Read the lease carefully

Before you sign the lease, read through it carefully and make sure you understand everything in it. Fill in all the blanks and cross out what is not applicable.

Make dead certain the following is correct:

• The rental

• The date the lease takes effect

• The termination date of the lease

• The procedure for the return of your deposit

• Grounds for termination of the lease

• Procedure for moving out before the lease expires

Negotiate with the landlord about any of the lease's stipulations that you might object to. Does the lease limit the number of guests you're allowed to receive? Are pets allowed? Are you allowed to paint the walls or run a business? Will the lease automatically renew? Does the landlord retain the right to increase the rent at will? Does the landlord retain the right of entry into the flat or house? After you've made the changes have both parties initial the new wording and do this on every copy of the lease.

Certain provisions that sometimes find their way into rental contracts need not be negotiated as they are illegal ? make sure you point them out. These might include:

• Clauses that protect the landlord from accountability for her or his negligence

• Excessive penalties for being late with the rent

• Clauses stipulating automatic forfeiture of your deposit

Ask for help each time there is something in the lease you don't understand and make sure you have a copy of the signed lease to take home.

Rental term

Nowadays many landlords and agents are willing to negotiate on the rental period and a term of, for example, six months or less is sometimes acceptable. Signing a lease for a shorter period is often a good idea as it gives you time to assess the property and neighbourhood before you commit to a longer contract.

Initial costs

The upfront costs of securing a rental property are fairly high. Typically, you'll be responsible for the deposit and a month's rent. In general this amounts to a sum equal to three months' rent.

In addition, the agent might slap all kinds of administrative fees on you. Make sure before you sign the lease that you know what these fees entail.

An agent could, for example, charge you for doing a credit check. This can cost in the region of R100 per applicant.

Another once off charge that some landlords, and especially larger letting agents, may perhaps include in the lease is a 'lease fee' which might amount to about R600 or more. If you're merely renewing your lease you should get a considerable discount and not pay more than half of what the original 'lease fee' was.

You'll probably also be required to foot the bill for the inspection which could set you back R200 or R300.

If, according to the lease, you're responsible for any other costs than what I've mentioned here (e.g. postage, etc.) have the agent or landlord explain to you what you're being charged for.

These are, unfortunately, not the only costs you need to consider when you first move into a house or flat that you rent. Other costs might include moving costs, connecting a landline or buying furniture and household appliances that you might need.

It's common for letting agents to include clauses in the lease stating the tenant's liability for the cost of Photostats, faxes, etc. There's usually also a multitude of costs that a defaulting tenant, or one that wants out of the contract, will be liable for (You'll find a breakdown of these in the addendum on page four of this article).

Set up a debit order

I strongly advise you set up a debit order as this will ensure your rent is always paid on time. Check that the direct debit is set up properly and for the correct amounts.

Setting up a debit order will signal to the landlord or managing agent ? the people you're going to have to rely on when, for example, the plumbing goes ? that you're a renter worth holding on to.

Take the time to do a complete inventory

Don't rush or skip through the inventory when you move in. Carefully go through everything with the landlord and record any damage that you see in writing and by taking pictures. You're not being silly by being obsessively thorough as the landlord or agent will go over the place with a fine-tooth comb when you move out. Remember, you're substantial deposit is in their hands!

On page three: All about deposits, keeping paperwork, renting with others, discussing problems with your landlord and the landlord's right of entry into the home you rent?