The parties/signatories to this agreement are advised that signature of this document will have legal consequences. Where either party is unsure or does not understand the legal obligations and responsibilities placed upon them under this agreement, they are advised to seek legal advice before signing.
TENANCY AGREEMENT
for the Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland
This TENANCY AGREEMENT is made on: ________
1. PARTIES
A . Landlord:
________ whose resident address is at:
(hereafter "the Landlord")
B. Tenant:
________ of:
(hereafter "the Tenant")
C. Guarantor:
________ whose resident address is at:
(hereafter "the Guarantor")
The parties have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:
2. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
A. Definitions
I. "Agreement" means this lease and any document which is supplemental thereto or which is expressed to be collateral herewith or any document which is entered into in accordance with this Agreement;
II. "Property" means the property owned by the Landlord, as specified in this Agreement in the clause titled "THE PROPERTY";
III. "Common Areas" means the common areas and parts of the Property, rights of access and other/any common facilities within or used in connection with the Property, including the structure and exterior of the building which includes the property, which may or may not be owned by the Landlord;
IV. "Landlord" means the person or persons as specified to be Landlord and any and all persons deriving title from the Landlord;
V. "Tenant" means the person or persons designated as the Tenant under this agreement and where so permitted any assignees or sub-Tenants as permitted under this agreement and any personal representatives of the Tenant;
VI. "the period of this Agreement" or any variation thereof means the duration that this lease of the Property will be granted to the Tenant for as specified in this Agreement together with any continuation of that duration thereof;
VII. "the start date of this Agreement" or any variation thereof means the ________ ;
VIII. "Data Protection Laws" means the relevant laws, statutes, legislation, orders, regulations or any other relevant rules which may be applicable to the processing of personal data to which a party to this agreement is subject to, including the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 and any modification thereof;
IX. "Jointly and Severally Liable" means that, where there is more than one Tenant, each Tenant shall be fully and jointly liable for the obligations of all other Tenants as set out under this agreement. Where there is more than one Landlord, each Landlord shall be fully liable for the obligations of the other Landlord(s) to the Tenants as set out under this agreement;
X. "Rent" means the amount payable by the Tenant to the Landlord as set out under this agreement;
XI. "Guarantor" means a third party, requested by the Landlord, who shall meet any obligation and pay any rent in arrears where the Tenant fails to pay such rent or meet any such obligation. The guarantor can have legal action taken against them by the Landlord to recover any rent not paid by the Tenant or any obligation not met by the Tenant under this agreement.
B. Interpretations
I. Words which import the neuter gender only shall include the masculine and feminine genders; words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and vice versa.
II. Words which import the singular only shall also include the plural and vice versa; where two or more persons are included in the expression "the Tenant", or any variation thereof, obligations contained within this agreement which are to be made by the Tenant shall be binding jointly and severally on them and their respective representatives and executors.
III. Words importing persons, where that person is not a Tenant, include companies and vice versa.
IV. Reference to any Act of Parliament shall include any modification, reenactment, amendment or extension thereof for the time of it being in force and shall also include all orders, plans, regulations, directions, permissions, bye-laws and instruments for the time being made, issued or given thereunder or deriving validity therefrom.
V. Where any obligation placed on a Tenant under this agreement provides for the Tenant not to do an act or thing shall include an obligation not to permit such act or thing to be done and to prevent such act or thing being done by a third party.
VI. Any reference to the necessary consent or approval of the Landlord or words and phrases with similar effect shall mean the consent or approval of the Landlord in writing executed by or on behalf of the Landlord.
VII. Where there is any reference to the right of the Landlord to have access to the Property this shall be understood as to extend this right to any persons authorised to do so on behalf of the Landlord including but not limited to workmen, contractors, agents, professional advisors and others.
3. THE PROPERTY
A. The Property to be let under this agreement is at the following address:
B. The following other areas and/or facilities are included with the Property:
4. PERIOD OF THE AGREEMENT
A. Under the terms of this Agreement, the lease of the Property by the Tenant shall commence on ________ .
B. Under the terms of this Agreement the Tenant shall be permitted to use and occupy the Property from the ________ for a minimum period of one month from the start date of the Agreement and after the one month period this Agreement shall continue on a rolling basis monthly from this date until notice is given by either party to terminate this Agreement.
