As soon as you sign your rental agreement with the owner of a property, you agree a contract that sets out the rights and obligations of the tenant and the landlord. As a tenant, what are they? We take stock.

The first duty of a tenant: to pay the rent

Regular payments are a matter of course when you are a tenant. However, in addition to setting the deadline for payment of the rent (which may increase every two years), the lease also defines a deposit which may not exceed three months' rent and which will be used to pay for any damage to the property during its occupation. Charges (maintenance of common areas, green spaces, rubbish, etc.) may be paid on an actual basis or on a flat rate basis. The annual statement must be sent to the tenant.

The obligations of the tenant

Providing people with a decent and healthy flat is an obligation for the landlord. However, it is the tenant's responsibility to contribute to its maintenance, but not to change it! If you can hammer in a nail to hang a picture frame, you should not knock down a wall to enlarge the living room!

Similarly, you are not allowed to turn your home into an office. If you notice a problem that is not within your competence, you should inform the owner so that he or she can contact the relevant craftsmen.

Be careful, however, if the problem is your fault (for example, a gas boiler that has not been checked annually), you may be blamed for it and therefore charged for it. Finally, it is compulsory to insure your property as soon as you move in.

Tenants' rights: welcome to your home!

The lease stipulates that you occupy a dwelling in return for rent. In practice, this means that your landlord does not have unlimited visiting rights! However, he can visit your home once or twice a year, provided he makes an appointment. Of course, it is impossible for him to barge into your home without your knowledge or to change the locks without informing you!