Important tips 

Lease Agreements 

Terms and conditions of a lease agreement:

In terms of the Rental Housing Act, a lease must contain the following minimum information:

• the landlord’s name and address;
• the tenant’s name and address;
• a description of the property, e.g. its address;
• how much rent the tenant must pay and details of any escalation (increases in rent);
• any other moneys which the tenant must pay;
• when the rent must be paid – it is usually at the beginning of each calendar month;
• how much deposit the tenant must pay as security for any damage he or she might cause;
• the period of the lease – if there is no specific period, the lease must state how much notice must be given to end it;
• the landlord’s and tenant’s obligations towards each other;
• a list of existing defects to the property;
• any house rules that the tenant will have to obey; and
• a list of furniture and fittings (if the property is being let as a furnished unit).