5. USE AND OCCUPATION OF THE PROPERTY
A. Under this terms of this agreement the Tenant agrees to occupy the Property as their residential home.
B. The Tenant shall be forbidden from carrying out any business, profession or trade from the Property unless prior written permission has been received and granted by the Landlord or the Landlord's representatives.
C. Where the Tenant shall be absent from the Property for a period exceeding fourteen days the Tenant is obligated to notify the Landlord of this and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Property is secure and to safeguard from frost or flooding or any other events which may cause damage to the Property that can be reasonably prevented.
6. RENT
A. Throughout the period of this Agreement, the Tenant shall pay rent to the Landlord on a weekly basis.
B. The Tenant shall pay the rent of £ ________ (________) per week.
C. The first payment of rent shall be paid on or before ________ . Thereafter rent payments must be received weekly from this date with each payment covering the week immediately following the one in which payment is made by the Tenant to the Landlord.
D. The method by which the Tenant should pay the Landlord is: ________ . This shall be the standard and preferred method of payment under this agreement. Rent may be paid using another method under reasonable circumstances and where the Tenant has agreed this with the Landlord prior to payment being made.
E. The Landlord will provide the Tenant with a rent book as is required by the relevant legislation within 28 days of the start date of the tenancy.
7. DEPOSIT
A. The Tenant is required to pay a deposit of £ ________ (________), to the Landlord, on or before ________ . The Tenant shall be provided with a receipt by the Landlord for the deposit paid. The deposit shall not be subject to any interest charges.
B. The Landlord shall lodge the deposit paid by the Tenant with a deposit protection scheme within fourteen days of receipt of the deposit. The Tenant shall be provided with all relevant and necessary information concerning the tenancy deposit scheme used by the Landlord within twenty-eight days of the Landlord's receipt of of the deposit.
C. In the event that the Tenant fails to meet any cost or payment which is due to the Landlord under this Agreement, or so otherwise mutually agreed by the parties in writing, the Landlord shall apply for any reasonable costs to be deducted from the deposit which has been paid by the Tenant. This shall include but it is not limited to any situation where the Tenant fails to pay the rent, charges for services, unpaid bills related to the property or the cost of repairs and cleaning to the property sustained as a result of the actions of the Tenant or persons connected to them.
D. Where at the end of the Tenancy all or some of the deposit remains, the Landlord shall request the deposit to be released by the tenancy deposit scheme. Where the Tenant disputes the amount available the tenancy deposit scheme shall conduct dispute resolution.
E. In the event that the Tenant owes a sum more than the deposit at the end of the Tenancy, the Tenant shall remain liable to the Landlord for the outstanding amount. The Landlord shall be entitled to carry out legal action against the Tenant to recover the outstanding debt.
8. LOCAL AUTHORITY TAXES AND UTILITY BILLS
A. Utilities
All payments of rent due under this Agreement shall be exclusive of any and all charges for the provision and supply of any gas, electricity and any other fuel or service supplied to the Property which is approved by the Landlord.
B. Local Authority taxes and charges
I. Where the Tenant is liable to pay any rates and other associated charges to the local authority it shall be the responsibility of the Tenant to notify the local authority of this. The amount payable to any local authority to cover any relevant taxes and charges will not be included in the rent payable by the Tenant under this Agreement.
II. Where the Tenant is exempt from paying any rates and other associated charges, the Tenant shall notify the local authority of this at the beginning of the period of this Agreement.
9. OTHER CHARGES
A. The following other charges shall be payable by the Tenant during the period of this Agreement:
B. The charges detailed above shall be included in the rent paid by Tenant throughout the period of the Agreement.
10. INSURANCE
A. The Landlord shall at all times during the operation of this Agreement insure and keep insured the Property and all parts thereof against the normal insured risks with the insurers for the full reinstatement value thereof. The Landlord will, if reasonably required and requested, produce a certificate from the Insurers to the Tenant stating the parts of the Property so insured and the date to which the premiums have been paid.
