As stressful and time-consuming as moving might be, it can also be exciting as you are moving on to better and greater things. However, as a tenant, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind before you move into your new dream home:

Lease agreement:

You’ve thought about moving for some time, and finally decided it’s time to move out of your current home. But first, make sure to review your lease agreement and familiarise yourself with all the terms and conditions therein. For example, it’s very important to know how long your required notice period is. Once you have familiarised yourself with all the terms and conditions, you will have a much better understanding of what is expected of you before you move out.

Letting your landlord know:

Most lease agreements stipulate that a tenant must give at least one month’s written notice before moving out. So, make sure to prepare your notice and communicate this to your landlord within the appropriate timeframe. In your notice, you can stipulate what date you will be moving out, what you might need in order to restore the property to its original state and you can request your deposit. However, if you plan on cancelling your lease early, make sure to request and receive permission from your landlord prior to moving out. If you don’t do this, legal action can be taken against you.

Inspect the property and fix any damages caused by you:

Depending on your lease agreement, you could be the one responsible for returning the property to its original state before you move out. That is why it is so important to be familiar with the terms and conditions found in your lease agreement. You need to inspect the property and look for any damages that could have been caused by you or damages that occurred while you were occupying the property. Make sure to take care of these damages, otherwise, your landlord could keep your deposit or only pay back a portion of it in order to pay for repairs.

Sort out all accounts linked to your property:

Before moving into your new home, make sure that all accounts linked to your previous home have been cancelled or moved and that you do not owe anything. These accounts include electricity, water, Wi-Fi, TV subscriptions etc. Also, ensure that all your service providers are aware of the move and provide them with your new address.

As a tenant, your home was never really yours, however, it remains your responsibility to ensure that the property is restored to its original state. Think to yourself, “Would I be happy if I received the property in this state?” It is recommended not to overlook these steps, as it will help to make the whole moving process run a lot smoother and you will get your deposit back quicker. It’s a win-win situation for both the tenant and the landlord.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)

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If you consider leasing out your property, it is important not to overlook any requirement and expectations you may have of the incoming tenant. A basic lease agreement should at least have the below stipulated in detail:

1. Basic information

This includes the details of those who are party to the agreement, the address of the property being leased out, and the lease period.

2. A deposit and other fees

The purpose of a deposit is to ensure that, should there be any damages to a property due to the tenant’s fault, they could be repaired without the landlord incurring the expenses or waiting for the tenant to pay for said damages. The deposit amount must be stated in the agreement and is payable to the tenant, after damages have been deducted, when the lease agreement has been terminated.

3. Responsibilities, repairs and maintenance of the premises

Landlords are not able to oversee everything the tenant does, and this is where the responsibility and maintenance clause comes in. If the property’s utilities will be included in the rent, it should be stipulated and not assumed. The general upkeep, such as mowing the lawn or cleaning the pool, must be stated as to whom will be responsible for it. Saying it orally will not suffice because if it is not in writing, it’s easy to challenge it.

4. Subletting and limits on occupancy

All the adults who will be living on the premises should be party to the agreement; their names, details and signatures must be provided. This allows for the landlord to determine who may live on the property and serves as proof that these are the occupants that he/she has approved.

5. Rent payment

If this is not on the lease, then living on the property is obviously free. Unless this is intended, the rent payable must be included in the agreement. In addition, details regarding the amount, date to be paid, acceptable payment methods, and repercussions of failing to meet these requirements, must be included.

6. Termination of lease

The terms that warrant a lease to be terminated must be included in the agreement.

7. Pets

A landlord cannot just assume that a tenant will not have pets. If pets are allowed, descriptive limitations and restrictions must be included as well.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)

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