Real Estate Matters | The 25 questions you must ask as a tenant renting a property – Part 4

Juliet Risdon

Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor.
Having established the company 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.

The Most Important Questions To Ask……..
If you have not seen the earlier articles on this subject, here is a brief introduction to the series. Of course you can find the articles online on the Macau Daily Times website.
With the high costs and the potential happiness of your family at stake, it is natural to be concerned that you are both making a good decision and getting value for money
The trouble is you may find yourself renting a property whilst starting a new job, moving your family to a new country and enrolling the kids in a new school all at the same time.
Of course it is important to do your homework about any potential property you are considering to rent, and with so many things going on you also have to remember to ask your agent the most important questions about the property you are considering.
The list below is in no particular order, and is intended as a starting point to help identify which questions to ask.
This week we start with……….

Where’s the exit?
Once you sign a lease, you are committed until the initial term of the lease is up, after which there is an early termination clause.
A lease term in Macau is usually two years unless its been negotiated for a different time frame, and most leases allow tenants to give notice after an initial term of 12 months.
So what happens if six months into your 2 year lease you are offered a new and wonderful opportunity 3,000 miles away?
Before signing, find out the penalties for breaking the lease.
Also, remember that verbal agreements aren’t the same as written ones, and when the owner assures you “it won’t be a problem” to break your lease with 30-days written notice, ask him to put it in writing.
Breaking a lease is serious business that could adversely impact you down the road. Not only will you likely forfeit your security deposit and any monies the landlord holds in your name, but you will also burn a bridge for future rental references.
Smart prospective tenants who know their careers might take them elsewhere negotiate an exit clause in case of a job transfer. But be warned, landlords aren’t always willing to agree to this,

Are there rules for rubbish disposal, recycling and common areas ?
Yes indeed there are !
In some buildings, only certain household-generated trash can be put in the common garbage disposal.
Some buildings say you can’t put out garbage until 6 p.m. on the night before collection.
Some buildings require you to recycle, separating glass and plastic from food waste.
Don’t forget to ask about the waste disposal details and requirements of the building to help avoid any potentially embarrassing incidents.

Under what circumstance would you enter my apartment without notice?
As a tenant, you may not own the apartment but that doesn’t mean that the owner or their representatives should be able to enter your home anytime they like.
In most instances an owner or representative should give you notice prior to entering your apartment, and any legit property agency will be very up front about what circumstances would warrant them entering an apartment.
How do you handle showing the apartment before I move out?
Showing the apartment to potential tenants is one of the instances when the property agent may ask your permission to enter the apartment.
You can ask the agent about this when you are first shown around the building, and it’s important to ask exactly how they’ll handle showing your apartment.

How far in advance do I need to give notice before moving out?
In many instances you’ll have to give notice well in advance of moving out.
If not, your lease could automatically renew and you could lose your security deposit when you try to cancel the agreement.

Next Week: “…Can I sublet the apartment ?” and others…

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