IN THIS POST
– Not Finding a Suitable Property
– Being Beaten by the Third Party
– Trouble Negotiating the Rent
– Problems with Tenancy Agreement
– Lack of Property Maintenance
Finding a rental property that is affordable, sustainable and meets all your space requirements is not an easy feat. Even if you come across a house or an apartment that perfectly fits the bill, negotiating the rent and drafting a tenancy agreement are among the most common renting pain points. You also can’t stall and expect a property owner to wait around for you to make up your mind. If you have found an ideal rental home, it is recommended to get in touch with the landlord as soon as possible. Since demand and competition for rental properties are rather high in urban areas, you need to act fast to keep the third party from sweeping in and stealing your find.
Moving from one rental home to another can be tricky terrain. However, with enough research and preparation, you can easily navigate the pitfalls of renting a property and resolve any common renting pain points even before they surface.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest problems faced by tenants and ways to solve them.
Not Finding a Suitable Property
House hunting requires a lot of time, dedication and patience. This makes it one of the biggest renting pain points for tenants. Apart from looking for a place you and your family can call home, you must also make sure it is located in an ideal neighbourhood, and most importantly, fits your budget.
Some of the most attractive features for tenants include safe surroundings, proximity to schools and hospitals, access to public transportation, pre-installed appliances, sufficient light and ventilation, and ultimately a good landlord. Of course, finding a property that fulfils all your requirements is going to take some effort and time.
Online real estate portals, such as Zameen.com, have made hunting for a new home rather convenient. Whether you are looking to rent a place in a certain neighbourhood or searching for affordable options throughout the city, Zameen allows you to streamline your search by selecting your preferred city, area, price range, property type, area size and even the required number of bedrooms.
As far as house viewings are concerned, you must prepare a complete rental checklist of your requirements so you don’t forget anything crucial.
Here is a list of things you should look for when viewing a house for the first time.
Being Beaten by the Third Party
Once you find the perfect place to rent out, don’t spend too long second-guessing your decision. While it is important to be careful with your money and carry out a proper rental property inspection before signing on any dotted lines, you must also clearly communicate your intention to your prospective landlord. For example, if you plan on showing the place to your family members before drafting an agreement, make sure to let the landlord know that you are interested in renting the home.
In fast-moving markets, stalling such decisions is never a good idea. Indecisive potential tenants are also one of the top pain points for landlords. If you don’t let the landlord know in advance that you are indeed interested in their property, a third party may sweep in and beat you to it. Needless to say, after going through so much hassle, having someone else steal your find is not a pleasant feeling.
Along with being quick with the home inspection, you must also have all of your documents and paperwork in order. You should also be ready with your security deposit.
Moreover, if you’re shifting from one rental property to another, please make sure you are not violating any terms of your existing tenancy agreement.
Trouble Negotiating the Rent
Inquiring about rent and its monthly due date is obviously among the top questions to ask when renting a house or an apartment.
In Pakistan, the laws regarding rent, lease, tenancy agreements and rent contracts all come under the Rent Control Act. According to this act, a rental agreement is a mutual contract between two parties: the landlord and the tenant. To be able to negotiate for a fair amount as your monthly rent, you must first know about the rental trends in that particular neighbourhood.
You can start by searching the available rental properties in the area with similar features and determine their monthly rent. The comprehensive Zameen Area Guides for Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and other cities, can be a great resource in this regard and help you figure out the rental bracket in a certain area. Available amenities, nearby facilities and condition of the property also play a major role in rent negotiation.
It is pertinent to mention that high rent is one of the most common pain points for tenants. It is also one of the main reasons why most tenants move out of a rental property in Pakistan.
Problems with the Tenancy Agreement
Did you know that signing a tenancy agreement without reading it is one of the most common mistakes people make while renting a home?
Just as landlords and tenants are free to negotiate the monthly rate, they are also free to decide upon the period of their rental agreement. However, if the period exceeds that of one year, both of the parties will have to register the agreement under the Registration Act, 1908, Section 17, as per the Pakistan Real Estate, Landlord and Tenant Law.
A tenancy agreement is a written contract. Though it has no set format, a rental agreement usually includes names, CNIC numbers and contact details of the landlord, tenant and witnesses. It also clearly mentions the description of the rental property, agreed-upon period of tenancy, monthly rent, due date for the rent, the amount for a security deposit, and rate of rent increase among other details. Other things to look for in a rental agreement include mode of rent payment (cash, check, bank deposit, pay order or online transfer) as well as the bank account details of both parties.
Moreover, the landlord can only increase the rent in accordance with the state laws and what’s been stated in the tenancy agreement. Therefore, make sure to thoroughly read and understand each line of the contract before agreeing to it.
If you are unfamiliar with the terms, conditions, policies and legal aspects of drafting a rental agreement, it is suggested to consult a lawyer or a legal advisor. In case you have hired the services of a real estate agent, you can also ask them for clarification before signing any documents.
As per the law, the landlord is responsible for the legal registration of the rental contract.
Here are some frequently asked questions about landlord-tenant law in Pakistan that you might find helpful.
Lack of Property Maintenance
This is also one of the most important things to look for in a rental agreement.
Most rental agreements state that maintenance and home repairs are the responsibility of both the tenant and the landlord depending upon their nature. For example, cracks in the foundation, water damage, burst pipes and most other structural damages fall under the landlord’s domain. This means a landlord should pay for the maintenance and repair if any of these damages occur. On the other hand, the tenants have to pay for the interior damages they are responsible for. This may include changing the wiring, replacing the out-of-order appliances that came with the place, and repainting the walls among others.
Usually, terms and conditions about property maintenance are also outlined in the tenancy agreement. However, it is recommended to add this query to the list of questions to ask when renting a house.
You can also take a look at our tips for the essential upkeep for a rental home for some guidance.
To conclude, it is imperative for both parties to be familiar with their rights and legal obligations when renting a home. As a tenant, you must know the responsibilities of a good tenant. Similarly, the landlords must also know how to treat tenants with respect.
Hopefully, this guide would’ve addressed some of your most pressing concerns about renting a house in Pakistan. If not, you can let us know about your renting pain points by dropping an email at blog@zameen.com.
In case you are confused between renting a house vs renting an apartment, check out this comparative analysis to reach an informed decision.
To learn more about renting a property in Pakistan, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the top real estate blog in Pakistan. You can also subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter and Facebook page to receive the latest updates about the latest housing societies and development projects across the country.
