No matter what situation you are in, it’s always good to know your rights to avoid getting used or taken advantage of by people. When you have the right information, you feel confident tackling any issue and you will be in a better position to advocate for your interests.
Knowing your basic
rights as a tenant will help you get out of any controversial situations that
may arise. The topic of tenant rights is an important one for both the tenants
and landlords. If the tenant is not happy, that means there is something wrong
with the property, and as a landlord, you need to rectify the issue as soon as
possible. Your rights as a tenant begin from the time you start looking
for a house to the moment you have safely secured your deposit once you decide
to move out from that house.
Below are some of the
basic rights you should be aware of as a tenant and never compromise on them if
you want to lead a happy life. We will break them down into 3 sections: when
you are searching when you move in and when you move out of the house.
Tenant Rights When
Searching For A House
Some people don’t know
that their rights begin at this stage. During this time, you have an equal
right to live in any place that you want without being discriminated against.
The tenant harassment comes in many forms. He should not
prohibit you from staying in a particular area based on your age, sex,
religion, nationality, race, colour, physical and mental stability or even your
family status( whether you have children or not). Even though there are places
that are gender-specific, knowing your rights will help you to argue this point
if you come across a landlord who denies you to move into his property.
During the screening
process, the landlord might run a background check on you to see whether you
can pay for rent and also check your credit score. It is not legal for
landlords to have different conditions for different people because they are
trying to discriminate against you. For instance, they shouldn’t make you pay a
higher rent because of your religion or the fact that you have children.
Tenant Rights When
You Move In
This is one of the
important areas where you need to know your rights as a tenant. If you don’t
you will find yourself clashing with your landlord when you raise an issue with
the property. Make sure you read the fine print in your tenancy agreement before
signing it.
Right to Live in a
Habitable House
You have the right to
be in a place that’s comfortable and liveable. The landlord should make sure
that his property is in good condition and make it easier for you to live
there. For example, if there is a problem with the wiring, water supply,
lighting or electricity, he needs to fix them either before you move in or make
sure that it is sorted as soon as possible.
Right to
Maintenance
If you come across
anything that is broken and needs fixing, it is your right as a tenant to make
a maintenance request to have it sorted by the landlord. He should make all the
necessary repairs when you make a request from him. Avoid making major repairs
on your own because the landlord may not want any changes done on his property.
This might reduce your deposit amount when you decide to move out. However, if
it is a small repair, you can always do it on your own.
Right to Privacy
Once you move in, the
landlord can’t enter your property without your consent. It doesn’t matter what
they are trying to do, they need to have your permission before they can access
your house. The only exception would be if there is an emergency such as a
fire.
Right to Safety
Your safety is of
utmost importance no matter where you are staying. The landlord should make
sure that the doors, windows and locks work properly to ensure your safety. If
you want to add extra locks, you have the right to do so.
Tenant Rights When
You Move Out
Right to Get Your
Deposit Back
At the end of your
lease, you have the right to get
back your deposit. The duration your landlord might take to return it will
depend on what it states in your tenancy agreement. If the landlord doesn’t
return the full amount, you can request a list of how the other portion was
spent.
Right to Know Cause
of Eviction
If the landlord
decides to send you an eviction notice, you have the right to know the reason behind the tenant eviction especially if it is
not stated in your lease agreement. If there is a problem, the landlord should
inform you of it so that you can try to fix it before serving you notice.
Right To End Your
Lease Agreement
If you no longer want
to continue residing in your house, you have the right to move out and serve
notice. Either party can end the lease depending on what is in the tenancy
agreement. If you are not happy with where you stay or the landlord is not
listening to your requests, you can always move out. Don’t be afraid to make
that change, because after all, you’re the one paying rent.
Lastly, knowing your rights as a tenant will help you solve issues you might experience in your house and make you live comfortably. Tenancy agreements vary, therefore, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to take some time to read and understand it.