Things I asked to be included in lease. Reasonable? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Things I asked to be included in lease. Reasonable?

154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 August 2016 - 20:59

Ladies,

We are in the process of signing a lease on a villa. The owner is a local and is using an agent. I have a few questions.

First, I asked for the agent's RERA card and she provided a color copy (checked on RERA and is listed on there) but her broker RERA card actually expired in April. She claims it is "getting renewed." In addition, she is not just any agent but appears to be the exclusive agent for this small compound and has "managed" it for years. She is super professional and very knowledgeable. Is there nothing to worry about on her expiry?

Also...

1) Should I insist the owner be present for the lease signing? I read this is important. Or that the agent has a POA. Any info or opinions?
2) I asked for the owner's legal address to be added to the lease. Currently, there is only a name and phone number on his details written. Note...I do have his current passport copy, emirates ID copy, land lease / title copy) ...per my request. What if he doesn't want to attend the signing?
3) I asked that it be added on the lease that we be notified within 10 days if his phone number changes
4) I asked that it be added that "written notice" be defined on the lease as being via certified mail (not text or email) for any changes to terms, conditions or increases. (Have heard of text/email being counted before and this could "get lost" or "never arrive"...(in my opinion)
5) The landlord is listed as covering "major things" (listing major A/C repair specifically) but also said "anything up to 500dhs in the villa was our responsibility." I assumed this meant any service or repair on the A/C up to 500dhs was on us. I countered in my reply to the agent saying we did not want to be responsible for ANY cost on the A/C (even under 500dhs). My thoughts (from reading complaints by others online) is that it would not be unheard of to have 10x300dhs trips a year for a faulty air con. said, at least in year one we would want this until we know what we are dealing with.
6) I also asked that the owner pay to service the air con at least every 6-8 months at his cost to keep them in good shape
7) I said we wanted our refund of deposit within 2 weeks. The current lease did not have a timeline on it.

Do all of these things sound reasonable? Anything we missed or should be worried about?

Thanks! xx

154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 August 2016 - 11:46
Oh! I forgot... It says the tenant will be responsible for ''all taxes levied by the government on the subject of tenancy (such as municipal or other gov't fees). This is only the housing fee yes?
154
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 August 2016 - 11:40
Hi all, Got an update. All A/C is covered, all repair, all service. No matter the cost. Under 500dhs or not. LL covers. We did a walk-through after we decided we wanted it. I pointed out every single thing that needed to be repaired. Agent is having it done this week. No complaints. I think I will personally go to the land authority tomorrow with my copy of his title deed / plot info (as well as copies of passport, etc) and verify he is the owner. I don't want to give the impression that I don't trust him so if I can verify on my own, that will be easier. The cheque is going to this man who is a 70+ year old Emirati. I think he owns the whole compound. The agent doesn't see a reason to have the LL there and won't offer his address on the lease stating that "you already have his passport and emirates, etc.)" I guess it could be reasonable if he is a private person. Lease to be signed at agency office (per my request). Are you saying we need to see a POA from the agent? What does the POA need to say? Any other advise?
2264
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 August 2016 - 08:17
It would be very rare for Landlord and tenant to actually ever meet, or to attend signings - just doesn't happen. It's usually all done through an agent, unless you're dealing with the LL directly. The tenant being responsible for costs under 500 dhs is normal, virtually everyone has that. It does NOT mean you pay the first 500dhs for anything, but pay for anything that costs under 500dhs, anything over and the LL pays for it. Asking your LL to be responsible for paying for AC and servicing - apart from anything major - is not his responsibility, that falls to the tenant. Why should he? You're the one using it, not him. Don't get too 'demanding' or they'll put you in the 'difficult tenant' category and move on to someone else.
518
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 August 2016 - 04:01
As long as landlord signs the original document .. it should not matter if he sign in front of you or not. But I agree that landlord refusing to attend signing if he is in country might give a glimpse of his care free attitude towards the property / tenancy. 2 week is quite a tight time line to get refund especially if there is an agent involved. We have never been able to get ours before atleast 3 weeks solely because things work so slowly here.
394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 August 2016 - 23:45
I think a lot of people ask to see the original Title Deeds.- even if it is all in Arabic.The name in it must be the landlord. Check it is not a photo copy you only see as the details can be changed while photo copying but get photo copy to keep. There was that scam in the Greens where someone rented a number of flats by fraud as he did not have any connection to the owners - I don't remember how it was done but a lot of people lost a lot of money as he cashed the cheques. The agent should by now have updated her RERA number - why has it not been done for over 3 months? The owner/landlord should sign the contract or if not there should be a genuine POA which you should verify. The landlord should be willing to sign in front of you. If he is not it may show he will not be helpful if any problems arise - as this may be his attitude. Is he paying the DEWA and community charges on the contract?
 
 

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