There is no such thing as a "standard agreement". Leases and Contracts can be and should be negotiated. Responsibilities are delegated to both the landlord and the tenant upon entering a rental lease agreement. However, it’s common for people to deny legal advice on a contract or lease before signing it. This can be a costly mistake. The Contract or Lease may have terms and conditions that you may not have considered, or that you do not want. Disputes then often occur between landlords and tenants as their responsibilities were not fulfilled and in many cases, were not understood to begin with.
Contract and leasing disputes can be resolved in several manners, depending on the breach of the rental lease agreement and its severity.
If the landlord breaches the lease agreement, the tenant can apply to receive:
- Damages
- Compensation
- Rent abatement
- Termination of tenancy
If the tenant breaches the lease agreement, the landlord can resolve the dispute through:
- Recovery of rent
- Termination of tenancy
- Damages
- Recovery of property
Seeking contract advice will ensure you attain an adequate understanding of your responsibilities and can enter the agreement confidently. Preparation can prevent disputes occurring in the future.
Ask a lawyer for assistance before signing a lease agreement or any legal contracts. The team at Kennedy Spanner are happy to undergo a thorough inspection of any legal documents you have, and can then offer advice with regards to moving forward.