In order to yield more rent or attract good tenants, it is imperative as a property owner to meet certain standards of safety, cleanliness and livability.
As with most rental agreements, tenants are normally expected to avoid doing any modifications to an apartment, flat or home without asking for the landlord’s permission. Usually, in lower rental properties, a compromise is reached between home owner and the renter when repairs or any alteration is deemed necessary. It is the property owner who typically provides the materials like paint.
If you’re someone renting, your risk is that the moment you work on a repair in exchange for a reduction in rent, you have entered into an agreement. You should think about what could happen when, for example, you fall off a ladder or when you damage the property. Most probably, personal injury insurance is out of the question and the cost of this damage is usually deducted from your deposit when the time comes for you to move out.
If you’re a landlord, the tenant could be considered as an employee because it can simply be construed that the work was for payment. If something were to happen to the tenant while doing these repairs, the property owner, in return, could be considered as an employer and would then be responsible for shouldering the tenant’s medical bills. Moreover, it would be problematic to deduct damage costs from the deposit because the work was completed under contract, although it was agreed upon verbally.
If the homeowner and occupant want to enter into any agreement to do work for rent, the terms of their contract should be in writing and signed by both parties.
If you’re renting and you’d like to improve your housing and at the same time save on rent, talk to your landlord and prepare a clear scope of work along with a contract. Painting, adding wall attachments or building an outdoor deck may not present much of a legal problem, however, it would be smart to clarify this with your landlord – he or she will most likely not mind. Keep in mind that this is a temporary living arrangement and that you don’t want to go overboard with renovating your house or apartment only to be enjoyed by the owner and the next tenant.
Most lease agreements require you to move out before the deposit is returned. To ensure you get your deposit back, consider services like bond cleaning Melbourne. When your landlord sees how spotless your rental is, he or she will have no qualms about giving the deposit back.
Your lease is a legal agreement that is founded on your state laws and it is binding in a court of law. If something about the terms of the agreement is not clear, talk to your landlord and clarify before entering into an agreement.