Rent and Fees Clauses

A tenancy agreement is binding. By signing it, you indicate that you abide by all its provisions. Although there are legal remedies to abusive or unlawful terms and acts, it pays to read and understand a contract before signing it.Rent and fees clauses may be advantageous or disadvantageous to a tenant. The “confession of judgement” clause, for example, provides the landlord the right to get a judgement against the tenant without giving proper notice. This clause, when combined with an “acceleration of rent” clause could put a tenant in huge trouble. The “acceleration of rent” clause, provides the landlord the right to make the total amount of rent due under a tenant’s lease currently due and payable.

Signing Contract

This clause can only be enforced under certain circumstances, normally when the tenant misses payments. Upon payment default, the landlord can collect the total amount of rent due under the lease or rent agreement, even if the tenancy term has not lapsed.

As a tenant, you should seriously decide before signing a tenancy agreement that contains these two clauses.