Housing acquisition
buying
renting
renting with option to buy
building
Low density Medium density High density
Single family dwelling Town houses Flats
- simplex Shanty houses
- duplex Hostels
Housing density
Types of housing
DETACHED HOUSE
Separate house and garden
TOWN HOUSE
Separate dwelling units (may share a common wall) are situated in a complex.
Each unit has their own garden. The complex may have certain facilities that are
shared amongst the owners e.g. pool
MOBLIE HOMES
May be a vacation home – prefabricated housing unit which can be moved from
one location to another
SHANTY HOUSE
A temporary shelter made from non-durable material – illegal housing due to the
poor standard of construction
FLATS
Compact, easy to care for & relatively inexpensive. High rise apartments help
deal with the shortage of space in cities
When deciding on your new home consider
, LOCATION place or position
region or area of the world
country, province, suburb,
neighbourhood
FORM particular shape or type of housing
high-rise apartment building,
townhouse, small house, mansion,
attached, detached or semi-detached
structure, single or double storey,
permanent or temporary structure
ACQUISITION getting something
involves process (buying, building,
renting or renting with the option to
buy)
cost (amount that you spend on rent
or mortgage payments, utilities and
home maintenance)
All of these factors will be dependent on:
Lifestyle
Financial position
Size of the family
Stage in the family life-cycle
RENTING
Leasing of accommodation paid in monthly installments (non-ownership)
Cannot afford to buy or build
Rent furnished or unfurnished
Lessee
Tenant
Pays fixed monthly amount
Ask lessor to put deposit in an interest bearing account
Lessor
Landlord/owner
Extra income
Responsible for rates
Capital gains tax if property is sold
Before renting unit
the tenant and property owner should inspect the property together
identify any property defects
ensure tenant is not charged for damages that occurred prior to the
renting period
,contract – lease agreement
a written legal document that states the rental conditions and both the rights
and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord
address
flat number
date on which the document is signed by both parties
name and address of the lessor and lessee
signature of both the lessee and the lessor
two witnesses
date of occupation & time period of the lease
statement of lease renewal (is the renewal automatic or subject to certain
conditions?)
notice period e.g. 30 days given to the tenant before he /she must vacate
the rented place or the time given to the owner before the tenant moves
out
responsibilities of landlord e.g. maintenance and tenant e.g. behaviour on
the property, no pets
amount of deposit and conditions attached to deposit i.e. whether the
landlord can keep all or part of the deposit to cover damage to the
property during the term of the lease
amount to be paid in rent per month and how it may be increased (if fixed
rental cannot be increased during that period)
date by which the tenant is expected to pay the rent
payment of water and electricity
clause on subletting
clause allowing the lessor entry to the unit for specific reasons or in an
emergency
clause regarding the final inspection in the presence of the tenant
landlord and tenant: must keeps to t’s and c’s (breach = sue/evict/cancel)
Successful renting
pay rent and utilities on time
keep clean, orderly, good condition
respect rights, thoughtful of other tenants
repair damage
report problems quickly (accept responsibility)
give notice of when you wish to move out
, Rental housing act
applies to all written/verbal lease agreements
controls relationship between landlord and tenants in private rental sector
protects both landlord and tenant
empowers rental housing tribunals to act if there is dispute
tribunal holds same authority as magistrates court
rights and responsibilities
Tenant Landlord
Must pay a deposit of one month’s Must put lease in writing
rent Must put the lessee’s deposit into
Must pay first month’s rent before an interest bearing account
occupying the premises The deposit protects the landlord if
Right to privacy during the lease the tenant fails to pay rent or if
period they damage the property
Right to live in the rented Must return the deposit after
accommodation (on payment of deducting reasonable costs of
rent) repairs
Landlord can only inspect the Both parties must inspect the
property after giving the tenant property before signing the lease
reasonable notice and on expiry of the lease
Right to not have the property
searched
Right not to have possessions
seized
Right not to have privacy of
communication abused unless
landlord has a court order
Responsibility to pay lease in full
and on time
Responsibility to inspect the
property before signing the lease
and make note of any defects
Inspect the property on expiry of
the lease
Pay additional expenses such as
water and electricity if not included
in the lease
Advantages and disadvantages of renting
Advantages Disadvantages
Monthly expenses may be lower No investment in or from property
than for ownership Years of paying rent you still do
Do not pay rates, HOC not own your own property
More affordable Difficult to find suitable property to
People have greater mobility rent subject to the rules of the
Owner responsible for owner
maintenance Owner may be slow to fix defects
Know what is expected in the lease Not allowed to make structural
Easy to change dwelling changes
Appropriate temporary residence Spend money on the property they
Fixed amount for limited period may not be reimbursed
Do not have to pay property/land Rent increase every year