Eager about signing the tenancy agreement of your new home? Hold on. We know it feels super exciting to get that deal closed and snag yourself what you think is a great price but there are eight crucial things you need to verify and consider before you sign the lease.

The Ultimate Checklist for Signing a Tenancy Agreement

Finding your ideal rental apartment is challenging but once you’ve found your dream home, do not seal the deal immediately without reading the tenancy agreement carefully. If you’ve spent weeks and even months looking for the best place to live, the tenancy agreement deserves deep consideration and thorough research too.

Tenancy agreements must not only be taken seriously by first-time renters, experienced renters can get tripped up too. Each landlord has their own set of conditions, clauses, etc. and even if you’ve rented multiple apartments, you must not take the contract of your new home lightly.

Here are the eight most important things you need to cross-check before moving into your rental property.

1. Don’t Neglect Any Information

People often check the major details and the personal information listed in the agreement but neglect caring about the small ones. These can often end up with them regretting their decision later on. While signing your agreement, you must:

• Ensure that you check the duration of your tenancy carefully
• Check the rent agreed, and also that there are no hidden costs, taxes, etc.
• Verify that the contract and the landlord’s copy is the same
• Check that all the agreed repairs are listed,
• Know that general wear and tear is accepted after you move in (you may repair minor faults on your own but be assured to know that all major faults are your landlord’s responsibility, as specified by tenants rights) 

2. Ensure Your Deposit Is Protected

Almost all landlords ask the tenants to deposit approximately one month’s rent before moving in to ensure security in case of damage to the property or late rent. However, you must check that your landlord registers your deposits with a government-backed deposit protection scheme so that your amount is protected until you reside.

3. Don’t Forget the Bill Agreement

If you’ve agreed to pay a collective bill for your rent along with electricity bills via a smart meter, gas, Wi-Fi, etc., you must cross-check that it is properly mentioned in the clause. Resooma Bills is one of the biggest service providers for shared housing and ensures you don’t have to stress about finding your ideal property while hassling for reasonably priced electricity, gas, water, Wi-Fi, etc. later. 

4. Obligations of Both Parties Must Be Listed

Your tenancy agreement must mention the rights and responsibilities of both – the landlord and the tenant. The landlord is sure to list the obligations on your part such as taking good care of the apartment, paying the rent timely, repairing the damage done (if any), etc. However, the tenancy agreement must also list that the landlord cannot unfairly evict you, especially without prior notice. It must also list detailed clauses about your deposits, safety, and comfort.

5. Read the Forbidden Activities Carefully

Before signing the contract, you must ensure you carefully read about the prohibited activities. For instance, some apartments don’t allow keeping pets, sharing the apartment, or smoking inside. So, if you want to move in with anyone or have any issues with the forbidden activities listed, make sure you know about it beforehand.

6. Ensure the Furnishings Are Listed

To avoid any kind of issues with your own furniture when it’s time to move to another apartment or prevent any disputes of missing furnishings make sure your tenancy agreement lists all the furnishing provided by the landlord at the time you move in. If you want to save money on renting, it is a good idea to opt for a partly-furnished property rather than a luxurious one. 

7. Ensure that the Deadlines & Notices are Listed

Sometimes, the tenancy agreements don’t mention the deadline for paying monthly rents, terms of tenancy, and notice period for escalation, eviction, maintenance, etc. This creates disputes when such situations arise. Hence, you must ensure that the notice period for all types of circumstances along with the deadlines for late rents due to any issues must be properly mentioned.

8. Be Assured That There is No Discrimination

Last but not least, ensure that your tenancy agreement safeguards you against any discrimination based on sex, colour, caste, creed, etc. In case this clause is missing, do not hesitate to highlight this issue to your landlord and get the agreement edited.

The Bottom Line

We hope we helped you understand the eight most crucial things to know before signing your tenancy agreement. Do not be impatient to sign the legal contract hurriedly and most importantly, don’t take it lightly. A tenancy agreement can be confusing and you must take your time to get everything clear before you sign it.