B. The Tenant shall be responsible for the insurance of any or all of their belongings which are present in the Property let by the Tenant from the Landlord. The Landlord shall have no obligation to insure the contents on the Property where those contents are the Property of the Tenant.
11. ASSIGNATION AND SUBLETTING
A. Where the Tenant has not been provided with written permission by the Landlord, they shall be forbidden from: subletting the Property or any part thereof; assigning their rights under this Agreement in the Property to another person; take in a lodger or any other persons unnamed in this Agreement; or assign any part of the Property or give up possession of the Property to any other person.
12. OTHER RESIDENT PERSONS
A. The Tenant must notify the Landlord in writing of any person aged sixteen or over who is resident in the Property, with the the Tenant, as their only or main home. The notice given to the Landlord must include details of the person's relationship to the Tenant and their name. In the event that the person leaves the Property, the Tenant must notify the Landlord in writing as soon as possible. Where the Tenant does not notify the Landlord of any person who is resident in the Property as their only or main home they shall be deemed to have breached this Agreement.
B. The Tenant shall ensure that any person who is resident with them in the Property shall take reasonable care not to breach any part of this Agreement as if that person was a tenant. Where such a person is found to have breached any part of this Agreement the Tenant shall be held liable for that person's actions. The Tenant shall be held responsible for any costs incurred to repair, replace or renew any part of the Property.
C. Where the Tenant allows a person to be resident in the Property and the Property becomes an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as a result of the Property being that person's main or only home, the Tenant shall be held liable for any reasonable costs or expenses incurred by the Landlord due to the Property being deemed an unlicensed HMO.
13. TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS
A. The Tenant agrees and undertakes to pay the rent herein stipulated at the times and in the manner aforesaid and without any retention, deduction or set-off save as aforesaid.
B. The Tenant shall refrain from engaging in antisocial behaviour and conduct while they are resident in the Property and any part thereof. Where the Tenant has any persons resident with them or any visitors to the Property, the Tenant shall be responsible for ensuring that these persons do not engage in antisocial behaviour while on the Property and any part thereof. In particular the Tenant and any persons connected to them must not engage in any antisocial behaviour towards anyone present in the Property, a neighbour, the Landlord, agent, contractor and any other persons. Where the Tenant is found to have engaged in antisocial behaviour, this shall be a ground for termination of this Agreement.
C. The Tenant agrees to take reasonable care of the Property and any common parts thereof which the Property form part and in particular agrees to undertake the following obligations:
I. To keep the Property aired and heated.
II. To be liable for the cost of any repairs where the damage that has been sustained is attributable to the fault or negligence of the Tenant or any person or guest residing with them.
III. To not keep or bring any hazardous or combustible goods or materials into the Property or any parts thereof, notwithstanding the normal and safe use and storage of petroleum and gas for commonly used household goods and appliances.
IV. Not to put any oil, grease or other damaging or corrosive material down drains, waste pipes or into any washing or sanitary appliances.
V. To keep the Property and any parts thereof clean and in good working order and the fixtures and fittings and furniture there in good condition.
VI. To dispose of all rubbish in an appropriate manner and at an appropriate time and to ensure than any rubbish is not placed or stored in any common areas at any time.
VII. To prevent water pipes freezing in cold weather.
VIII. To avoid danger to the Property and any parts therein or any neighbouring property by way of fire or flooding.
IX. Not to tamper or interfere with any smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, heat detectors or the fire alarm system.
X. Not to tamper or interfere with any locks or relevant door closing mechanisms included within the Property.
XI. To immediately notify the Landlord of any structural damage or defects in the Property or any other part thereof.
XII. Not to change or add any locks to the property without the prior written permission of the Landlord and where the replacement of any keys, locks or access devices are necessary due to the fault of the Tenant they shall be liable to cover the costs of such necessary replacements.
XIII. Not to mistreat any furniture or furnishings provided for the use of the Tenant, or provide any person residing with them to mistreat any furniture or furnishings and, in the event of the latter occurring, to take such steps as are available to remove that person from the Property.
