A rental agreement for a home looks like routine paperwork, but the small print can decide how peaceful or painful your stay will be. Tenants should read it carefully before signing instead of treating it as a mere formality.
Key points to check include the rent amount, due date, mode of payment, and security deposit — especially how and when the deposit will be refunded and under what deductions. The lock-in period and notice period on both sides are crucial. A one-sided clause where only the tenant is bound is a warning sign.
Maintenance responsibilities, minor repairs, and who bears charges for utilities and common areas should be clearly stated. Restrictions on guests, subletting, pets or modifications to the property must be understood in advance.
Registration and appropriate stamping of the agreement greatly strengthen its legal standing. An unregistered deal may be harder to enforce and can create problems in address proof, police verification or future disputes.
Spending an extra hour discussing and understanding the agreement can save months of stress later.