If you’ve come to this article, you’re probably looking for a house to rent and want to know about your rights and duties as a tenant.
In fact, a rental contract isn’t just about receiving a property: it’s about looking after it in the best possible way, taking on various responsibilities, such as paying the monthly rent on time or keeping the appliances in working order. These are obligations that you take on at the time of signing and that you have to maintain throughout the duration of the contract
But what are these obligations? What information do I need to take into account? H URB, in collaboration with our partner portal SUPERCASA, has some tips for you.
First things first: finding the right property!
Whether it’s a house, a flat or a shop, you need to be clear about your present and future needs, as well as your current economic situation. All these factors are assessed by the landlord of the property (we’ve already explained how the rent for a property should be calculated here on the blog ).
Do some sorting
Search daily on the websites of estate agents, such as H URB, or on property portals such as SUPERCASA or CASASAPO. Use all the possible search tools, clearly defining what you want, from the type of property to the characteristics (whether it’s furnished or has a fitted kitchen, for example). By clearly defining what you’re looking for, you’ll receive more precise results that can then be refined to find the ideal property. Several of these sites allow you to receive alerts when new classified properties come on the market, allowing you to receive the best opportunities in real time, taking into account what you are looking for.
If you wish, you can choose to contact estate agents by other means (telephone, social media, in person).
Set a maximum budget
When you “look around” the market, you’ll find opportunities at all prices. That’s why you should define the maximum rent you can afford. Ifyou find a property that’s beyond your means, think about whether it’s worth paying that amount, not least because the rent shouldn’t exceed an effort rate of around 35% of your monthly budget.
Define a range of values and enter this data into the search you are making: this will help refine the search further and give you even more accurate results.
Near or far?
Another aspect you can’t overlook is location. Are you looking for a house near work? The kids’ school? The park? The beach? Bear in mind that the location considerably affects the rent asked by the landlord, so you have to weigh up the pros and cons of that location: remember that you may incur other expenses, such as the fuel you’ll spend to get around, a transport pass or, in the case of flats without a garage, the purchase of a resident’s permit or a parking space fee.
See the property with your own eyes
Once you’ve found the property(ies) you like best, ask for information and arrange a face-to-face visit with the seller/owner/consultant. This step is essential to confirm certain aspects that may not be visible in promotional materials, such as the property’s state of repair.
Clarify any doubts directly with those responsible, such as the need for a guarantor, equipment left in the property and whether or not you can have pets.
The time for the contract
Now that you’ve chosen the right house, it’s time to proceed with the contract.
The process of drawing up the contract requires approval from the owner of the property. Be as transparent as possible, providing information without embargo during this evaluation process. If you feel that any request for documentation/information goes beyond your privacy, talk to the landlord/consultant about it: explain your fears and ask why you are being asked for this information, opting for a respectful behaviour that should be mutual.
Once everything has been approved by the landlord, it’s time to sign the contract. Ask for a preliminary version of the contract to be sent to you so that you can calmly analyse all the related aspects and check that the contract has all the necessary legal documentation:
- Condominium regulations (if applicable);
- Identification of the owner;
- Land registry certificate;
- Caderneta predial;
- Licence to use;
- Energy certificate;
- Compulsory fire risk insurance.
The contract should also make clear the obligations of each party during the term:
- Identification and details of the landlord and tenant;
- Amount of rent and method of payment (if by bank transfer, the contract may include the IBAN of the account to which the transaction will be made);
- Authorisation to carry out work and identification of the person doing the work;
- Who pays for common expenses (stairs, lift, gardens, etc.), if applicable;
- Identification of guarantor, if applicable;
- Whether or not you can have pets;
- Duration of the contract and the deadline for cancellation;
- Annex to the contract with a list of goods and their condition;
- Date, time and place and signatures;
- How the rent is updated.
Final considerations
A rental contract often represents a new stage for those who become tenants, but it is also an investment for those who are putting the property on the market. There are two parties with different interests who must have a healthy and transparent relationship.
Therefore, opt for deals that are completely transparent to avoid unnecessary problems and headaches: ask for all the information and ask questions whenever you have doubts. This will be essential for the lease to proceed in the best possible way.
If you need help with this process, H URB is always on hand to help: we are available online and at our office.
Together, we’ll open up a window of opportunity.
