Contact Us

If you want to ask us a question directly, please submit your message with the following form.

 


Tenants Guide

This guidance is relevant to new, existing, and potential tenants.

Who is a good tenant

  • When you rent an accommodation, you are called a tenant. You should do your utmost best to be an exemplary tenant for your landlord, so you can stay in the property and maintain your living standards.
  • You can do this by paying your rent on time and complying with the terms of your lease. You should also try to keep the property tidy clean and presentable. Most important you should be in constant communication with your landlord to keep a good relation

Your responsibility as a tenant

  • Your tenancy agreement is your lease bible. You should read it, understand it and apply it. As a tenant, you have the responsibility to read and understand the terms of your lease agreement preferably with the help of your lawyer, someone who is a specialist in rental laws or with your landlord.
  • A good landlord will take the time to ensure you understand the terms of your lease and be clear about their expectations of you. Understanding the terms will ensure you do not break the lease or put yourself at risk of getting in trouble with your landlord
  • Most leases will detail the rent due each month, the rent deposit amount required in case of damage to the property or content, the possibility to have pets, and the standard of cleanliness and maintenance expected.
  • You should make sure you understand and agree with the content of the lease requirements before you sign it.

Respect the terms of your tenancy agreement

  • A conscientious and well behave tenant will comply with the terms and rules laid down in their lease. Breaking the terms of your lease will give your landlord reasons to terminate your rental agreement and possibly evict you. It is in your best interest to follow the rules of your tenancy agreement
  • Remember that your landlord is on your side. He or she wants you to have a place you can call home. They will make all efforts to help you feel at ease in your home.
  • So, if you decide that you want to add some flowers in the garden or you want to change the size of your fridge because the one provided with the flat or home is small, discuss that with your landlord and find a common ground on how to agree to such change.
  • Another example. If you are in one bedroom flat and intent to stay there with your pregnant partner and kid, but did not mention this, you should talk to your landlord about it.
  • Maybe you cannot afford a higher rent for two bedrooms flat and you are troubled about it! Talk to your landlord. Landlord are human being like you and me. They have a family, some of them have been through hardship like you. You may be surprise with their compassion, their understanding and response to your problem. In another hand, they may not agree to help, but they will respect you for being honest with them.
  • .

Do not miss to pay your monthly rent

  • Your ultimate agreement and most important part of the tenancy agreement terms and rules you agreed and signed, was for you to pays your rent on time. This section of the agreement makes or breaks the relationship who have with your landlord. Your landlord will definitely appreciate you as a tenant. And if you do pay your rent on time, keep doing it as you do not want to get involve in an eviction procedure. It will damage your reputation and credit file.
  • If you think you may not be able to pay your rent on time, you should contact your landlord as soon as possible and let him or her know that you have financial problems. Your landlord can then work with you to address your problems, or possibly allow you to pay it later if you have previously been a good payer. Good communication with your landlord is a better option than just not paying your rent.
  • .

Respectful your neighboured and entourage

  • You must consult your lease about noise requirements/limits for the property if you plane to have a party or gathering. Your landlord will follow the noise limit imposed by the authority on your area and inform you of the regulation laid down. In most area it is usually after 9 or 10 pm which loud noise is not permitted These noise requirements must be respected, and you should avoid playing of loud music and the hosting of noisy parties after the specified time. Above all you should let your landlord know in advance
  • .

Why getting insurance for your belongings is important?

  • You are responsible for the loss or theft of your personal property in the rental. You should protect your belongings by getting insurance, so you are covered in the event of theft or a fire in the building. Personal property insurance can be inexpensive and can be paid monthly to an insurance provider.
  • .

Keep your home clean.

  • You should ensure the property you are living in is kept clean and tidy. A clean-living environment is beneficial for you and your landlord. For you because you create a nice and germ-free environment and for the landlord less worries on maintenance. Avoiding degradation and moist in the home requires frequent cleaning habit.
  • You will appreciate your cleaning commitment when you leave the property and get your full deposit back because you have maintained and clean the home to a good standard.
  • We all know cleaning is not something that most people are good at. If you are not a fanatic cleaner, you may, if you have the finance for it, pay someone to do your cleaning. Or you can make a commitment to clean your accommodation in a regular basis. Or to avoid cleaning constantly after yourself cleaning, you can decide to eat only in the kitchen area or dining room area no matter the circumstances. If you like to eat with the TV on, buy a second small TV in your dining area, so that you do not worry about stains in the carpet, rug or living area.
  • .

Clean up after any pets in the property.

  • If you are permitted to have pets in the rental, such as dog or a cat, be aware that most common problem with living with them requires a constant cleaning commitment. Your pets will shed hair all over the your flat or house. You should get into the habit to vacuum your home twice a week.
  • You should make sure that you clean up after them. Example, a cat should have a letterbox and a dog should be taken outside to do its business. You should make sure you clean and empty the letterbox often. Doing so will keep the property smell free and clean.
  • .

Avoid damage to your rental accommodation.

  • Tenants know that damage to a property will lead to the lost of their deposit or part of it. Consequently, tenant must make every effort to look after the property as they would their own home. The property should be maintained correctly and not damaged in any way.
  • The tenant should carefully read their tenancy agreement and familiarised themselves with the terms and rule laid down by the lease on damages caused to the property and who is responsible for repairs.
  • It is recommended to take pictures or made a video recording of the inside, content and outside the property on the day you move in, to give you a record of how the property looked when you entered the first time. These records will be the blue print and testimony in any dispute over damage later if there is a dispute with your deposit or court action.
  • .

Repairs and maintenance.

  • Do not attempt to repair the property on your own. Contact the landlord so that he can carry out any repairs professionally and to the standard he requires of his property. A good landlord will always be willing to maintain and repair his property.
  • Do not be afraid to contact your landlord about repairs or maintenance, as this is part of their responsibilities. A tenant should not be responsible for doing repairs or maintenance in the property.
  • .

Submit requests to your landlord in writing.

  • All requests to your landlord should be sent by email or text message, to ensure there that you keep a written record of your correspondence. It will also help keep your landlord organized if you always submit requests in writing and keep the request in your records.
  • You may submit written requests for repairs or maintenance. Written requests on other subjects such as having parties or guests staying in the property can also be submitted to the landlord. Try to be open and honest with your landlord, as this will help engender a positive relationship with him/her.
  • .

Ask for adequate notice before the landlord enters the rental.

  • The minimum notice and time required to allow your landlord to enter his property while you still living there is 24 hours. Often, landlords will enter the property to do a professional inspection or to show the property to potential renters or buyers. As a tenant, you should always be notified before these visits occur.
  • You may want to clarify the rules around landlord visits with your landlord when you sign the lease for the property. This will ensure you and the landlord are both clear on the expectations for visits or inspections.
  • .

Move out promptly and with respect.

  • When it is time for you to move out of the property, you should make sure that the premise is clean, damaged-free, dusted and free of bad smell. The property should be left as it was when you moved in. Remember that the landlord will be particularly sensible to anything that does look out of place. He may spend an entire day observing, testing, looking for reasons to hold your deposit back. If you want to recover your entire deposit, you must make sure that you leave the property spotless.
  • You should always give your landlord advance notice before you move out and you should make sure your move out date adheres to your rental agreement. You should arrange a walk around of the property with your landlord on your move out day to ensure that you are both happy with the state of the property.
  • You should use the photographs and recording you made of the property the day you moved in as a guide for how you should leave the property when you move out. Make sure you clean the property to a high standard and remove everything that belongs to you.?