Things to be considered when dealing with landlords

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I have been living in rented houses in many locations, in different countries because I had to change my work place many times. Every time I went to work in a new place I had to  change my house. I have fair amount of experience dealing with landlord. Sometimes they treat you well and they are genuine and reasonable. Sometimes you meet landlords who has no humanity at all. Weather you are dealing  with a good landlord or bad landlord, following best practices will help you to avoid many unpleasant situations in your tenant land lord relationship

Keep Record of what you agreed

I would advise to keep record every important point you agreed since day one and share it with the landlord. This goes from your first discussion to final hand over of the house to the owner.  Anything you agreed in verbally, confirm with an email or a text message and keep it in a record.

Availability of utility internet 

Check the available utilities such as water, electricity internet tv waste management etc. before hand and contact the suppliers to know any issue of providing that service to your new house. Take the meter reading of any existing utility at the time you taking over.

Agree the terms and Conditions.

It is very important to agree the terms and conditions before you moving in and record them properly. Some important  points that need to be agreed; The rent amount, Payment mechanism, Security Payment amount, who do the repairs and maintenance, contract duration, notice period etc. Finally signed the Contract and keep a copy of both parties signed Contract with you.

Keep a record of payment 

Keep a record of payment and get the acknowledgement if possible. If you are paying it by cash get the  landlord or agent's signature. If you are making bank transfer share your bank transaction evidence in an email or text message  every time and keep a record. Get the acknowledgment of security payment and keep it safe to show when you  ask it back.

Record the condition of the house.

To avoid disputes in later stage, record the existing condition of the house in details jointly. Prepare a list of every house hold items, take pictures and record any visible defect and hand over a copy of it to the landlord as a record. In my experience many landlords do not bother about house condition or a condition of household items at the time they hand over the house to you but when it come to taking over they expect everything in perfect condition. 

Inform every simple issue with related to house to the landlord

You are living in someone else house and that property does not belong to you. Hence any issue arise related to house while you are living in you must report to the landlord first.  I would recommend to inform even minor issues such as braking a door handle, water leak or malfunctioning equipment etc.

Inform landlord any issue that bother you.

If you find any problem that you are not happy in the house, better you let the landlord know it. Issues such as leaks, noises, odour etc. He may be in a better position to find a solution to it.

Ask for changes

If your circumstances or surrounding has been changed, don't hesitate to discuss with the Landlord. For example, if the house is not affordable to you because of temporarily redundant in work place, or you find properties surround you are cheaper than your current house, first check with your landlord whether he can reduce your rent. Still it might be best option for him to keep you with less rent than negotiating with another tenant. Win win situation for both parties.

Hand Over

Finally, when it comes you hand over the house to the landlord, inform him in advance the date that you are going to leave the house. Take your all belongings , properly arrange the items that belongs to landlord, and clean the house. If there is anything that damaged by you, inform the landlord and repair or agree with him  Prepare a list of any issues  in the house and give it to the landlord. Let him know any exiting utility contract and outstanding bills and record all the meter readings jointly and settle them before you leave. Handover him any important keys, pins etc. Ask landlord to check everything and if everything is in order ask your security deposit back.

These are few best practices I listed based on my experience. If you have anything to add based on your experience please note it in the comments.

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