Legal Literacy - Understand your rights as a tenant of a house or boarding house! This short guide explains your basic rights, such as a clear lease agreement, habitable occupancy, privacy, and security. Get information on how to terminate a lease agreement and get your security deposit back.

Understanding of Lease Agreements

Before discussing the Basic Rights of House and Boarding House Tenants, it is important to know the definition of lease agreements.

Lease agreement, or in Arabic called ijarah, is a reciprocal agreement between two parties, where one party (thelessor) hands over an item to be used and enjoyed by the other party (thetenant) for a certain period of time, with payment of rent that has been agreed upon.

In short:

  • Lessor: The party that hands over an item to be used.
  • Tenant: The party that uses the item and pays rent.
  • Rent: Compensation given by the tenant to the lessor for the use of the item.
  • Term: The period of time during which the tenant can use the item.

Characteristics of Lease Agreements

Some characteristics of lease agreements:

  • Existence of an agreement: This agreement can be written or oral, and must contain agreements on the item being leased, the rent, and the term.
  • Existence of delivery of goods: The item being leased must be handed over to the tenant so that it can be used and its benefits enjoyed.
  • Existence of rent payment: The tenant is obliged to pay rent to the lessor in accordance with the agreement.
  • Specific time period: The tenant's use of the item is limited by a specific time period.

Lease agreements can be applied to various types of items, such as:

  • Movable goods: Vehicles, electronic equipment, clothing, etc.
  • Immovable goods: Houses, land, buildings, etc.
  • Services: Labor, expertise, etc.