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What is a tenancy agreement?

An agreement about renting property can be made in writing or verbally. The agreement must be in writing if either of the parties demand it. If the agreement is in writing, it is usually referred to as a contract. The tenancy agreement can be time specified or unspecified.

The tenancy agreement between the landlord and tenant is binding. It must include the landlord and tenant's rights and obligations.

We recommend a written contract

The Rent Disputes Tribunal recommend that you enter into a written agreement about renting property. This is because this gives both parties the opportunity to read in the written contract what they have agreed to.

Read through your contract thoughorly before you sign, to see what your rights and obligations are during the tenancy.

It can primarily not be agreed to anything that positions the tenant worse than what follows from the Tenancy Act.

In some sections of the Tenancy Act there can be made exceptions. For example does section 5-3 say «if nothing else is agreed», then the Tenancy Act's rules regarding maintenance obligations applies. This means that the parties can agree that the tenant has a different maintenance obligation than what follows from the law.