Before you begin to understand your rights in a fixed-term tenancy, you need to understand the difference between a fixed-term and a periodic lease agreement. In the latter, the tenancy runs for an unknown period of time without a set finish date. This type of tenancy doesn’t have to have a written agreement; the tenancy can be either written or verbal.
The rent can be paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly; it depends on what the landlord or property manager sees fit or what you agree with. This type provides flexibility, but it can also be confusing as the landlord can end the agreement whenever they like after giving an appropriate notice for the renter to move their belongings and search for another place.
Fixed-term tenancy lease, on the other hand, has to have set start and finish dates with the minimum duration that you agree on; most common agreements last for 6 or 12 months; yet the length of your stay can be longer.
This type of tenancy provides more certainty and security, especially when you understand your rights.
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Your rights as a tenant
Before signing the lease, you have the right to check out the place, unit, and common areas. This is essential to see if you would be comfortable living in that place and how well it fits your lifestyle and provides you with your needs. It’s completely your right to not be interrupted once you have moved in, whether it’s from the property manager, landlord, staff, or other tenants.
Your rights also protect you from being evicted suddenly without any warning or an appropriate notice period. You are also protected against sudden increases in rent during the period you have agreed with your landlord. It’s okay to ask for help from the pros to get a fair evaluation of your residential application to make sure that you are being treated fairly. As a renter, you also have the right to end the tenancy when your lease is up or even before it ends.
Ending the tenancy
One of the most important benefits, and drawbacks, that fixed-term tenancy provides is the ability to stay in your rented place until the end of the fixed period that you have originally agreed on. This is the reason why some people love this agreement due to the security and safety provided, and others hate it as it’s a commitment, as well as a responsibility.
You might be wondering about what to do if you want to end the tenancy, whether it’s at the end of your agreement or you want to break out early. Both situations require different measures to be taken. In the first situation, bloggers at Royal Cleaning have summed up everything you need to be aware of at the end of your agreement if you want to move out.
You will also find helpful information if you want to renew your stay. The other situation can be trickier because you will need to explain your situation and your reasons for the landlord who has the right to accept or refuse them. Your agreement with the property manager has to be altered to include the new date you have agreed on for you to move out of the place.
If they have declined your request, they will have the right to keep charging you for rent until the end of the fixed period or until they find someone else to rent the place.
Can a landlord refuse to rent the property to you?
The short answer is yes. Landlords have the right to accept and refuse anyone for different reasons. However, they don’t have the right to refuse someone if their reasons are driven by discrimination. Property lenders can’t refuse someone based on sex, religion, color, race, origin, status, and disability. Any service provider has the right to refuse to offer their service, expect when it comes to discrimination.
If you doubt that you have been denied the apartment, or any other service for that matter, because of any of the above mentioned reasons, then it’s your choice to bring this matter to the attention of the housing department at your local council and they will take the right actions against your landlord.
It’s risky to not know your rights as a tenant before signing a lease. While you might be dealing with a landlord who is well versed in their obligations and yours, it’s not smart to expect all landlords to be. You will have flexibility in a periodic agreement lease; yet, fixed-term tenancy provides you with safety and security as the landlord won’t have the right to take back their unit until the agreement has ended.