Faced with the purchase of a property, the simple signing of a rental contract appears to be a much less risky solution. However, if you are embarking on such a project, you need to check a few things to make sure you are making the right decision. As soon as you sign the lease, you are a tenant and you must pay the rent: be sure that the housing meets all your expectations and that the contract protects you properly before formulating a final agreement!
Give yourself a period of reflection and seek some information
Often, the rental of a property is concluded in a few hours, because the particularly tight market does not leave the opportunity to think it over. However, before committing yourself to a rental, we recommend that you take the time to weigh the pros and cons, to rent a property that meets your needs, in a neighbourhood that you like and whose environment meets your expectations. Sometimes, it only takes a few hours to interview one or two neighbours, search for neighbourhood information on the Internet, call a relative for advice. If possible, try to negotiate this short reflection period at the time of the visit!
“It only takes a few hours to interview one or two neighbours, search for neighbourhood information on the Internet, call a relative for advice. »
Find our ads on:
Check that the dwelling is habitable
Some details may escape you when you read an announcement or visit a property for the first time. But you can’t miss them when you sign the lease. In concrete terms, the owner must provide you with a healthy home, with the minimum conditions of habitability and security, in a good state of general maintenance. If you think that you cannot, as things stand at present, fully enjoy the housing and live decently, express your doubts immediately. Some less diligent landlords postpone essential work: avoid engaging with these people, at the risk of finding yourself very quickly in delicate situations (breakdowns, damage to materials, etc.).
Read all clauses carefully
If your lease does not contain the clauses required by law, it can be considered to be a “null contract”. Look for all the information relating to the landlord (name, address), which must be indicated. In addition, the dwelling must be precisely identified (type of dwelling, number of rooms), and you must find the monthly rent and the terms of the annual review. In parallel, the lease indicates the amount of the security deposit and the destination of the property (main residence, professional or mixed use, etc.). Of course, your landlord must express the duration of the contract and the instructions for terminating it (duration of the notification period).
On the other hand, certain terms considered unfair deserve particular attention. Any information related to your personal convictions (political, religious) is illegal. You should also know that the landlord cannot require a levy of rent on your salary. Finally, he/she should not require you to enter into rental contracts for your equipment.
“Any information related to your personal convictions (political, religious) is illegal. »
Before signing a lease with a private individual, if you have the slightest doubt, ask a real estate professional to avoid any risk. And even when you rent with an agency, always check all the terms of the lease, to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises in the short or medium term.
