Juliet Risdon
In the last article we discussed how to find a property. This week we look at what you must do to make it yours;
The process is broken into 3 sections:
Fees:
- If you have used an agent to find the property and accompany you on viewings, you will have an agency fee to pay prior moving in to the apartment.
- In most cases the agency fee is the equivalent of one month’s rent. Some agencies charge more, and you may find ‘discount’ agents eager to close a deal that will consider a lower fee. Most credible full service agents will charge the one month fee.
- In some cases you may need to contribute to a small building management fee to get the communal areas cleaned and maintained. In the larger buildings with a dedicated building management team, this is usually covered in the rent and paid by the owner. However in older buildings, it may simply be a case of sharing the payment for someone to sweep the stairs.
Deposits:
- two month’s security deposit is normal when renting an apartment. To secure and confirm an apartment, you would usually pay one month’s deposit immediately. The second half of the deposit can be paid later to make up the two months security deposit.
- You will also be required to pay the current months rent in advance. For some owners this means a whole month, and for others the remaining part of the month (from the move in date to the end of the month).
- Combined with the fee outlined above, securing an apartment will require the equivalent of 4 months’ rent. You will not be handed the keys of the apartment or allowed access until all of these fees are paid and the correct documentation process is completed.
- A point to note is that if you return the apartment in the same condition in which you entered, the two-month security deposit should be returned to you.
Documentation:
There are three types of documentation in these transactions. Firstly the documentation you need to provide as a tenant, secondly the documentation you need to sign and thirdly the documents you require for reference.
Documentation to Provide:
- Copy of your passport or Macau ID
- A copy of your employment contract or letter confirming employment
- A copy of your blue card or blue card receipt
- Sometimes references are requested
Documentation to Sign:
- Three copies of the tenancy agreement
- Schedules and attachments to the agreement or contract
- Documentation to obtain and keep:
- Security deposit receipt
- Copies of invoices that you have paid
- Receipts for any monies handed over to an agent or landlord directly.
Next week join us to take a look at Part 3 “The Process of Moving In”.
For further information please call me on +853 2835 2699, E-Mail Juliet@JMLProperty.com or visit our website Www.JMLProperty.com, or Facebook Www.Facebook.Com/JMLRealEstate .
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
Asking for a copy of your employment contract is against Macau Law n.º 8/2005 – Lei da Protecção de Dados Pessoais.
Unfortunately landlords ask for whatever they want with the connivance of the agents which should be the ones who should alert that it is illegal. However, as this article shows, the agents just don’t care as long as they receive their commission.
I hope the next article also elucidates regarding the 1 year contract impinged and supported by the same agents which are also illegal according to the Macau law.