A tenancy agreement is one of the most commonly used legal contracts available online. With many people renting across the globe, especially since economic downturn in 2008,why is a verbal tenancy agreement not sufficient?

A verbal tenancy agreement is not sufficient is because these types of agreements may not stand up in court. If something is spoken, it is difficult for it to be recorded so that it can be relied upon at a later date, should any dispute arise.  In this situation, the most fair-minded and seemingly honest party may have more weight in a courtroom. Verbal agreements can easily become a “he says, she says,” situation. In such cases, the judge will only be able to go on the conduct of the parties throughout the tenancy and any evidence to support this, meaning that the result is not always the right one, because proof is limited.

Tenancy agreements are considered as legal binding documents or contracts that bind both the tenant(s) and landlord to certain requirements. When there is a tenancy agreement, the tenant has more rights, which includes the exclusive right to enjoy living in their described resident in exchange for money that is paid to the property owner.

Outlines are written in agreements, which include responsibilities and rights of both the tenant and landowner. Both parties must adhere to the contract during the agreement term.

Government laws are followed to pursue court cases that involved agreements. If there is a verbal agreement, it may be difficult to follow or enforce. If for some reason conflicts develop, the judge must hear evidence in order to decide whose version he will accept as true. If you have a written agreement however, the judge will base his decision on the terms that are written in the documents, despite if you agree or not.

Thus, promises or handshakes between landowners and tenants often do not stand up in court. Verbal contracts in comparison to lease or contracts have less weight. Therefore, tenants should always ask for a written contract or lease to protect his or her rights.
Lease

A lease is an agreement that usually contains rules and conditions like contracts. Lease agreements pull more weight in courts than contracts. A lease will cover common issues, such as security deposit, rent amount, and tells the judge if you are allowed to have pets, or how long you can live at the residence. The judge will consider all aspects of a lease as well as a written contract.

A lease will provide you with a rental, and legal contract that allows you to exclusive possession of someone else’s property for a set time in return for payments. Most leases cannot be broken easily by the landowner or the tenant unless some legal activities are occurring or a breach of lease occurs.

Contracts on the other hand are short-term agreements between the landowner and tenant. Most contract agreements are set up on a month-to-month basis, which the tenant could be at risk of eviction in the event the landowner decides that he or she does not like the person, or if the tenant is not adhering to the rights and responsibilities that are written in the document. Thus, a lease is a more powerful document, which should tell you exactly Tenancy- why a verbal tenancy agreement is not sufficient.
 
Tenancy - why a verbal tenancy agreement is not sufficient because it is not smart – a promise or handshake will not stand up in a court. If you have had problems with your property owner in the past, it is unwise to accept verbal agreements. It is irresponsible in fact to not ask a landowner to provide you with a written lease or tenant agreement. Yet, those agreements in writing should comprise of specific details that has been agreed upon by both the landowner and you.

Tenancy - why a verbal tenancy agreement is not sufficient – because verbal communications will not stand up in court, you should have a written agreement. Yet, you may find yourself reading up to ten pages of content that is confusing as the landowner may add legal terms that you may not understand.

Landowners can turn you down if you refuse to sign a legal tenancy agreement or lease. Yet, if you sign a legal tenancy agreement or lease and cannot understand the terms, you may as well accept a verbal agreement. Either way you are at risk. If you cannot understand the terms and conditions, you will never know if the landowner is being fair. In this case, you will not be able to take legal action, as the advantage will probably be in the hands of your landowner.

Both leases and tenancy agreements are legally binding documents that address your terms as a renter. You should always ask for a written lease or tenancy agreement instead of accepting a verbal contract. Both leases and tenancy agreements cover common issues, which include rent amount, security deposit, and inform you who can live in the residential property. The length of tenancy is considered, as it is the prime difference in lease and tenancy agreements.

Rental agreements often stipulated that you could live in the residence on a short-term basis whereas a lease is a year-to-year agreement. Each month the tenancy agreement is renewed. Leases are renewed each year.

If you sign a lease then both you and the property owner is obligated to the rules, terms, and conditions for the term of the lease. Your property owner cannot force you to move out of the property just because they don’t like you. Thus, the property owner is obligated to fill his obligations to the lease otherwise; it becomes a breach of contract issue in which the courts will review.

Both leases and tenancy agreements contain rules or conditions. Yet with lease, the rules and conditions are respected by the courts more so than that of tenancy agreements. Thus, Tenancy - why a verbal tenancy agreement is not sufficient because if you verbally agree to rent amount, pets, or other terms verbally, and the landlord changes his or her mind later, the courts are more prone to favor the property owner, which means that you will not have legal grounds in the court of law.

 
    Landlord Inventory of Furniture

    Whether you are in a buy to let situation or just renting a furnished property you owe it to yourself to protect all assets.  An assured shorthold tenancy will cover most aspects of the tenancy situation.  For example it discusses the parties involved, time the letting begins and ends, the rent amount, clauses regarding rent and termination, as well as other addendums like pets.  If you have furniture in the property you let you want to make sure one of the addenda discusses any damage or loss of that furniture.  You also want to add in the Landlord Inventory of Furniture document. 

    A landlord inventory of furniture document outlines specifics regarding those furnishings.  Some aspects you might need to record include:

    ·         The colour of the furnishings

    ·         Brand

    ·         Any damage already done to the furniture

    ·         How many pieces are there

    ·         Where the pieces are located

     

    You need to be as detailed as possible regarding the furnishings.  The inventory template offered here provides you with a room by room description of the furniture you are leaving behind.  For example, the living room might list tables, couch, chair, and lamps.  You may be further detailed in the brands of these items, their colour, and their condition.  Once the inventory is complete you can have the tenant sign the addenda stating they have read the inventory list and agree.  As part of the tenancy agreement you might have a section in the inventory and furnishings section outlining how the deposit can be split up in the event damage to the furniture results from tenant use. 

    The template offered on this site can be modified to fulfil your needs regarding inventory of furniture.  Remember, the more detailed you are regarding the furnishings the better off you will be in a legal situation.  If you fail to mention a piece of furniture or that a portion of the deposit can be kept due to damage or loss of furniture you might not have a legal stand.  The inventory of furniture is not a legal document on its own, which is why it must be incorporated with the tenancy agreement.

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