Advice For Tenants
Submitted by karlos_the_jackal on Tue, 09/23/2008 - 23:12
- There is a glut of rental accommodation available out there and prices are falling – bargain hard before committing to a lease.
- Check out Daft.ie for the area you are interested in and see how many properties are for rent in the area and roughly what the asking prices are. You can also look at www.daftwatch.ie to get an idea of how many are for rent in general which will give you a better idea of overall supply v.s. demand. Then you should have a good idea of all the properties available in an area.
- Try offering below the asking price, especially if there appear to be multiple units of a certain type on the market. They can only say “no” (in which case try the next guy).
- Make sure your landlord is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (to check see www.prtb.ie)
- Sign a lease, and read it carefully.
- Check who has access to the property, and what notice you will get if they need access.
- Clarify who to contact if there is a problem.
- Don’t settle for sub-standard accommodation. Insist on a reasonable standard of paintwork, floorings and general repair. Make sure the landlord removes or replaces shabby or broken furniture before you move in. Make sure everything works – showers, appliances, heating etc. and if not then say you can’t move in until things are fully operational.
- With the lease documents, include a list detailing all minor flaws with the property when you moved in (e.g. cracks, carpet stains) so that you are not held responsible at the end of the lease.
- Clarify that you have permission to hang your own pictures on the walls (you need to be able to make the place your own).
- Clarify responsibilities for bills and upkeep, particularly where there is a garden. If you are expected to maintain the garden, ensure the landlord provides adequate equipment (lawnmowers, hedge-cutters, ladders etc).
- Talk to the neighbours, make sure that the area is a good one and go by at night to check that there is not anti-social activity in the area.
- To get a feel for your security of tenure, ask what the landlord’s long-term plans are for the property (they may not always answer honestly, but it’s worth asking if he/she plans to put the place on the market anytime soon).
- Be cautious, and if you don’t like or trust the landlord, steer clear. Always get the landlord's full contact details, including a landline telephone number, home address or place of business.
- For more good advice pay a visit to the good people at www.threshold.ie where there is extensive advice on tenants’ rights.