Landlord's Responsibilities
Under Law, the landlord must:
- Maintain the dwelling
so it does not violate national and local codes in ways which endanger
the tenant's health and safety.
- Maintain structural
components, such as roofs, floors and chimneys, in reasonably good repair.
- Maintain the dwelling
in reasonably weather-tight condition.
- Provide reasonably
adequate locks and keys.
- Provide the necessary
facilities to supply heat, electricity and hot and cold water.
- Provide garbage
cans and arrange for removal of garbage, except in single family dwellings.
- Keep common areas,
such as lobbies, stairways and halls, reasonably clean and free from
hazards.
- Control pests before
the tenant moves in. The landlord must continue to control infestations
except in single family dwellings, or when the infestation was caused
by the tenant.
- Make repairs to
keep the unit in the same condition as when the tenant moved in (except
for normal wear and tear).
- Keep electrical,
plumbing and heating systems in good repair, and maintain any appliances
which are provided with the rental.
- Inform the tenant
of the name and address of the landlord or landlord's agent.
- Important Note:
A landlord is not responsible for the cost of correcting problems which
were caused by the tenant.
Tenant's Responsibilities
Under Law, a tenant is required to:
- Pay rent, and any
utilities agreed upon.
- Comply with any
requirements of city or state regulations.
- Keep the rental
unit clean and sanitary.
- Dispose of garbage
properly.
- Pay for fumigation
of infestations caused by the tenant.
- Properly operate
plumbing, electrical and heating systems.
- Not intentionally
or carelessly damage the dwelling.
- Not permit "waste"
(substantial damage to the property) or "nuisance" (substantial
interference with other tenants' use of their property).
- When moving out,
restore the dwelling to the same condition as when the tenant moved
in, except for normal wear and tear.
***
Tenants should include
in the contract an option to extend the rental period by a year. Make
sure you do not miss the necessary notice period specified in the contract.
The apartment owner
should be responsible for the repairs of the furniture, appliances, and
full functionality of the utility systems in the apartment.
In case of leakage
first identify the source of the problem and stop the water. The insurance
company of the person who caused the leakage will pay, but only after
it has been repaired and dried.
A lawyer is not necessary
for counter-signing a contract of rent, as in the case of a purchase contract.
Make sure the contract
specifies who pays the building maintenance fee. Since most of what is
included in this fee concerns the daily usage of the apartment, this cost
is paid by the tenant. Only a small fraction of this is actually the renovation
fund and therefore it is accepted that the tenant pay this as well. The
building maintenance fee includes heating and lighting in the stairwell,
cleaning of common areas, chimneysweep, general house maintenance costs,
and garbage disposal.
Security issues
In case of burglary
immediately report it to the police. Insure personal belongings because
the apartment owner is not responsible for stolen electronic equipment,
jewelry, valuables, or other belongings. Ask to see the insurance policy
of the apartment before entering to make sure insurance company will pay
to repair door or windows in case of a break in.
Tenants should ask
landlord to give information about persons who have keys to the apartment
(agency, a relative close-by) and make sure the privacy of the tenant
is respected in the contract. It is not accepted that anyone enter the
apartment in tenant's absence without tenant's consent.
Rights Against
Unlawful Entry
Your landlord, or an agent for your landlord, may only enter your apartment
for the following reasons:
- to inspect the
premises;
- to make repairs;
- to show the apartment
to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents;
- in accordance with
a court order;
- if the premises
appear to be abandoned, or to inspect the premises
within the last 30 days of tenancy in order to determine
the amount of damage to be deducted from the security
deposit.
Any
questions or concerns? Please email us. info@budapestrent.com