XIV. Not to keep any pets within the Property or any part thereof at any time.
XV. Not to make any alterations to the Property, it fixtures or fittings, nor to carry out any external alterations at anytime whatsoever.
XVI. To keep any area of garden in good order and to not cause damage to any part or parts of it.
XVII. The Tenant shall not be permitted to decorate the Property in any colour scheme that differs from that which the Property is decorated in at the beginning of the Agreement.
XVIII. Not to access the roof or attic area of the tenement without the Landlord's express written permission, except where it becomes necessary in the case of an emergency.
XIX. To ensure that at the termination of this tenancy Agreement the Property is cleaned to the highest standard and that any carpets, curtains and other similar fabrics are free from stains and soils which occurred during course of this Agreement.
14. LANDLORD'S WARRANTY
A. Provided that the Tenant upholds and fulfils its obligations and all other stipulations as set out under this Agreement and pays the rents and other payments herein stipulated the Tenant shall and may peaceably hold and enjoy the Property during the period of this Lease free from any lawful interruption by the Landlord or any person rightfully claiming through, under or in trust for it.
15. LANDLORD ACCESS TO PROPERTY
A. The Tenant agrees to allow the Landlord access to the Property from time to time as is necessary. The Tenant shall be given no less than forty-eight hours notice of the Landlord's intention to visit. The Tenant must allow access for repairs which the Landlord is required to do under this Agreement, by the law, or by any other agreement between the parties. The Tenant must also allow any tradesperson, or contractors hired by the Landlord, access to the Property to carry out relevant repairs or any other work as is deemed necessary.
B. The Tenant must allow access to the Premises by the Landlord for inspections to ensure the Premises is being cared for properly under the terms of this Agreement. Inspections shall be carried out Monthly. The first inspection shall happen on ________ . Thereafter inspections shall take place every month subsequently. The Tenant shall be given forty-eight hours notice before every inspection and shall agree with the Landlord a suitable time for the inspections to take place for both parties.
C. In the event of an emergency, the Landlord reserves the right to effect forcible entry to the Property where access is not made available by the Tenant or the Tenant is absent from the Property. Where emergency access is required to the Property the forty-eight hour notice period shall not be necessary.
A. The Tenant accepts the Property as is in good tenantable order and condition.
B. Throughout the duration of this Agreement, the Landlord shall have the following responsibilities:
I. To maintain the Property in a wind and watertight condition and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation. Where the Tenant has caused any condition or defect which prevents the Property from being in such condition the Tenant shall be liable to restore the Property to such condition fit for human habitation;
II. To ensure the structure and exterior of the Property is kept in good repair, provided the Landlord is able to secure the co-operation of any relevant joint owner of the building or common parts thereof, including the drain, gutters, downpipes; the roof; the outside walls, doors, windowsills and window frames; the common stairway and common parts; the chimneys and chimney stacks; the pathways and other means of access; the plasterwork, and the boundary walls and fences;
III. To keep in repair and in proper working order all installations in the Property for the supply of water, gas, electricity, heating, water heating, and sanitation except where the working order of any installation has been caused by the Tenant or persons connected to them. This obligation shall include the upkeep and repair of any basins, sinks, baths, showers, toilets; fitted gas or electric fires and central heating systems; any cooking facilities and extractor fan. Where any of these facilities are installed by the Tenant the Landlord shall not be responsible for their upkeep;
IV. To replace or repair any fixtures, fittings or furnishings supplied by the Landlord which have become defective in a reasonable timeframe. Where any such defect has been caused by the Tenant the Tenant shall be responsible for any replacement or repairs.
C. The Tenant shall be obligated to notify the Landlord immediately of any need for repair to any part of the Property and the Landlord undertakes, in a reasonable period of time after notification, to carry out all repairs for which he is responsible under this Agreement.
D. The Tenant agrees that they will be responsible for the cost of any repairs caused by their fault or negligence or the fault or negligence of any person residing with them or visiting them or any other person for who the Tenant is legally responsible for.
