There are terms you need to look out for before you sign a lease or rental agreement. That’s because if you’re not careful enough, chances are, the landlord or landlady will definitely mistake you for a foolhardy tenant who would agree on anything put on paper.
Specific terms and provisions are red flags. If you see them on the lease or rent agreement, it means you are in a place where the landlord is exploitative so it would be best to just go and look for a different place to rent or lease. Be wary of terms that involve money.
These terms are the following:
- Shared utility meters. Don’t agree on this. Always pay for a bill with your name on it. That way you can make sure you’re only paying for what you consume.
- Automatic rent increases. This right here is a red flag and downright illegal. A landlord cannot raise a rent especially on unjustifiable cause. If the landlord increases your rent for taxes, operating costs, or on utilities, that’s a sign that you’re in for a bad haul.
- New rules that may arise in the future. Do not agree to this as this has the capacity to turn your world upside down in the future if the landlord decides to suddenly establish a new rule.
- Absolution of the landlord in advance for liability on carelessness.
- Allowed unrestricted entry. Again, it’s your divine right to enjoy an undisturbed or peaceful living while you’re renting a place. If the landlord disturbs this, it is classified as an unreasonable intrusion to a rented property, which is, by the way, an offense.
Don’t sign a paper with blank spaces that needs to be filled because your landlord can easily just add anything to it later. Be very careful with anything that is put on paper. Make sure your rights are not violated. If you’re not sure and you’re suspicious of a lease or rent agreement, you can always call a lawyer so you can be guided and your rights will be guarded.
