The relationship between the landlord and the tenant is not one-sided. Each party has a responsibility to the other. Each party must do their part to make sure the relationship remains cordial and drama free. Many only look at what they expect of their landlord. They do not stop to think that perhaps the landlord expects something of them too. Being unaware of your responsibility as a tenant p\st paying rent is a good way to get yourself evicted. The rental agreement should be a good guide for what will be expected of you. Below are some of those responsibilities.
1. Duty of prompt payment
The landlord expects that you will pay rent on time. E or self expects that out will not have to be reminded every time to pay your rent. As the tenant, you should keep in mind that this is the landlord’s livelihood. You should ensure to do your part in this regard. Otherwise, would you really blame him or her for finding someone who will pay on time? This is only the least that a landlord can do if you do not pay your rent. Failure or excess delay is a breach of your rental contract. That means that the landlord can seek legal redress. They are even entitled to retain your property if you decide to move out.
2. Duty of cleanliness
This should by no means be a surprise. You should endeavor to keep the house lean at all times not just for your health but also for the health of everyone else who lives in the building. Imagine this, if you keep trash in the house for too long then you invite ice song other little pests. These creatures will spread through the building thus endangering the health of other tenants. Your failure to keep your own unit clean will be a hazard to your health, that of others and Leo in contravention to your promise in the rental agreement. This is a good enough reason for the landlord to evict you.
3. Duty of care
You have the responsibility of giving back in the house in as good condition as you got it in. If there were no broken tiles when you moved in then there should not be when you move out. You are responsible for the unit and every future in it. That means that of something break even by accident then you should find a way to have it repaired. You should not be careless either. For example, you know that if you force remnants of food down the sink drain eventually it will clog and be damaged. Therefore do not do that.
4. Duty of security
This is not to mean that you should spend your nights by the gatekeeping watch every night. It is to say that if the policy is to leave the gate locked, you should be keen on it. Do not invite suspect individuals into the building even go as far as giving them a key to the gate. Do not be careless with your gate keys such that you leave in places where anyone could borrow and make a copy of their own. You have a responsibility to the other tenants not to make them more vulnerable. Each of them has a responsibility to you too.
5. Duty of peace
Do not be the kind of person that people are happy to see leave. Some tests will be in conflict with at least five other tenants in the building over small things. Some issues you can talk and agree on as adults without making it into a spectacle. Be an advocate of peace. You have a responsibility to the landlord, other tenants and yourself not o be a castigator or catalyst of conflict.
6. Duty of notice
If you want to move, you owe it to the landlord to give notice before you do it. This applies even if you are moving within the building, like to a different floor. If you want to make a few minor changes like change the paint color then you need to let the landlord know. If you think you will be late on the rent then you need to let the landlord know. Keep the lines of communication open. As long as your actions affect the landlord and other tenants then you have to keep him or her informed.
7. Duty of preservation
You do not pay the water bill as it is included in the rent, does that mean you should waste? Does that mean you should invite people from outside to come in and fetch some? No. You should preserve resources as much as possible. This is not only a good thing for the other tenants as there will be enough to go around, but it will also be good for the environment. If the water is not too high, then the landlord never has a reason to increase the rent on the grounds of utility cost.
8. Duty of adherence
The tenancy agreement was not a mere formality. It was supposed to be a guide for you. It was supposed to be a legal contract between you and the landlord. If you do not follow the conditions specified therein then you are in breach and you violate it. This contract is meant to protect both you and the landlord. Think of it this way, if you are I’m breach then the landlord could use that as grounds to flout his own responsibilities to you.
In many cases, if you have your duties done as expected then the landlord’s own duties to you will be delivered. Most of your responsibilities as a tenant will either be outlined in the tenancy agreement or sheer common sense. Stay dutiful!
