Understanding Your Rights in Long-Term Rental Contracts

Long-term rental contracts can be complex, but understanding your rights as a tenant or landlord is crucial for a smooth rental experience. In Indonesia, these contracts come with specific legal obligations and protections that both parties must be aware of. This guide aims to clarify these rights, helping you navigate your lease with confidence. For those looking to streamline the process, consider using our professionally crafted leasehold agreement template. Additionally, related documents such as our rent property lease agreement, sublease agreement, and lease amendment can further assist you in managing your rental property effectively.

Understanding your rights as a tenant in a long-term rental contract is essential to ensure that you are protected and treated fairly throughout your tenancy. Here are some key rights you should be aware of:

1. Right to a Safe and Habitable Living Environment: Tenants have the right to live in a property that meets basic health and safety standards. Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property’s structural integrity, ensuring that essential utilities like water, electricity, and gas are functioning properly, and addressing any health hazards such as mold or pests.

2. Right to Privacy: As a tenant, you have the right to enjoy your rented home without unwarranted intrusions. Landlords must provide reasonable notice, typically 24 hours, before entering the property, unless there is an emergency. This right to privacy ensures that you can live without unnecessary disruptions.

3. Right to Fair Treatment: Tenants are protected against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics. This means landlords must treat all potential and current tenants equally and fairly in all aspects of renting, including applications, lease terms, and repairs.

4. Right to Timely Repairs: Landlords are obligated to address repair requests promptly, especially those that affect the habitability of the property, such as plumbing issues, heating problems, or structural defects. Tenants should report such issues in writing to create a record of the request.

5. Right to Terminate the Lease Under Certain Conditions: Tenants may have the right to terminate the lease early under specific conditions, such as significant breaches by the landlord or if the property becomes uninhabitable. It’s important to review the lease agreement and understand the conditions under which early termination is allowed.

Knowing these rights empowers you to address issues that may arise during your tenancy and ensures that you are treated fairly.

Landlords also have specific rights under long-term rental contracts to ensure they can manage their properties effectively and protect their investments. Here are some important rights for landlords:

1. Right to Receive Rent on Time: Landlords are entitled to receive rent payments on the agreed-upon dates as specified in the lease agreement. This includes the right to charge late fees if payments are not made on time, provided such fees are clearly outlined in the lease terms.

2. Right to Property Maintenance and Upkeep: Landlords have the right to expect tenants to maintain the property in a reasonable condition. This means tenants should handle minor repairs and report major issues promptly. Tenants are also responsible for ensuring the property is clean and undamaged, apart from normal wear and tear.

3. Right to Access the Property: Landlords have the right to access the rental property for necessary inspections, repairs, and maintenance. However, they must provide reasonable notice, usually 24 hours, and visit at a convenient time for the tenant, except in emergencies where immediate access is required.

4. Right to Enforce Lease Terms: Landlords can enforce the terms of the lease agreement, including rules about property use, subletting, and other conditions specified in the contract. This helps maintain the property’s value and ensures it is used as agreed.

5. Right to Terminate the Lease for Cause: Landlords can terminate the lease if tenants violate lease terms, such as failing to pay rent, causing significant property damage, or engaging in illegal activities on the premises. Proper legal procedures must be followed to ensure a lawful termination.

Despite clear rights and obligations, issues can still arise in long-term rental contracts. Here are some common issues and how to address them: