Buying a house is not easy these days. Therefore, most people prefer to live on rent. But when renting a house, the most important thing is to have a proper rent agreement with the landlord. Whenever a residential property is rented out, the landlord includes some essential clauses in the rent agreement to prevent any kind of fraud or misunderstanding. Sometimes tenants make small mistakes while drafting the agreement, which later become big problems. Therefore, it is important to include certain points in the rent agreement. Here are 10 points that every tenant should ensure are included in the agreement.

1- How much is the rent?
The first and most important point in a rent agreement is the rent amount. It is very important to write the correct amount in the agreement, as payments will be made based on this. It should also be clearly stated whether the rent includes maintenance, parking charges, or other expenses. Otherwise, it can lead to arguments later.

2- How much is the security deposit?
When renting a house, the landlord takes a security deposit to cover any damage to the property. Ensure the deposit amount is accurately written in the agreement, and also clarify that this amount will be returned to the tenant when vacating the house. If there is any damage, the amount can be deducted accordingly.

3- Lock-in period and notice period
Many agreements have a lock-in period, during which the house cannot be vacated before the stipulated time. If a tenant does so, they have to pay the rent for the entire period. Therefore, try to avoid a lock-in period in residential property agreements. The notice period for both parties should also be clearly stated in the agreement.

4- Rules regarding normal wear and tear
The rent agreement should state that the tenant will not be responsible for normal wear and tear. Minor damages occur in a house after living there for a long time, and the cost of these should not be borne by the tenant. Only major damages may be the tenant's responsibility.

5- List of Amenities Provided in the House
Include a complete list of all amenities and appliances provided in the house in the agreement. For example – furniture, geyser, fan, lights, etc. This will prevent any future misunderstandings about which amenities were provided initially and which were not.

6- No Outstanding Bills
When creating the rent agreement, ensure that there are no outstanding bills on the property. Whether it's electricity bills, society maintenance charges, or water bills. If this is not clarified beforehand, you may have to pay for it later.

7- Renewal and Rent Increase
The agreement should clearly state when the rent agreement will be renewed and how much the rent will increase at the time of renewal. Many people forget this point, and later, disputes arise when the landlord suddenly demands a higher rent.

8- Who will bear the cost of agreeing?
There is some cost involved in making a rent agreement. Decide beforehand who will bear this cost – the tenant or the landlord? Usually, the landlord pays for the agreement, but in some places, this money is also taken from the tenant.

9- What will the property be used for?
The agreement should also state the purpose for which the house can be used. For example, only for residential purposes or for a small office. If you want to use the house for a specific purpose, it is essential to have it written in the agreement beforehand.

10- Information on Restrictions
The rent agreement should mention all restrictions. For example – not subletting the house to anyone else, not making major changes (renovations) to the house, etc. This eliminates the possibility of any future disputes.

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