MONEY UP FRONT

Make sure you have details ready of who is going to provide your references(for example, employers, previous landlord or agent, bank account etc)

If you are paying a 'reservation' or 'holding' deposit whilst your application for a tenancy is processed, make sure you get a receipt which sets out the circumstances under which you may or may not get your money back.

Subsequently, you may need to pay a minimum of 1 month's rent in advance, a damages deposit bond (usually equivalent to 1 1/2 month's rent) plus any other charges due to the agent. Make sure that you find out what this amount will be and arrange to have that amount available in 'cleared funds' (banker's draft, cash, bank guaranteed cheque).

THINGS TO FIND OUT, PLACES TO BE...

Before you arrange a date and time to sign the tenancy agreement, make sure that you (all tenants) have seen a copy and read it through, so that everyone understands their obligations. Ask questions to clarify anything that you are unclear on. All tenants must sign the tenancy agreement before they can move in.

Make sure that you are present to check the inventory when you move in and out of the property so that you can agree to any amendments. We recommend that you keep a signed copy of both the checking in and checking out inventory. This document will form the basis of any compensations claimed against you by the landlord.

WHAT DOES THE LETTING AGENT DO?

The agent will have certain obligations but these may vary from simply letting the property to letting and managing the property. Find out what the agent's responsibilities are. If they are simply responsible for letting the building, find out who is responsible for managing/ maintaining the property.

The agent will make regular checks on the property. Arrange a mutually convenient time for these checks and make a note of it.

LOOK AFTER THE PLACE

Responsibility for the property rests with you, the tenant. You will be responsible for making sure the building is secure and reporting any plumbing or electrical problems. If the property is in a sectional title scheme, you may also be bound by any rules and regulations affecting all residents within the scheme contained in the head lease.

ONCE YOU HAVE SIGNED...

Keep all your documents (such as insurance policy, copy of tenancy agreement and inventory) together in a file. Keep this file in a safe place.

GET YOURSELF CONNECTED

After you have signed the tenancy agreement but before you move in, contact your service providers (electric, water and telephone). You may be required to pay a deposit before they will connect you. It is also worth noting that Telkom carry out a credit check on customers before activating a line. Once you have moved in, make sure that you take meter readings and inform the relevant utility companies. You should also take a reading and inform the relevant companies when you move out.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

As a tenant, amongst other things, you will be responsible for:

Providing a television license (regardless of whether the TV is owned by the landlord or not)

Maintaining the terms of your tenancy agreement

Payment of utilities as agreed with your landlord

• Other things that you should bear in mind are:
• Insuring your possessions
• Informing the police if there is a break in or burglary