If you are looking for residential rental property in East Bay, you aren’t alone. With prices sky rocketing in the city center, tenants are moving out from San Francisco to the Peninsula region and East Bay. And one of the most crucial steps in having a hassle-free rental experience is to ensure that you check the rent agreement carefully before signing. Here’s a look at some of the important things you should check for before signing.
Top Points to Check in a Rent Agreement for Residential Rental Property in East Bay
While shortlisting potential rental homes in East Bay, make sure you conduct a thorough examination of the property. This means that you should check that all the plumbing, electrical outlets, appliances, etc are in proper working order, the doors and windows are well insulated and open and lock easily, there is no existing damage to or dispute about any part of the property. Once you are convinced that this is the home you would like to live in or bring your family to, you need to look at the lease agreement.
- Lease tenure: The very first thing to check is when your lease begins and ends. Check for restrictions on use of any facilities, areas, etc and whether there are any conditions related to moving into or out of the property. Also, check whether the lease can be renewed/extended when the end date approaches and for how long. Don’t forget to check the notice period required to break the lease for either party.
Rent payment and increases: Check the date on which you will be expected to make the rent payments. Do you need to send the rent to a specific address? Is there a grace period before the rent is considered late? What is the late fee? If you extend or renew the lease, what kind of rent increases should you expect?- Deposits: Most landlords in East Bay expect an upfront security deposit of at least one month’s rent. However, you should check whether the deposit amount will vary if there are pets or whether there is any additional amount you need to pay for move-ins, damage, etc.
Maintenance and repairs: There will be times when appliances need to be repaired or there is weather damage to a part of the property that needs to be fixed. You should know beforehand whom you need to contact in such circumstances and what process is to be followed if there are major repairs or renovation needed. Some landlords might expect the tenants to take care of day-to-day repairs and maintenance and only come in when a big repair job is indicated.
Many landlords in the East Bay region have property managers who take care of the tenants’ needs. If this is the case, you need not worry about having repairs done on time, sending in rent payments, etc. Property
managers in East Bay strive to make the experience hassle free for both the landlord and the tenant.