17. CONTENTS AND CONDITION
A. The Tenant undertakes and agrees that the Inventory and Record of Condition, attached to this Agreement, that will be supplied to the Tenant no later than the start date of the tenancy on ________ , is a complete and accurate reflection of the contents and condition of the contents contained within the Property at the start date of the tenancy.
B. Upon receipt of the Inventory and Record of Condition the Tenant shall sign the document confirming receipt of such Inventory and shall have ________ from the start date of this Agreement to confirm that the Inventory is accurate and shall either:
I. notify the Landlord is writing of any discrepancies contained within the Inventory and Record of Condition so such discrepancies can be amended; or
II. accept the contents and findings of the Inventory and Record of Condition by taking no action and after the ________ day period has passed the Tenant will be deemed to be satisfied that the information contained within the Inventory and Record of Condition is accurate.
C. Where any of the contents of the Property are destroyed, damaged, removed or lost during the tenancy the Tenant shall be liable for the cost of any replacement or repairs required where it is necessary due to the actions of the Tenant or any persons connected to the Tenant. Where replacement or repair is due to reasonable and expected wear and tear, the Tenant shall not be liable for any costs. Any items which must be replaced shall be replaced by items of an equivalent value and quality.
18. SMOKING
A. The Tenant shall be forbidden to smoke or to permit visitors, or other persons resident with the Tenant, to smoke tobacco or any other substance in the Property and any parts thereof.
19. GUARANTOR OBLIGATIONS
A. In consideration of the Landlord agreeing to this Agreement and the Tenancy, the Guarantor covenants with the Landlord that the Tenant will pay the Rent and comply with all the Tenant's obligations in this Agreement. In any case of default by the Tenant the Guarantor will pay the rents and comply with those obligations, and will on demand make good to the Landlord on a full indemnity basis all liability incurred or suffered by the Landlord as a result of that default;
B. As between the Landlord and the Guarantor, the Guarantor is a principal debtor and not merely a surety;
C. The Guarantor's liability will not be reduced or discharged by any of the following:
I. any time, indulgence or concession granted by the Landlord to the Tenant or to any other person who is liable;
II. the existence of or dealing with, varying or failing to perfect or enforce any security which may be or become available to the Landlord;
III. any right to set off (whether legal or equitable), counterclaim or deduction which may have accrued to the Tenant or the Guarantor;
IV. any non-acceptance of the Rent or other sums due under this Agreement in circumstances where the Landlord has reason to suspect a breach of the Tenant's obligations under this Agreement;
V. any waiver by the Landlord of any right to forfeit this Agreement;
VI. the end of the fixed term of this Agreement.
20. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT
A. The Tenant or the Landlord may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to quit to the relevant party within the required notice period. Where this agreement has lasted for five or less consecutive years notice to quit must be given within at least four weeks of the date on which the serving party wishes the tenancy to terminate. Where this agreement has lasted for more than five and not more than ten consecutive years notice to quit must be given within at least eight weeks of the date on which the serving party wishes the tenancy to terminate. Where this agreement has lasted for 10 or more consecutive years notice to quit must be given within at least twelve weeks of the date on which the serving party wishes the tenancy to terminate.Where the Landlord and Tenant have agreed to waive the required notice period, the tenancy may end at an earlier date. This agreement must be given in writing. The tenancy shall end on the date specified in the notice given by the Tenant or the Landlord or at the earlier date agreed to by the parties.
B. Where the Tenant has breached any term, condition, undertaking or obligation under this agreement or is in arrears of rent the Landlord shall be able to serve the Tenant with a notice to quit providing them with the necessary notice period pertaining to the length of the tenancy. Where the Tenant refuses to comply with any notice to quit which has been properly served the Landlord shall seek a possession order from the courts in order to peaceably obtain possession of the Property.
21. NOTICES
A. Any notice served by the Landlord on the Tenant must be served in writing and will be deemed sufficiently served if sent by recorded delivery post to the Tenant or if left at the Property. Notices shall be taken to have been received the day after being left at the Property or the day after recorded delivery.
