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Know your rights: Landlords and tenants

To avoid friction as tenants and landlords, there are certain rules and rights everyone should be aware of. So, here is a simple look at some commonly overlooked aspects.

In case of rental accommodations, tenants often face disputes with their landlords regarding minor things. Therefore, it is important to know and respect your rights as tenants as well as landlords to live in harmony.

 

Simplest requirements which the landlord (licensor) is supposed to provide to the tenant (licensee):

  • The proper details of the licensed area, like: size of the premises along with the availability of various other facilities such as car parking etc.
  • Compliance to cooperate for getting all the documents (the leave and license agreement) properly stamped and registered at the sub- registrar’s office.
  • To allow the incessant, safe and private use and occupation of the mentioned, licensed property to the licensee.
  • To provide clear right, title and interest to the licensee.
  • Tenants should properly inspect the property it for any defects, make a note of it and share it with the landlords before they rent it.
  • All the plumbing systems, electrical fittings, and other provisions in the apartment must be in usable condition. And this need to be checked by the tenants beforehand
  • Some tenants might also ask for some repairs or paint jobs to be done in the property before shifting.

Who pays for repairs in a rented apartment?

According to the experts, ideally, the licensor for the landlord is supposed to bear all the costs which arise out of wear and tear and any kind of structural damage which is caused to the premises, since the monthly license fees are enjoyed by them.

However many or rather most of the parties agree to the thing that when the licensor bears the costs of any long-term structural damage, the regular wear and tear is borne by the licensor or the tenant.

When should the deposit be handed over to the landlord?

While the tenant moves to into the rented property, he/she usually gives an advance as a security to the landlord as the Deposit. Deposit serves the purpose for the landlord in case of any damages or non- payment by the tenant. The payment period for the deposit is usually discussed at the time of signing the agreement with the landlord. Administrative fees are typically included in the deposit. All the reasons for which the deposit can be deducted must be mentioned in the agreement. After the completion of tenancy period, the deposit is returned to the tenant after applying all the deductions (if any).

 

How much can my rent be increased?

Any increase in rent is completely based on the understanding between the licensor and the licensee. As per the law strictly, there isn’t any restriction on the increase. But, the licensee must negotiate to settle on fair conditions, wrt to the increase of the rent.

 

Under what condition the tenant can be asked to vacate the property?

The tenant can be asked to vacate the property under two conditions:

  • Eviction with a cause and
  • Eviction without a cause

In the words of Dhruva: “In case of eviction without a cause, the landlords can allow the tenants the pre- decided notice period, to look for any alternate accommodation.” In majority of the cases, the cause for eviction can be any of the following:

  • Non- consistent paying of the payments
  • Violation of terms or conditions discussed in the agreement.
  • Taking place of any illegal activities on the leased property.
  • Damage to the rental property.

 

November 1, 2017 / by / in
A complete guide: How to calculate property tax in Gurugram

There are certain taxes on the property which are paid only once. But, Property tax is one recurring charge which the home owners need to pay every year. This amount of this payable tax varies from one location to the other.

For the payment of property tax in Gurugram, the guide is:

For the Residential Property owners in Gurugram, they are liable to pay the property tax every year to the MCG (i.e. Municipal Corporation of Gurugram). There is a very simple system followed by MSG for the calculation of property tax which mainly takes into account the size of property along with its use.

How to calculate property tax for a residential property in Gurugram

As mentioned earlier, the property tax payable in Gurugram is based on two factors: Area and Use (Residential/Non-Commercial/Commercial). The following guidelines are provided by the MCG to calculate property tax on residential properties

 

Area (in sq yards) Rate (in Rs per sq yard)
Up to 300 sq yards Rs 1 per sq yard
301 to 500 sq yards Rs 4 per sq yard
501 to 1,000 sq yards Rs 6 per sq yard
1,001 sq yards to 2 acres Rs 7 per sq yard
More than 2 acres Rs 10 per sq yard

 

Property tax on vacant land (residential):

Plot size Rate (in Rs per sq yard)
Up to 100 sq yards Exempted
101-500 sq yards Rs 0.50 per sq yard
501 sq yards and above Re 1 per sq yard

 

 

 

Rebates for payment of property tax

  • There is a 100% rebate on the self- occupied residential houses owned by the defense/paramilitary force personnel and ex-service/ex-paramilitary force personnel or his/her spouse. This rebate can also be availed by the families of deceased soldiers/ex-servicemen/ex-central paramilitary forces personnel, with the condition that they should not own any other residential property in Haryana and are presently residing in the property and have not let out any part of the house.
  • Another 100% of rebate is also given to the self occupied houses of freedom fighters or their spouse and war widows
  • Owners of vacant plots of 1 acre and above which are being used for horticulture or agriculture can also avail 100% rebate.
  • The property owners who clear the property tax dues within the 45 days  after the notification of rates has been declared, can also avail a onetime rebate of 30%
  • Those who pay the total property tax amount before July 31, are eligible for 10% rebate

Paying your property tax

You can pay your property tax conveniently on the MCG Website. The site calculates the amount of tax to be paid by you once you enter your unique Property ID number or Name and Address. Payments can be made through Internet Banking or Debit/Credit Card.

There is a self-assessment property tax form provided by MSG which includes all the guidelines and steps mentioned for the type of property and respective amount you need to pay. There are MCG’s Citizen Facilitation Centers where the property tax can be paid manually.

 

October 31, 2017 / by / in