Rent contracts Estate agent's fees are paid by the landlord. Never pay the agent any money, never sign any contracts or make any promises to an agent. All contracts should be signed with the landlord. Leases for shorter periods are more difficult to arrange, but nevertheless possible. Otherwise, the normal practice is just to accept the responsibility of finding a tenant to take over the lease.
Deposits are usually the equivalent of one month's rent for each year of the lease.
Leases are normally written, but may legally if rarely be oral. Only a written lease can validly impose a definite duration. At the end of the lease, the property is re-examined, and differences must be paid for or rectified by the tenant. Interest on mortgages may be deducted from taxable income. They could include gas, water, electricity, heat, telephone, building insurance, property taxes, conci rge and management.