Tenant's rights

Looking for a property to rent at any time can be hassle. Not only do you have to think about finding a suitable and habitable property, you also have to consider what you can afford and whether or not an area suits your requirements in terms of location.

In addition to this you have to be aware of your rights as a tenant and what to expect from your landlord in respect of his duties towards you.

Once you have found a suitable property there are many questions to be answered as well as knowing that you are entering into an agreement, be it oral or written, with your landlord. It is a good idea to have a checklist highlighting your specific requirements.

That way you can take your time over deciding what your needs are and then when you get to the property you know exactly what you want.

Some people will look to letting agencies in order to find suitable private accommodation to rent, while others simply find their property in classified ads in newspapers or the internet. Whatever you choose, the outcome is the same. You will abide by the general terms and conditions of the rental agreement which are set out in order to protect both you as a tenant, and the landlord as the owner of the property.

The first thing to establish is the nature of the lease to which you are agreeing. Take you time reading over the letting agreement between you and your landlord. Normally a security deposit will be required, this is in the event of any damage (except usual wear and tear) to the property. It is important to have a receipt for this payment and to ensure that its payment is recorded in your rent book so that there is no confusion at the end of the lease.

In addition to this you should also (with the landlord) make an inventory of the contents of the property and where there is any damage to the contents at the onset, (i.e.: a hole in the carpet) make sure to have this noted so that you will not be held responsible for the cost of its' repair/replacement.

As a tenant you should be able to enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with your landlord. If there are any needs that you have while in the property such as repair of a faulty appliance, heating etc notify your landlord as soon as you become aware of the problem. This will give them the opportunity to deal with the matter and have the situation rectified at a time and date which is suitable to both parties. There is no benefit to holding back rent until these problems are fixed. This will only serve to place you in position where you have not upheld you side of the rental agreement.

Of course, you are required to maintain your rented property in a fashion that will not damage the property or infringe on the enjoyment of others in adjoining properties. Your landlord must make you aware of any occasions where he or she may wish to enter the property and must give you adequate notice and obtain your consent prior to entering the property.

It is also a good idea as a tenant to establish what type of insurance cover is in place on the property. Find out if any of your personal contents will be covered and what you need to do should you require additional cover in respect of valuable personal items.

You should also get a reading in respect of all bills that you will be liable for. Make sure that accounts of previous tenants are cleared and that you are taking on the property with a clear slate in respect of outstanding monies owing. You should only be liable for your bills, not those incurred by tenants of the past. If a landlord has provided a television in the property, establish who is responsible for the licensing of it.

Knowing your entitlements and indeed your obligations as a tenant will make your rented property feel like your own. Have all aspects in relation to payment of rent clearly set out and have a rent payment method in place which suits both you and your landlord. If you are unsure of any aspect of your tenancy, have them explained to you prior to entering into an agreement. Oral and written agreements are both legally binding, but it is often advisable to keep a written record of all dealings to avoid confusion or cross wires.

When you move into your accommodation you should be able to enjoy it as if it was your own and having all these issues resolved prior to your move will make that possible.