Rules for safe renting: a handful of tips for tenants

We often think that after a successful search for the ideal home to rent we can breathe a sigh of relief and start planning the decor of our new interior. But before we move into the rented flat, a few extremely important formalities await us. What is worth remembering before putting your signature to the agreement?

The tenancy agreement: compulsory reading before collecting the keys!

Although it may seem obvious, it is worth reminding ourselves that a well-drafted tenancy agreement is not a mere formality; above all, it should be a guarantee of our security. That is why it is so important to analyse it carefully before deciding to rent our dream flat. The first thing to look at is the payment details: let us make sure the owner informs us transparently about the costs of utilities, and let us also ask about the conditions for any rent increases. The agreement should include a provision on the payment deadline and the consequences of missing it. It is worth considering whether it will suit our means and, if not, talking about a change that is beneficial to both sides.

There is no reliable tenancy agreement without agreed conditions for withdrawing from it. When reading the documents, let us check whether the agreement gives us the possibility of terminating it conveniently, in case of problems with the flat or a wish to move. Terminating the agreement is also the right of the flat's owner; bearing this in mind, let us be sure the owner gives us a notice period and that the terms of ending the agreement are fair to us. In case of doubt, a property negotiator accompanying us will be good support in finalising the details of the agreement.

The handover and acceptance report will help avoid disputes

The most important annex to the tenancy agreement is the handover and acceptance report, containing information on the condition of the flat and its equipment and any damage. Thanks to it, the landlord will know whether, during the tenancy, we have caused any damage that might in future call into question the return of the deposit. At the same time, it should give us peace of mind if the furniture in the flat was even slightly chipped or scratched before we moved in. For the report to really do its job, we must make sure that even the smallest damage is noted in it; it is a great idea to include photos in the report showing the condition in which we found our four walls. Thanks to them, we should avoid needless quarrels when handing the flat back.

What can we expect when something breaks?

One of the most common flashpoints between tenants and property owners is the question of repairs and renovations. The agreement may include provisions on these, set freely by both parties. But if there are none, the provisions of the Act on the Protection of Tenants' Rights (ustawa o ochronie praw lokatorów) apply. In greatly simplified terms, they place on the tenant responsibility for what is "on the surface", that is, basic maintenance of windows, floors, furniture and equipment; the owner, in turn, should take care of, among other things, the condition of the plumbing, wiring and heating.