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Renting Property in Bahrain and the Rental Contract
Renting Property in Bahrain and the Rental Contract Renting property in Bahrain is much like renting property in just about any other locale. However, each location has its own nuances and so does Bahrain. One area that’s important to understand prior to renting a property is the rental contract. Though it’s best to use a real estate agent, you should be familiar with the rental contract basics if you’re thinking about renting a place in Bahrain. Here are a few fundamentals regarding Bahrain rental contracts. Rental term Most Bahrain rental contracts are for a two-year term. However, you can find some properties with longer contract terms, and even those properties with a month-to-month lease. With the two-year contracts, it’s usually noted that you can get out of the contract after a one-year period. Most landlords are interested in the longer-term rental contracts so that it reduces the need to constantly fix up the unit after each and every tenant. All-inclusive This is a tricky term and if it’s not defined on the contract as to what it specifically covers, have the landlord note it down. All-inclusive can mean that the city tax, the electric and water bills and the cable charges are included in the monthly rental amount. Or, it can also mean that only the city taxes are included. That can make a real difference in the amount of your total rental apartment expenditure. The city tax is 10% of your rental charge, so if you’re paying $1000 for the total monthly bill, $100 goes to the city or district that you are renting in. Up-front payments Though you don’t have the huge down payment deposit like with a mortgage, you will still need to pay some up-front payments. These up-front payments should be clearly specified on your rental contract. Some common up-front payments include two months worth of rent, one for the first month and the second acting as a security deposit against damage or non-payment. End-of-lease When the lease is terminated, the contract usually notes that the apartment should be left in the same condition as it was first rented, minus and normal wear and tear. You should not be liable for that normal wear and tear, especially if you’ve been renting for longer than a year. If the contract does not mention the part about wear and tear, have it added. Homelist24 is an online property listing site that lists up-to-date property listings throughout the country, whether it’s an apartment for sale, home for rent, or a vacation rental. |