Question posted in the Landlord Tenant Law category relating to Limpopo
Good afternoon. I need URGENT legal advice. I want to rent a property but the contract seems unreasonable. I need to sign by tomorrow latest...
The contract is in Afrikaans. I have highlighted the parts I query and have given my comments/questions in red.
PLEASE advise ASAP. Please let me know in advance what your fees are.
How do I attach a copy of this lease?
Regards,
Edna de Beer.
Message from the Lawyer
Hi there and thank you for your question,
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Can you send the lease agreement to caselawja (at) outlook.com
Message from the client
Unfortunately the contract is in Afrikaans...
Message from the Lawyer
I've received the contract. Let me read through it quickly.
Message from the Lawyer
Regarding the address question, you need to ask the landlord (or the agent) to clarify which is the correct address. The wrong address must be removed.
Clause 3.2.7 simply means that if anything is changed in the agreement, those changes would form part of the original agreement.
Regarding clause 5.1.3 and the interest, this is something that you need to negotiate with the landlord.
Regarding the VAT, the landlord can't charge VAT on residential premises.
The landlord must be asked for the municipal accounts.
Regarding clause 6.1, you are 100% correct and this clause must be changed to give you 7 days.
Clause 8.1.6 - if you think that tree roots, branches, etc are an issue, then this clause must be amended to include those items.
Clause 8.1.7 - I agree with you. That exclusion must come out of the agreement. If the blockage is caused by tree roots, then the landlord must pay. Otherwise, if the blockage is caused by you, you must pay.
Clause 8.1.8 - I agree with you. You must negotiate a change to this clause which you would be happy with.
Most lease agreements contain a clause like 8.1.10, and I don't think that your landlord will agree to change this clause. It is a standard clause to protect the landlord.
Agree regarding the building insurance.
Just tell the landlord that you want to put up paintings, and that you will fix the holes when you take the paintings down.
Exclude the trees from the pruning clause.
Ensure that your ability to keep the dogs on the property is included in the lease agreement.
Agree with your concerns regarding clause 9.1.1 - they must amend it so you are happy with the wording.
Most lease agreements contain a clause like 9.1.9, and I don't think that your landlord will agree to change this clause. It is a standard clause to protect the landlord.
Clause 11.1.2 means that if you can't use 50% of the property, then you are entitled to pay 50% less rental.
I agree with clause 12.1.4 - it is illegal.
Clause 17 means that if you are supposed to fix the toilet, and you don't, then the landlord can fix it on your behalf and then claim the costs from you. (the toilet is just an example of something that you are supposed to do in the lease)
Clause 18 is very broad. This needs to be changed.
Message from the client
Can I risk signing it and then take problems up with the Rental Housing comission if there is any dispute during the term of lease,
or will I be signing all my rights away ????
Message from the Lawyer
In relation to some of the issues (like where you have highlighted the housing tribunal) it is fine to sign the lease because you can't contract out of the law. The act will over-ride the terms of the lease.
But in relation to other issues, like maintenance things that you need to attend to, you must get that right before you sign the lease.