Similar to buying a house, renting is a big decision that entails plenty of financial commitment and legal responsibilities.

Whether you’re a first-time or seasoned renter, it is wise to ask your prospective landlords some key questions before you sign the tenancy agreement to rent a house.

Here are some of the key questions to ask before signing on the dotted line:

How often will rent increase and by approximately how much?

Rent increases are an inevitable part of any tenant's life. Hence, it is best to check with your landlord on when and how much he/she is going to increase the rent and put that down in black and white in order to protect your interest.

If you are renting a house for a relatively longer period such as one year with a written fixed-term tenancy agreement, you will have more time to find a new place before the increased rent kicks in.

However, if it is a short-term tenancy which runs from month to month or six-month to six-month, you will have to rush to find a new place to rent due to the relatively short time frame.  

What is the internet speed like?

This could be the most important consideration for renters nowadays as the internet has become an essential utility as electricity and running water.

Hence, if you need a decent internet speed that enables you to learn online, stream music or movies, play games – it is best to do a speed test before you rent the house.

Also, check with the landlord whether he/she is willing to upgrade the internet service if you are not satisfied with the current speed, and who will be paying the internet service.

Repairing and fixing – who pays the bill?

Before you rent a house, make sure you conduct a thorough check for any damage or broken items and ask the landlord whether they will be fixed or not before moving into the house. 

If they can’t or won’t fix it, make sure to take a picture of the damage or broken to keep a record, which will come in handy in case of any disputes in the future.

It is also important to ask the landlord who you should contact in the event of an emergency, such as a pipe burst, broken toilet and electrical fault. More importantly, check who is responsible for those repairs.

What happens if you need to terminate the tenancy early?

Typically, the tenancy agreement specifies how much notice you need to give the landlord before moving out of the property, which can vary from one to three months.

But what happens when you have to move to a new place due to unexpected events, such as a new job in another state or a family emergency?

Hence, ask your landlord if you would be able to get out of your lease early and whether it would incur any fees or forfeiting your security deposit for early termination.

It’s a good idea to find out about these in order to understand what happens in case you need to move sooner than you anticipated.

Are the terms and conditions negotiable? 

Before you sign on the dotted line, you can try and challenge any terms and conditions that you are not happy with.

These can be the landlord's repair obligations, the amount and frequency of rent increases, penalty fees and late interest charges.

The landlord may not agree with all the terms that you negotiate, but at least you have tried!

Moreover, you should not sign any legal contract until you fully understand the terms and conditions and are happy to comply with them.

Conclusion

There's a lot more detail to consider when you really get into renting a house. Hence, it is highly recommended for renters to appoint a rental agent to negotiate for better terms and safeguard their interest.

Professional property agents possess intimate knowledge about the process of renting and tenancy agreement, thus helping you to make an informed decision.