Tenant Rights in Nepal: What Every Renter Must Know

Finding a room in Kathmandu is exciting as well as stressful. If you don’t know the tenant rights in Nepal then you are in a deep trouble. These problems arises only in big cities of Nepal i.e. Kathmandu, Pokhara and others. In these places many people search for room in kathmandu, room near me or about searching flat rent in Kathmandu.

Before you step into the new city for accommodation you must know and understand about your basic rights and responsibilities. In Nepal, there is not a system of agreement between tenants and landlords, so problem arises whenever there is a dispute between tenant and landlord. There is always a misunderstanding on rent, repairs, security deposit whenever tenant is leaving home without proper agreement before living in the house, room or flat.

So if you are aware of tenants right in Nepal, then you will avoid these type of problems. Many doesn’t know that Nepalese Government provides civil law for both landlords and tenants. Here are some of the important things that every tenants should know:

Written Rental Agreement

The first and most important thing a tenant should do is a rental agreement. Normally a verbal agreement is done in Nepal as this is an old practice but the written agreement is more convenient and trustworthy for both tenant and landlord. 

As per the law of Nepal, for a legal threshold a written agreement is required. If the landlord deny for a written agreement, then tenant should think twice before doing any verbal agreement. 

The legal rental agreement should clearly mention:

1. Monthly rent amount
2. Security Deposit amount
3. Return mechanism of security deposit
4. Other payable bills like electricity, water, waste management and other bills.
5. Internal repair and maintenance responsibility
6. Notice period before leaving from the house/property.

Those tenants who are looking for room rent in Kathmandu or a house rent in Kathmandu must follow these agreement to avoid future arguments. 

Increase on Rent

In Nepal, there is no fix rental amount, not even government of Nepal know the rent prices of different places. The landlord decides how much amount should be taken from tenant. But the problem arises when landlord demands higher amount.

Before accepting the agreement the tenant should carefully check the agreement to know when and how the rent amount will be changed. A landlord is not allowed to simply increase the rent without considering the rental agreement. 

Protection from Forced Removal

Imagine being outside home for a day, the next day you arrive to your rental home and find out that the landlord haas changed your room lock key or cut your water supply just to provoke you, so that you leave their home. Such situations can become extremely painful for tenants.

Under tenants rights in Nepal, tenant have legal right for forced removal or improper eviction. There must be a valid reason and legal process to forcefully removing tenant from their property/house.

These types of problem may arise, so tenant should keep copy of their rental agreement, payment records, and the important messages with a landlord.

If you are finding room near me, your understanding on termination conditions before signing the agreement can save you from future problems.

Right to Safety and Privacy

The most important aspect of tenant rights in Nepal is the safety and suitable living for tenants. The basic facilities like water, electricity, sanitation, etc. should be available, a tenant always expects these basic facilities.

If you are searching for room rent in Kathmandu, house rent in Kathmandu, before you start living there carefully inspect the property and do not forget to check the windows, doors, electricity, plumbing, walls, kitchen, bathroom, network coverage etc. Also, taking video and photo can help as a proof for any future dispute if a disagreement happens when you leave.

Privacy is also one of the important part of living. Everyone wants a comfortable and private space for living. A landlord should never enter the tenant’s room or apartment without prior valid reason. This may be situations should be discussed before the final agreement and should include in rental agreement about these future predictable issues.

What Tenant should check?

Here is simple checklist before you move in or sign a rental agreement:

1. Confirm landlord details
2. Read rental agreement 
3. Confirm the monthly rent amount
4. Check electricity and water management 
5. Understand who will be responsible for repairs
6. Ask other facilities 
7. Take video and photo of the property
8. Keep receipts/bank slip of all the payments done

These are simple checklist before you move in to the new property. Always remember to check these and make confirmation about all these with your property owner.

Whether you searching room rent in Kathmandu, house rent in Kathmandu or flat near me, always take your time for rental agreement before making any payment. Sometimes you will find a good landlords, but never underestimate everyones nature.