

Those conversations led him to identify a problem that many people face but few understand well. Rather than building a project solely to showcase technical skills, Nebolisa focused on creating a tool with practical value.

When users upload a lease document, BeforeYouSign summarizes key information in language designed to be easy to understand. The app also allows users to trace explanations back to specific sections of the original document, helping them verify the information and review important clauses themselves.

From Classroom Skills to Practical Innovation

Nebolisa said one of the biggest challenges was not building the software itself, but determining which information would be most useful to renters.

“What people would like to know and what they should know are different things,” he said. “I had to find a balance.”

After testing the application with real lease documents and receiving feedback from friends, he realized the concept had significant potential.

“It works better than I expected it to work,” he said.

Although BeforeYouSign currently focuses on residential leases, Nebolisa hopes to expand the platform in the future to analyze other types of legal and financial agreements.

The project reflects Nebolisa’s broader interests in artificial intelligence and software development. In addition to creating applications, he has participated in undergraduate research opportunities at East Texas A&M, including a research symposium project mentored by Assistant Professor of Psychology Jessica Udry.

His experiences have reinforced his belief that technology should solve meaningful problems.

“My specific interest in building apps is just building things that people genuinely find useful,” he said.

Nebolisa credits East Texas A&M with providing opportunities that helped him develop both technical and professional skills.

“It’s been very good,” he said of his experience at the university. “I initially didn’t realize how much of an opportunity I was afforded here.”

Nebolisa credits several East Texas A&M faculty members with helping shape his academic and professional development. He said Dr. Jessica Udry helped him overcome the intimidation he initially felt toward research and gave him the confidence to pursue it seriously. He also credited Dr. Manar Alsaid with influencing how he thinks about using technology to solve meaningful problems, while Dr. Yuehua Wang encouraged his growth and created opportunities for him to showcase his work beyond the classroom.

Preparing Future Technology Leaders

East Texas A&M’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems prepares students for careers in software development, cybersecurity, data management and related fields through hands-on learning experiences and applied technology projects. The department offers programs in computer science, computer information systems and cybersecurity, giving students opportunities to develop technical expertise while addressing real-world challenges.

The university’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET and equips students with skills in programming, software engineering, networking, system design and emerging technologies.

For Nebolisa, the success of BeforeYouSign demonstrates how those skills can be applied to create practical solutions that make everyday life easier.

“I’m hoping users have one less thing to worry about,” he said. “If you’re about to sign a lease document, you’re probably wondering if there’s something you should know that you don’t. I’m trying to take away the need to ask that question.”