B. Any notice served by the Tenant on the Landlord must be served in writing and will be deemed sufficiently served if sent by recorded delivery post to or left at the Landlord's Address. Notices shall be taken to have been received the day after recorded delivery.
22. 28855585
A. 552 522522 85588 228552 252 25258255 88 82522282825 82 52852822 22 588 525 522 5828228, 25282258228, 8555228, 82828, 885828 525 5225258 5258282, 85222525 25 82855525 82 252 25258255 58 5 528582 22:
I. 522 582 22 252 25222522 25 522 522282 82 252 25222522 25 252 85552822 252 22 522 555828228 25 58225528228 22 252 25222522;
II. 822252252282 25 5882225 822252252282 22 522 8252 25 522 28825582822 22 5 58252 25 5882225 58252 22 88252, 55582522, 585 525 522 22525 8585 58252 85885 228 258828 225 252 8222282 525 222222222 22 522 228258255822, 552282822 25 55258222 25222522; 525
III. 522 852585 25 2588552 22 2882582 522 28882528228, 8225828228 525 22525 2528888228 822258225 882582 2588 525222222 82 252 522522.
B. 822 522525 225 5222 25 522 5882225282 22 5222, 25 522 22525 852 552 525 2525882 82 252 522522 52525 2588 825222222, 82 252 25258255 25 828 52222 8825 222882522 22 522 852585 22 252 28882528228 22 252 2552 22 252 522522 52525 2588 525222222 85588 222 82 25 82 8228852525 22 82 5 858825 852882 25 255285882 22 522 8585 852585. 822 852585 22 28882528228 82 252 522522 85588 82 8228852525 22 82 5 8222825822 852585 525 252 522522 525 522 225822 82 2288288822 22 25 5285822 522 82225282 52525 25 2552525 252 522522 85588 222 82 22282825 22 822 52 522 8585 522525 225 25 5882225282 22 5222 82 252 25258255 25 828 52222 58 5 5222282 82 522 582822 225 22528252822 22 2588 825222222 25 225258882.
C. Unless 58 5 528582 22 252 25258255'8 2228822282, 252 25258255 85588 222 82 25 828222 885882 22 252 522522 25 522 525 588 2258228 822228225 22 2522 52 522 2822 8552822825 82 52852822 22 522 22582258 822552, 52525, 8288, 552522 25 2522282 858258225 82 252 522522 25 522 525 588 2258228 822228225 22 2522 85882 2528222 82 252 25222522 25 522 25528 2525222 25 225 522 22582258 822552, 52525, 8288, 2522282 25 552522 82855525 82 252 522522 25 522 525 588 2258228 822228225 22 2522 2552525 522 582 25 22888822 22 252 25225822258, 2225228 25 288528258 22 252 522582525 22 252 25222522 25 522 22525 552282822 25 228258255822 2522252828.
23. 555588852558
A. 25252 522 58822225 525 5282228825 8252 22 552525822 28258 522 885582, 252888822, 52525252822, 822582822, 2888252822, 2252 25 522 22525 82825852822 882582 2588 825222222 22 82 52858258 25 5222225825882 22 522 8585 252222, 8585 885582, 252888822, 52525252822, 822582822, 2888252822, 2252 25 522 22525 82825852822 882582 2588 825222222 85588 82 8282525 2522 252 522582525 22 252 825222222 525 588 22525 522582822 8855828, 2528888228, 525252528228, 8225828228, 28882528228, 22528 525 588 525 522 22525 828258528228 85588 522582 82 222282 525 85885 22 25285 2588282 252222 58 225282225 82 252 858.
24. GOVERNING LAW
A. This lease shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the Law of Northern Ireland and any dispute, difference or question of any kind which shall or may arise between the parties of this Agreement shall be determined exclusively in accordance with the Law of Northern Ireland and the jurisdiction of the Northern Irish Courts.
25. CONSENT TO REGISTRATION
The parties consent to registration hereof for preservation and execution: IN WITNESS WHEREOF
_______________________________
Signature of ________
_______________________________
Signature of Witness
_______________________________
Name of Witness (BLOCK CAPITALS)