Annual rentals in Senegal are governed by a contract , sometimes called a lease agreement . This document is signed by the property owner and the tenant. Several elements must be included to guarantee its validity . The aim is to regulate the relationship between the two parties involved in the contract and thus ensure a smooth rental process. This article will examine the mandatory elements that must be included.
The identity of the 2 parties
The aim here is to clearly define the two parties by naming them precisely. Whether for an individual or a legal entity, the identities of the landlord (owner) and the tenant (lessee) must be clearly stated. There must be no doubt about their identities; this is why identification is very often requested, to guarantee the true identity of each party.
The following information will therefore generally be found:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Passport or identity card number
- Company documents if it is a legal entity
Once the parties are clearly identified, the contract can proceed.
The purpose of the contract
This is generally the second part of the rental agreement in Senegal. It contains the definition and characteristics of the rented property. The aim is also to leave no room for doubt about it. Several pieces of information will be stipulated, including:
- The address and exact location of the accommodation
- The type of property (apartment, house, other…)
- Condominium or not
- Additional elements
Once the location has been definitively identified, a description of the property will also be recommended. This will include the number of rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.), surface area, presence or absence of a terrace, and a list of amenities (fitted kitchen, air conditioning, etc.).
In the context of a furnished rental, a collection of all the elements will be noted in the contract.
Contract effective date
The aim here is to define the duration of the rental agreement in Senegal. Therefore, the exact move-in date will be indicated, as well as its duration. The contract is generally tacitly renewable .
The notice period will also be outlined in the event of a tenant wishing to leave or a landlord wishing to reclaim their property. The notice period is generally agreed upon by both parties.
Financial terms
Several elements will inform this section. First, the rent amount must be clearly defined. It must include both the rent and the charges . The definition of these charges must be clearly stipulated (water, maintenance of common areas, etc.) and their method of calculation must be clear.
A payment deadline date (usually the 5th of the month) and the payment method must be shown.
A security deposit will also be required by the landlord. This is usually equivalent to one month's rent, which will cover any potential costs incurred during the move-out inspection. If the property was marketed by a real estate agency, they fees for drafting the lease, preparing the move-in inspection report, etc. Again, this amount is often equivalent to one month's rent.
Entry inventory
It is an integral part of the rental agreement in Senegal; it's the description of the property upon the tenant's arrival. It must be as precise as possible to avoid misunderstandings when the tenant moves out. It will therefore include the general condition of the apartment (paint, condition of the floors, ceilings, built-in appliances, etc.).
An inventory of all the goods made available must be carried out in the case of furnished rentals.
The purpose of the inventory is comparative, allowing the landlord to determine if any damage occurred during the tenant's stay. The cost of this damage can then be deducted from their security deposit.
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