For the maintenance of amenities that are available for usage by the residents of the society, a maintenance charge is levied to all the residents. Ordinarily, the tenant pays the maintenance fees for the usage of such facilities by him. These services include housekeeping, landscaping, security, power-backup management, common area maintenance, sewage treatment, etc.

However, sometimes the parties enter into an agreement where the owner of the property pays the maintenance on a monthly basis and the tenant pays the amount to the owner in lumpsum. This lump sum amount would include the rent amount and maintenance charges. As mentioned in the rental agreement between the parties, either the owner or the tenant may pay the maintenance fees. Some of the owners prefer their tenants to pay the maintenance charges in lieu of lower or same rent.

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Do you pay for amenities in apartments?

Generally, it is observed that multi-story apartments have certain amenities that are provided in the gated community, such as a swimming pool, gym, clubhouse, etc. Developers charge an extra amount for the use of these amenities. Since these amenities are community and commercial facilities, the owners are charged a monthly maintenance fee for upholding the standards of societal living and maintenance of such facilities.

Typically, common areas in a housing society are all community and commercial facilities and may include swimming pools, staircases, elevators, lobbies, fire escapes, common entrances and exits, basements, terraces, parks, play areas, water tanks, etc. Basically, every part of your housing society, be it the park or the lobby, the community center or the pool, the elevators, or the children’s playground, is maintained using the money you pay on a month-on-month basis.

How can I get an apartment with no rental history?

As first time tenant, people often face difficulty in exhibiting to the landlord that they would prove to be a good and reliable tenant, especially in the absence of references.

A few ways in which first-time tenants can show potential landlords about their reliability are –

  • Showing that the person has a stable income – The presence of a stable source of income proves to be a beneficial factor in showing the landlord that the person would not default in the payment of the rent.
  • Having a guarantor co-sign the lease – a parent or any other person can co-sign the lease, and act as a guarantor in case the person fails to pay rent to the tenant.
  • Paying in advance – Payment of rent in advance, for two to three months, shows to the landlord that the person is financially stable and is capable of paying the rent as well as maintaining the property with a certain amount of care.

What documents do I need to rent an apartment?

The creation of a rent agreement between the landlord and the tenant is a long and arduous process, as it is important for both parties to be aware of the documents that are required. Landlords should ask for the following documents before giving the tenants the property on rent –

  • Identity/address profit is imperative for the landlord to keep a copy of identity proof and address proof of the tenants. Also, if the landlords are renting the property out to students, it is important to ask for parents/local guardians’ contact details, in order to have a contact number in cases of emergency.
  • Police verification: It is essential to get verification of no pending cases against the tenant, which can be done at the closest police station to the rented property. The landlord will have to fill out a form and attach the identification proof of the tenants. The police will also visit the rented premises in order to verify in-person.
  • Work Details: If the landlord has office-goers as a tenant, it is necessary to keep their employer details on record. This is another way of tenant verification and to ensure that the tenant has a stable job and means to pay the rent on time.

What are the steps to renting an apartment?

The process of renting a good home involves dealing with brokers, landlords, and reading through all the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, which can prove to be a long and tiring task.

When people finally discover a home that they want to rent after many trips to the neighborhood, they are usually in a hurry to move in. However, before moving in, it is important to consider certain things to ensure that they stay in the house pleasantly.

Asking questions relating to the payment of the rent, maintenance amount, keeping of pets in the premises, etc is an important part of renting property. This process ensures that all confusions are cleared between the two parties in order to avoid future miscommunications. The following are a few steps that can be followed before renting an apartment –

  • Research well about the locality –

Choosing a locality which is near to the workplace or college saves not only commute time but also the traveling cost. However, proximity to social infrastructures like markets, bank branches, hospitals, etc, is also essential, in order to maximize the convenience of the person renting the property.

  • Reading the rent agreement thoroughly –

The rent agreement must always be read with extreme prudence and precaution in order to avoid disputes and problems in the future, and provide clarity on the term of the contract, etc.

  • The tenant should be aware of their rights –

Knowledge of limited rights granted to the tenant by the rent agreement is a must in order to maintain transparency between the two parties. The landlord cannot interfere with the manner in which the tenant wishes to live in the premises of the property.

  • Consider the overall cost –

A monthly amount is not the only money that the tenants would have to pay while shifting to rented accommodation. They will have to incur other expenses such as security deposit, advance rent, broker’s fee, etc., before shifting into the property.

  • Checking the premises of the property –

The tenant should check the electrical fixtures of the property before shifting in. The taps and switches should be in working condition. There should be seepage inside the house.

  • Read meters –

Always verify and note down the readings on the electric meter before renting the apartment, in order to maintain accuracy in the bills.

  • Asking the neighbors –

Neighbors are the best people to give the right opinion about the house, locality and the landlord. It is necessary to talk to them before shifting into the rented property.

  • Checking the windows and doors –

In order to ensure safety at home, it is important to check the doors, locks and windows of the property. Before finalizing a place, it is necessary to check for any faults that need to be repaired.

What are the essential parts of a rental agreement?

The following are the bare minimum that has to be present in order to be considered as a rental agreement –

  • Parties –

The lessor and lessee are the two parties to a lease, commonly referred to as the landlord and the tenant.

  • The subject matter of the lease –

The subject matter of the lease should be immovable property, including not only the house property but also the rights that are available to the person living in the property.

  • Duration of the lease –

The rental agreement must explicitly mention the amount of time for which the right to the enjoyment of the property is being transferred. The lease should commence either in the present or on some date in the future or on the happening of some contingency, which is bound to happen.

  • Consideration –

The rent paid to the landlord in the consideration for the lease, which is to be paid regularly till the expiry of the lease.

  • Conditions –

The lease may contain certain conditions that have to be followed by the tenant. If the tenant fails to follow any of the conditions that have been given in the lease agreement, the landlord has the right to evict the tenant from the property premises.

Conclusion

A rental property may offer several amenities; however, it is up to the tenant to decide the amenities that are considered important to him/her. Amenities such as the location of the rental property, budget of the tenant, renovations that have been undertaken in the rented property, parking facilities, security, etc are a few factors that tenants take into consideration before taking a property on rent. An adequate supply of water in the building is also a major concern for many tenants.