- The lease
- The rent
- What you do and don't pay
- If the rent goes up
- Inspections
- Eviction
- If you want to leave
- Tips for tenants
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Sooner or later, the time comes to leave home. And while it would be nice to start off with a place of your own, for most of us, renting is the way to go-at least to begin with. Before you take that first step towards independence you'll need to ask yourself a few questions like, where do I want to live? Can I afford the rent? How will I get to work or university from my new place and how long will it take? Would I prefer to live alone or share a place with other people?
Share accommodation is cheaper than getting a place by yourself, and can be great fun. But beware! Sharing with friends has been known to kill friendships!
Tip
Finding a place you're going to be happy in takes time but is worth the effort. Don't go for the first place you see and take a good look around. How noisy is the street? Do you get any natural light? What about parking? What are the neighbours like? Where's the nearest grocery store, bus stop or train station?
The lease
Take the time to read the lease before you sign it. It tells you what you can and can't do and talks about the condition of the property. Most leases last for 6 to 12 months. If you both agree, the landlord may be happy for you to stay on after the lease expires (you also have the option of renewing the lease). You can lease directly from the landlord or go through an estate agent. Estate agents can be easier, but landlords can up to $20 a week cheaper.
The rent
Always pay the rent on time. Don't, and the consequences can be serious. Get two weeks behind with the rent, and you can be evicted on a further two weeks' notice.
What you do and don't pay
| You pay | You don't pay |
|---|---|
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If the rent goes up
Your landlord can put the rent up during the course of the lease, but only if the lease says so. There must be a special added clause which states the rent can be increased and by how much. No special added clause, no rent rise. And you must be informed 60 days beforehand (even if the lease has already come to an end.)
If you don't want to pay more rent
- Write to the landlord and explain why the rent rise is unfair. Talk to a few estate agents. Tell the landlord about the condition your place is in, and rents for other places nearby. If the place next door is cheaper, it might well be that no-one else will be willing to pay the rent rise either. And if the property is left vacant, the landlord will get no rent at all.
- Do a deal with the landlord. Tell the landlord you'll pay the extra rent if the landlord paints the place, or fixes up the bathroom. Remind the landlord that you're good tenants-the next tenants may not be nearly so responsible.
- Go to one of the government tribunals.
Inspections
By law, landlords are only allowed to visit four times a year, and they must let you know seven days in advance-in writing. Your landlord is not allowed to visit on Sundays, public holidays, early mornings, or late at night.
Eviction
You can be evicted if:
- you're more than two weeks behind on the rent
- you keep on breaking the terms and conditions of the lease (eg. noisy parties)
- the lease ends
Before you can be evicted, the landlord has to give two weeks' notice. The notice must be mailed, or handed to you face to face. If the lease has already run out, you must receive even more notice-60 days.
If you want to leave
You can leave whenever you want, but you still pay the rent until someone else moves in (or the lease expires).
- Tell the landlord straight away
- Try to find someone else who can move in.
Tips for tenants
- Put everything in writing and keep all receipts.
- Put everything in everyone's name. Otherwise you could be stuck with other people's debts and bills.
- Think carefully about who you move out with. Good friendships can quickly sour.
- Read the lease. It might look long and intimidating but at least you know where you stand.
