Many renters are under the false impression that they have more rights than they actually do. When looking for houses for rent hong kong, it’s always important to know your legal rights.
The Worst Mistake You Can Make
Unless you read the fine print in the lease contract, your rental agreement may not provide for all of the remedies you want if something goes wrong with the property you are renting. Some landlords might try to offer extra protections or fail to tell tenants about problems with their homes in order to get them signed up as residents and make more money from them later on. You need to know what is and isn’t covered when looking for property for rent hong kong so you can protect yourself from making bigger decisions later on down the line.
What is covered in your lease?
When renting a property, you have rights as a tenant. However, when you sign the lease agreement, you are agreeing to follow the rules and regulations dictated by your landlord. Many of these rules and regulations are printed on the lease you sign. When reading over your rental agreement, make sure that you know what promises your landlord is making to you for paying rent each month and what landlords expect in return from their renters.
Some of the measures that landlords may take include:
- A clause that guarantees the property is sound, secure, and in good condition. This protection can last for up to 4 years.
- A condition that promises the property will be aesthetically pleasing and reasonably clean during your stay. This usually includes keeping it free of stains, odors, and dirt.
- A clause that states a renter will not damage the property in anyway while renting it or during vacating it at the end of the lease term.
- A clause that clearly defines your responsibilities as a renter with regards to paying any bills or repairs because you caused problems in the rented home (e.g., broken window).
- A clause that states the renter will not cause a nuisance or disturb the neighbors while renting the property.
If your landlord fails to mention any of these measures in your rental agreement, don’t be afraid to negotiate with them. Often, landlords may add onto your lease contract if you request it. Most of the time, you can get these protections added on as a new paragraph at the end of your lease agreement and change it to suit what you need.
- A clause that defines whether or not you have permission to make any changes to the property while renting it or not (e.g., adding on extensions).
