What the landlord pays and what the tenant pays.
Are you going to rent an apartment? Avoid problems and don’t take the risk. Find out what the landlord pays or what is the responsibility of the tenant.
When the contract is signed and the keys delivered. The rent is up and the hard part begins: the distance between landlord and tenant. Each one must assume some costs, but it is not always clear how to distribute them. These are the most frequent controversies.
THE CONTRACT RULES.
Reading the lease before signing is essential: what you put there is what counts. The law imposes fewer rules, but it applies in that does not require the contract.
Unless the lease contract states something different, the expenses are shared as follows:
-The landlord: pays the council tax, the community rates, the rubbish collection, the house insurance and maintenance insurance (boiler …).
-Tenant: pays everything can be measured with individual meters (water, electricity, gas, telephone …).
IF SOMETHING BREAKS.
-Tenant: pays the damages that he or his visits caused to the rented accommodation (eg a glass). For these unforeseen problems it is better to hire a special tenant insurance. The tenant also takes care of small expenses of everyday use: changing a light bulb or the washing machine door, fixing the toilet flush or the blinds …
-Landlord: pays the washing machine repair, the boiler, etc. He is not responsible of this when there is minimal damage (a light, a filter …) or if it is proved that it is the tenant’s fault.
The tenant is responsible of a noise complaint. A flood may be the fault of the tenant because he left the water pipes open water).
THE BEST ADVICE: NEGOTIATE WITHOUT A FIGHT.
-Landlord: You’ll sleep better if you hire a good insurance. Being stingy with small things can turn out expensive: today a tenant who is a good payer is a treasure. Remember that every house has needed repairs that should take care of.
-Tenant: if the owner sees that you pay on time and take care of your home, he will be much more receptive when negotiating your rent.
Are you willing to rent a property? Do not take the risk. Do not sign papers that might harm you.