A large number of people in Bangladesh belong to the middle-income population. For them, living in rental apartments might be the only choice. Therefore the demand for rental flats in Dhaka have increased significantly over the last decade, especially in urban areas. Due to several reasons, like the increasing cost of living in the city, people tend to shift their homes frequently. And as the competition is high among tenants to get the best possible deal, a lot of the time they tend to make mistakes while renting an apartment. If you live in rental flats in Dhaka and planning to move soon, then you should be aware of these aspects too. Let’s take a look at some critical mistakes you should avoid before renting an apartment.
Inadequate Research
A major mistake most tenants make is not doing any research prior to renting an apartment. Most of the time people make the decision to shift apartments based on their top priority. For instance, moving near their workplace or their child’s educational institution for safety and comfort or rent affordability. Once the primary need is satisfied, they are often willing to compromise on other aspects of living such as the neighborhood or the condition of the property. But doing so can sometimes do more harm than good.
If you are willing to move to a new place, you definitely should know about the area and the benefits available. You should consider the availability of daily needs and the area’s accessibility. Even if you get a new deal of less rent than the previous place, what good will it do if you have to pay higher transportation costs? Make sure to do the maths and proper research about the area prior to making your decision.
Not Checking Up With Existing Tenants
Given that you found a suitable property, the best way to find out the actual living experience is by contacting existing tenants. A lot of people would shy away from doing so just because they are total strangers. But if you really want to know what you are getting into, talking to these people can really help. They can tell you about the landlord and the property itself. It is also a good way to understand if you are getting a proper deal or not. Also, talking to existing tenants will give you an idea about your would be neighbors.
Not Asking For The Rent Agreement
A common practice among landlords and tenants in our country is that they rely on verbal commitments more than written contracts. Some may even consider creating documentation as an act of disrespect and lack of trust between landlords and tenants. It is completely ok to trust your landlord, but it does not mean you should skip signing a rental agreement. The truth is that a verbal contract is impossible to prove, and it might be a problem if your landlord does not like to keep promises. Getting the contract in writing can prevent both of you from misunderstanding or misbehaving. After all, isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?
Ignoring Your Rights As A Tenant
It may not be a popular practice or known to many but there are laws in our country to protect both landlords and tenants. The Premises Rent Control Act, 1991 has detailed explanations and guidelines on how to set a rent amount and how frequently a landlord can increase it. It also outlines specific requirements and documents needed in order to enforce the law and any claims. Not knowing these rights can expose you to unfair situations and either party can take advantage of the other. Therefore, knowing important aspects of the tenancy law and being aware of your rights in order to protect yourself are a must before renting an apartment.
Agreeing to Pay For Expenses That You Shouldn’t
Based on location and facilities, landlords might charge extra fees from the original rental agreement. As long as you receive the services you pay for, it should be fine. But be aware of the costs. You might also ask for rent receipts for the amounts paid in order to keep track of the expenses. To protect yourself from additional costs, you should discuss with your landlord about preparing an outline in the rental agreement of who pays for what expenses. The contract must also specify repair costs as well. A little pro tip; take pictures of the property before moving in. That way you have proof of the condition of the apartment and landlords will not be able to trick you into paying for extra expenses.
For now, keep these points in mind before renting an apartment. If you have your own experience to share with us, please leave a comment in the comments section below!
