Juliet Risdon
This list of common misconceptions may look innocent enough, but the difference in expectation is usually the source of major rental conflicts, and one that could be easily avoided with a little more clarity up front.
When you consider the rental process usually involves at least two different languages (sometimes three), its not surprising that misunderstandings are commonplace.
Carrying on from last week, we continue with some of the most common misconceptions…
I can make any changes to the apartment that I want …
Adding a personal touch to an apartment may end up being quite costly if you don’t have permission to do so.
Many owners don’t mind a degree of customization as long as you put things back the way they were when you moved in, but they are wary of tenants who claim to have ‘improved’ the apartment by leaving brightly colored walls and makeshift furniture.
You should always return the apartment in the same condition it was handed over including paint colors, furniture and white goods.
In particular the removal of unwanted furniture and other items costs money.
As a tenant, you may think you are doing the owner a favour by leaving your old chair, but ultimately someone has to come along with a truck, park, collect the chair and remove it from the apartment, then dispose of it, all of which takes time and costs money, and the funds can be deducted from your security deposit.
I can give notice any time on my rental apartment?
As a tenant, you have a few choices.
When the tenancy agreement is coming to an end, you can let the owner know you will not extend at any point leading up to the end of the lease.
If it is prior to the end of the agreement, you can give notice in accordance with the contract. For example, it may say that the agreement can be terminated with two months notice.
If the agreement does not have a termination clause, you can give the owner three months notice.
When a lease is broken, the owner has the right to retain part or all of the security deposit dependent on the notice period and the wording in the tenancy agreement.
The landlord must ensure the safety of the building
Safety is often the major concern when people first arrive in Macau.
However, it is made very clear in Macau. Owners are responsible only to ensure that the apartment itself (think ‘inside the apartment’) does not have any infrastructure flaws that could be dangerous for a tenant such as open electrical sockets, a major structural issue etc. The building management company is responsible for the external / common areas of the building. The tenant is responsible for the fixtures and fittings within the apartment.
They have heard stories about the dangers of living in Asia, and these stories combined with a natural fear of a new environment play havoc with a person’s mind.
In terms of crime, you will struggle to find many places safer than Macau. Crimes against the general population are rare, especially those of a violent nature.
However, crimes do happen occasionally of course, so do take the time to do a security check, and consider changing the locks on the doors at your own expense to give you the peace of mind about other people having keys to your apartment.
How secure is the external security door? Is there a security guard or video surveillance system? Does the front door feel safe to you… Is there a deadbolt?
If the apartment is on a low floor is there a cage over the windows?
The landlord is responsible for maintaining everything in the apartment
Macau law is very clear and may differ from other places around the world. The owner of an apartment is not obligated to do anything in an apartment unless the issue is one of a dangerous nature.
It is therefore vital that the procedure for getting things fixed should be fully documented in the lease. If not, you should assume that the owner will not be interested in making any improvements in the apartment.
Some buildings have an on-site building management company, and they will be able to recommend someone when the faucet leaks, or the paint starts peeling.
Some landlords hire a property administration company who can assist with maintenance issues, or the landlord might ask a tenant to call him directly, in which case you may have to ask a friend or colleague that speaks Cantonese to liaise with the owner on your behalf.
Continued next week…
Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor.
Having been established in 1994, JML Property offers investment property & homes. It specializes in managing properties for owners and investors, and providing attractive and comfortable homes for tenants.
www.JMLProperty.com
info@JMLProperty.com
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