Legal Checklist for Renting a House
Most people prefer to rent a house or flat. Renting has many benefits but sometimes people face the difficulties. This is because they take legal binding contracts very lightly. The most important thing while renting a house is the rent agreement so read it thoroughly. If you are among the people who have never rented a house before, then keep on reading this blog. Here is the legal checklist for renting a house.
Keep a Copy of the Rent Agreement
As a tenant you have the right to keep a copy of the rent contract. Many disputes arise while renting a home. If disputes arise then you should remain professional. Just politely discuss every issue with the landlord. But if the dispute still exists then you can take the landlord to the court. For your own security always keep a copy of the rent agreement.
Duration of the Rent Agreement
The next legal thing to consider while renting a house is to know the duration of the rent contract. The rent agreement is for 11 months so that both parties can avoid the stamp duty and other charges. So thoroughly read the rent agreement and check the duration of your stay. If it is less or more than 11 months then discuss the issue with the landlord or your estate agent.
Liabilities of Landlord and Tenant
The rent agreement specifies the duties of both the tenant and the landlord. As a tenant you have to pay the rent on time, maintain the property, inform the landlord about the damage to the property and give one month’s notice before ending the contract. On the other hand landlord is bound to maintain the property, ask for your permission to enter the property, give you one month’s notice before ending the rent agreement and return the security deposit.
Notice Period
Whenever the tenant wants to leave the property s/he has to tell the landlord in advance. Similarly when the homeowner wants the tenant to vacate the property s/he has to give an advance notice. Notice period is always mentioned in the rent agreement which is one month. So tenant and landlord can end the rent agreement at a month’s notice.
Security Deposit
Advance deposit is paid by the tenant as security payment and is equal to two months’ rent. Security deposit is returned to the tenant at the end of the rent agreement when tenant leaves house or landlord asks tenant to vacate the house. Security deposit is returned after deducting the unpaid bills and damages to the property.
Signing Authority
The most important part of the rent agreement is the signature of the tenant and landlord. Without the signatures of both parties rent agreement is useless. Only the legal owner of the property should sign the documents. The tenant will face the difficulty in future if rent agreement is signed by another person on the behalf of the landlord. Therefore the tenant should force the legal landlord of the property to sign the rent agreement.