Q&A about renting house?

[Kelpie]

Hi guys,

 

1. I've no experience in renting a place before. Apart from agents' talks, would like to find out from the gurus here about the do's and don'ts of renting?

 

2. Is it true that the market norm for rental is at least a year? Can demand to use or don't use landlord furnitures and get them to move out? Can demand landlord not holding any keys and all visitation must have prior arrangement?

 

3. What are consider as wear and tear items in a rented place? You know lah, those wooden floorings are prone to scratches and things like that? How about faulty air-con, can demand landlord to pay after repair? Can a landlord transfer voting rights to a tenant?

 

Please advise me. Thank you very much.

 

Regards,

[Nolicense]

1. I've no experience in renting a place before. Apart from agents' talks, would like to find out from the gurus here about the do's and don'ts of renting?

 

do have a contract with option to continue if want. do check the place throughly to determine repairs and what you will be responsible and not resonsible for.

 

2. Is it true that the market norm for rental is at least a year? Can demand to use or don't use landlord furnitures and get them to move out? Can demand landlord not holding any keys and all visitation must have prior arrangement?

 

yes 1 year, but depends on what you need. can demand not to use furniture, thats your choice. but you can negotiate if it is beneficial to you. landlord should not have the keys, but you can use extra locks.

visit must be arranged with you.

 

3. What are consider as wear and tear items in a rented place? You know lah, those wooden floorings are prone to scratches and things like that? How about faulty air-con, can demand landlord to pay after repair? Can a landlord transfer voting rights to a tenant?

 

toilet, windows, etc, depending on your move in condition. if it is useable, like wooden flooring, then no change. if condition is bad like termites, get it rectified b4 move in, otherwise you will have to pay for it. if aircon faulty, ask landlord change/repair b4 you agree to the contract. or you can negotiate he take care of the aircon, but pay higher rent lah. voting right? if condo, then the tenancy is still to title holder, not you.

[Alcapone]

I think the landlord should hold a set of keys. Otherwise, how does the landlord enters the premise in case of emergency?

[Porker]

2. Norm is one year lease agreement. There are short term agreements but the rates will be adjusted upwards. Yes you can choose not to use the furniture (remember to bargain downwards since its not furnished). Landlord will usually hold a set of keys.

 

3. Wear and tear items include light bulbs and tubes and other perishable items. You're supposed to sign an air-con maintenance contract and get it serviced regularly. The landlord is liable to repair otherwise. Voting rights cannot be transferred to tenants.

 

Hope its useful.

[Ultramega]

1. One of the most important "Do's" is write down whatever fixtures in the house and get the landlord to sign (ie, the inventory list).

 

Must be super specific..eg:

Brand: Bosch

Model: ABC123

Description: water with 5 heat options, come with 2 meter shower hose and shower head with massaging effect.

 

Those who simply write "1 x water heater" is exposing themselves to potential trouble.

 

2. There is no fixed mimimum period of rental. Depends on the landlord. He has every right to set his own minimum period that he likes since he owns the property.

 

Can request but not demand the furniture to be moved out. Again, it's the landlord's property and he has the final say, you can't demand since it's not yours.

 

As for keys, it should be stated somewhere in the rental agreement that the landlord has the right to enter the house to claim the house back and kick the tenants out in extreme cases (eg, house used for illegal activities). So landlord has the right to hold a set of keys. It should also be stated that the landlord need to get permission from tenant before entering the house in normal circumstances...if it's not stated, don't sign.

 

3. Wear and tear... write down (and take pictures if necesary) all the faults into the inventory list. Anything not in the list will be tenant's responsibility to fix. Simple as that. But of cos some wear and tear like sofa leather colour lightened due to old age is deemed as "normal" and "acceptable". very hard to explain in words.

 

Voting rights...not sure.

 

Hope it helps.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Ultramega

[Hosaybo]

Just to add:

 

Rental mkt pretty good so unless the house comes with nothing in the first place, the landlord wil be unwilling to move his furniture (extra cost, lower rent). Might as well rent it to someone else who wants the unit furnish.