It can be intimidating to relocate to a new city. Nonetheless, it is a certainty for many Indian students and professionals, particularly millennials. Once you've decided to relocate, the first thing you'll need to do is find a place to live. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, 28% of city inhabitants in India live in rented housing.
If you're looking for a place to rent, you may come across landlords that set their own terms and conditions or are keen about raising the rent every year. You should be informed of your rights as a tenant to avoid being taken for a ride. We've compiled a list of eight things you should know before renting a home.
The landlord is responsible for ensuring that basic necessities such as running water and electricity are provided. If the landlord disconnects the electricity or water supply, the tenant can submit a police report or go to court or the rent controller. If a housing society owns the apartment and a conflict arises, renters can seek mediation from the residents' welfare association.
Also, make sure your electrical switches boards are working properly, or else you can’t use your electrical appliances properly. You consider looking for reliable circuit breaker brands, who can provide you with durable electrical parts. It will be beneficial if your switchboards are equipped with an earthing switch, which can provide extra protection to your electrical appliances.
You can haggle this price down. Also, make sure the deposit is specified in the rental agreement. Also, be sure the deposit amount is specified in the lease agreement. Certain limits may apply in circumstances where municipal Rent Control Acts apply.
Bring up pets early in your discussions with a potential landlord. If the landlord does not allow dogs at the address, the tenant should look for another place to live. Having a pet in violation of a rental agreement prohibiting pets would almost always result in a possession action and eventual eviction.
If the agreement includes white goods in the inventory, the renter should verify them visually and have the landlord affirm in writing that they all work adequately.
The tenant should get written confirmation from the landlord as to whether the landlord would repair or replace the items if they break down.
Suppose the tenant does not thoroughly inspect the property before signing into the lease. In that case, they may not be able to fix these difficulties later" - however, in some situations, the landlord's legal obligations may include poor water pressure.
The tenant can request that the landlord do this [i.e., clean and repaint the house before you move in], but they can't compel a landlord to do anything until a tenancy agreement is signed. The most crucial thing is to double-check everything before signing the tenancy agreement and making any payments.
The size of the deposit is likewise left to the landlord's discretion. "Landlords typically require a deposit equal to one month's rent, but some may require more (or less) than that; six weeks' rent is also usual," Plunkett explains. "Some landlords do not require a security deposit at all."
If you're looking for a place to rent, you may come across landlords that set their own terms and conditions or are keen about raising the rent every year. You should be informed of your rights as a tenant to avoid being taken for a ride. We've compiled a list of eight things you should know before renting a home.
Basic Amenities
The landlord is responsible for ensuring that basic necessities such as running water and electricity are provided. If the landlord disconnects the electricity or water supply, the tenant can submit a police report or go to court or the rent controller. If a housing society owns the apartment and a conflict arises, renters can seek mediation from the residents' welfare association.
Also, make sure your electrical switches boards are working properly, or else you can’t use your electrical appliances properly. You consider looking for reliable circuit breaker brands, who can provide you with durable electrical parts. It will be beneficial if your switchboards are equipped with an earthing switch, which can provide extra protection to your electrical appliances.
Basic Upkeep
The landlord is primarily responsible for the expense of property upkeep and other related expenditures, except in circumstances of normal wear and tear. Many residential societies, on the other hand, charge maintenance fees. It's best to receive clarification from the landlord ahead of time and be informed of the fees you'll be responsible for.Landlord's Access
Once the agreement is signed, the apartment belongs to the tenant for the duration of the lease, and the landlord cannot enter the flat without taking the tenant's permission. If a person has a good relationship with his or her landlord, he or she will be able to coordinate and complete the assignment. Construction and related repairs should be paid for by the landlord.Security Deposit
In Indian cities, most landlords want a security deposit. The cost can range from six months to a year's worth of rent. The deposit amount varies by city and is determined by local market practice. It also depends on the type of rental property you have. One month's rent may be sufficient for an unfurnished apartment, but it may be more for a furnished flat. Landlords require a deposit to protect their interests in the event that the renter fails to pay utility bills or causes damage to the property.You can haggle this price down. Also, make sure the deposit is specified in the rental agreement. Also, be sure the deposit amount is specified in the lease agreement. Certain limits may apply in circumstances where municipal Rent Control Acts apply.
Eviction
While a tenant can be requested to leave if they break the rent agreement or other rules, the landlord must give the renter advance notice and provide a concrete basis for the eviction. Misuse or change in the nature of the property's use, non-payment of rent, subletting the premises, and other charges are some of the examples. The tenancy must be cancelled with a 15-day notice under the Transfer of Property Act. The parameters of the two parties' agreement will determine the remainder.New Landlord
Let's say you're renting an apartment and your landlord chooses to sell it. Will you have to prepare a new agreement if you stay on as a renter for the new owner? In this circumstance, the tenancy will continue, and the contract will be deemed assigned to the new landlord. The current lease agreement will continue in place. Therefore there will be no need for a new one. The new landlord must adhere to the conditions of the previous landlord and tenant's agreement.Rent Agreement
The tenant should make sure that terms like termination and extension, tenancy duration, rent amount, and landlord inspection rights are all included in the rent agreement," Dalmia said. Make sure the agreement is written on stamp paper and properly registered with the local government. This will ensure that your interests are protected in the event of a dispute.Discuss your Pets
Bring up pets early in your discussions with a potential landlord. If the landlord does not allow dogs at the address, the tenant should look for another place to live. Having a pet in violation of a rental agreement prohibiting pets would almost always result in a possession action and eventual eviction.
Inspecting the While Goods
You should inspect the white goods (fridge, washing machine, microwave, dishwasher, etc) as soon as you move in and report any issues.If the agreement includes white goods in the inventory, the renter should verify them visually and have the landlord affirm in writing that they all work adequately.
The tenant should get written confirmation from the landlord as to whether the landlord would repair or replace the items if they break down.
Inspecting The Water Pressure
Run the faucets and the shower when you first inspect a property. You can haggle with the landlord before signing the lease if there is a problem with the water pressure.Suppose the tenant does not thoroughly inspect the property before signing into the lease. In that case, they may not be able to fix these difficulties later" - however, in some situations, the landlord's legal obligations may include poor water pressure.
Repainting the Walls
It's a good idea to have any work you wish the landlord to accomplish before you sign anything (for example, painting the front door or steam-cleaning the carpets) completed before you sign anything.The tenant can request that the landlord do this [i.e., clean and repaint the house before you move in], but they can't compel a landlord to do anything until a tenancy agreement is signed. The most crucial thing is to double-check everything before signing the tenancy agreement and making any payments.
Final Thoughts
There is no such thing as a "standard" amount of rent to pay in advance. In most cases, landlords will request one month's rent in advance, though this can vary.The size of the deposit is likewise left to the landlord's discretion. "Landlords typically require a deposit equal to one month's rent, but some may require more (or less) than that; six weeks' rent is also usual," Plunkett explains. "Some landlords do not require a security deposit at all."