SMART SOCHO: Planning to rent? Here's what you need to know

Rental accommodation. A term most of us are familiar with having lived in one at some point of our lives, for many others it continues to be the mainstay of their existence as they pursue their professional dreams and career aspirations in metro cities, even while dreaming of one day owning a house of their own.

While finding rental accommodation is a task in itself, zeroing in a potential rental flat/apartment that appeals to both our taste and budget is just half the battle won. The other half involves the completion of all the paperwork and procedures involved before we can finally move in and heave sigh of relief.

The rental or lease agreement is the cornerstone of any rental property transaction. It contains all the terms and conditions of the agreement between the owner and the tenant, the financial details, tenure and basic ground rules often set by the owner of the property.

From a tenant's perspective it therefore becomes imperative to be well-educated on the inclusions that make up a typical rental agreement. Not only will this help avoid any unnecessary confusion at a later stage but will also ensure that both parties are completely in sync with all the terms and conditions governing the transaction, prior to its registration.

Here are a few handy tips that will help smoothen the entire process for you;

Do your due diligence:
This is the first step in the rental process. Take time out to recon the locality where you intend to rent a flat. Verify important details like ease of connectivity, power and water supply, availability social infrastructure, educational and healthcare facilities in the neighborhood and so on.

If a physical visit is not possible, go online to find out the details. These days most property portals also provide detailed location/area analysis/reviews of most popular rental destinations across most cities. Once all these boxes have been ticked, undertake a detailed inspection of the shortlisted properties and select the one that meets your specific requirements better than the others.

Have the documents ready:
This is step two. It's always advisable to ensure that all the relevant documents - Id proof, employment details, proof of income, references (if required) - are ready prior to your meeting with the property owner. Having all the required documentation at hand has been known to help close deals faster, more so when there is no dearth of tenants for the landlord to choose from.

Insist on a written agreement;
A rental agreement is a legal document that needs to be registered. Always insist on a written document making sure that all the terms and conditions agreed upon are clearly listed therein. Do not make the mistake of opting for a casual verbal pact, even if the owner is a friend or is known to you, since words can often be misconstrued leading to unnecessary arguments which may jeopardize your stay at the premises.

Verify original documents;
The landlord is obliged to let you examine certain key documents pertaining to his ownership of the said premises. This includes the Title deed (confirming his ownership of the flat/apartment), share certificate (if the flat is part of a co-op society), electricity bill (must be in the owner's name preferably) and a NOC (clearly outlining special terms and conditions like No Dogs, No Non-Vegetarian food etc).

Be well versed with the clauses:
Understanding the contents and various clauses incorporated in a rental agreement is a vital requirement for any tenant. A tenant can always opt for legal advice from an expert once the broad outline of all the terms and conditions are agreed upon between him and the landlord.

Points that need to be rechecked include the tenure of the lease, return of the security deposit and protection of your privacy. A nosy landlord who keeps barging into your premises on some pretext or the other can lead to an uncomfortable situation. It's always better therefore to know what your rights are in matters like this, which can guide you towards taking the appropriate action if such a situation occurs.

Maintenance and misc costs:
Simply put the tenant is responsible for all repairs and minor irritants once he moves into the home. However it's the landlord's moral duty to ensure that he hands over the premises in a ready-to-move-in condition. This means that the flat/apartment is ready for its new occupants in terms of the condition of its interiors (paint, cross-ventilation, fixtures, electrical outlets & appliances (if any).

Any minor repairs that need to be carried out prior to the tenant moving in are the landlord's responsibility. This may include giving the place a fresh coat of paint, minor electrical and plumbing repairs, tiling alignment, making sure that the power and water supply is adequate and so on.

Open communication is key:
Once you have moved in, keeping all the channels of communication between you and your landlord is of vital importance. Don't limit your contact with him only to make complaints about what's wrong with his home, try to develop a rapport, invite him over sometimes, initiate a conversation. Not only will this ensure a healthy relationship between the two of you, he may even overlook a slight delay in your rent payments once in a while.

How to handle an eviction notice:
Knowingly breaking any key clause mentioned in your agreement may force your landlord to issue you with an eviction notice. Needless to add if there is substance in his argument, there is very little you can do about it. Talking things over may help, but don't get your hopes up. It's best to minimize the damage and look for alternate accommodation in such a scenario.