Date Posted: 2012-07-16 10:26:28
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
When you’re living in a rental property, the rent isn’t the only payment that you need to make every month. Your monthly financial responsibilities don’t stop with water and electricity; there are those who consider Internet and cable as necessities, too. But what if the landlord is asking you to pay for other fees that seem out of the ordinary?
If you’re looking for an apartment or condo for rent or are living in one right now, be careful of these highly suspect additional fees your landlord might ask for.
1. Extreme overdue-rent charges – While charging additional fees for late rent payments is not uncommon, there are those who charge way too much. Late-rent fees should not be used to scare tenants into paying their rent; it is used to cover the costs that the landlord may have incurred with the delayed payment.
2. Cleaning fee – It’s not right for the landlord to be asking for a cleaning fee that he’ll use to tidy up the rental after you leave. Any damage that you do to the apartment is covered by your security deposit; otherwise, any normal wear-and-tear marks in the rental should not be your responsibility.
3. Fees for repairs – One of the benefits of living in a condo or apartment for rent is that the landlord takes care of the repairs the rental requires. Landlords are then forbidden from asking for payment for every repair that he does. Of course, this doesn’t apply if the damage stemmed from your own carelessness; you have to repair or replace whatever you broke.
4. ‘Nonrefundable’ deposit – A security deposit is paid to ensure that the tenant will take care of the rental during his stay. If the rental remains in good condition, the deposit is returned, hence the term ‘deposit’. If the lease stipulates that you need to pay a nonrefundable deposit, then they’re trying to get you to pay an additional fee that you’ll never see again.
If there is something in the lease agreement that you’re dubious about, it would be better to ask the landlord before signing it. As long as you’re careful, you don’t have to unwittingly play into the landlord’s attempt to get more money from you than necessary.
Jillian Cariola, Writer
(cover image by Paul-in-London)
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