Legalities around landlords tenants and rental agreements medium

Legalities around landlords tenants and rental agreements medium

Podcast

Legalities around landlords tenants and rental agreements medium

Podcast

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Alex says that numerous pieces of legislation deal with rental accommodation, but the most prominent ones are probably the Rental Housing Act, which was amended quite recently, and the Consumer Protection Act, which provides a lot of protection specifically for tenants and imposes various obligations on landlords as well.

Alex adds that the biggest mistake parties make is not understanding their rights and obligations under the contract. Having a sound contract is probably the most important issue, as it forms the foundation of the relationship between the two parties and regulates how they effectively implement that relationship, including what the landlord can expect from the tenant.

However, Alex says that the most crucial element of the rental agreement is the exit clause, which ensures that a tenant is not stuck in an unsatisfactory agreement. This applies to landlords as well. For example, legislation like the Consumer Protection Act provides rulings on fixed-term contracts, statutory notices, and penalties if you terminate within the term. But at least the legislature has created an environment where the tenant has a bit more protection from the landlord.