FAQ
What is my Lease for and is it an important document?
Your lease is a legally binding contract between the landlord and the tenant and should be read very carefully. The lease terms basically outlines the obligations of both the landlord and tenant. If you are unclear about any of the obligations set out in the lease agreement we advise that you satisfy yourself before signing the Lease.
What is Normal Wear and Tear?
Normal Wear and Tear is where deterioration, depreciation or the loss of an item occurs overtime, which is due to the normal and reasonable usage of the property or the item. It is advisable that tenants take photos at the beginning of the Lease and should ask for them to be logged to the file in our office.
What do I do if I need to leave my property?
In general, most of our tenants have signed up to a 12-month lease so therefore you are obliged to stay until the 12-month lease expires. If you have unforeseen circumstances and you feel you must leave the property, please call one our staff in the Lettings Departments as this can have implications on your tenancy rights and deposit return.
If I want to renew my Lease, what do I do?
Our lettings department will be in contact with you approximately six weeks prior to the expiration of the Lease to determine if you intend on renewing your Lease.
My Lease is going to expire and I don’t intend on staying on?
Our lettings department will be in contact approximately 6 weeks prior to the expiration of the Lease to determine if you intend on staying on or moving out. At this stage please let our lettings department know your intentions so that we can start the marketing procedure on the property. You will also need to give us notice in writing 4 weeks prior to the end of the lease.
I’m about to move out of my property but the agent is arranging viewings on the property, is this allowed?
On your lease agreement it states that you will need to provide the agent with the relevant access to conduct viewings on the property during the last four weeks of your lease, as it is then available for re-letting, however viewings will always be carried out by prior arrangement. The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 also covers this area.
Who holds my security the deposit?
At the initial letting stage, one of our staff will inform you if the Lease Agreement is between you, the tenant and the Landlord or directly between you and Howlin Duggan Properties. If your Landlord’s name is on your lease agreement, the Landlord holds your deposit in trust. However, if the lease agreement states that the contract is between you the tenant and Howlin Duggan Properties, then Howlin Duggan Properties holds the deposit in trust as the property will be managed on behalf of the landlord.
I am unable to meet the rental payment this month, what will I do?
Contact our accounts department who will try to help you on this issue. Don’t ignore the issue as it won’t go away and you will end up getting a termination notice. You need to speak with our accounts department who will design a payment plan for you until you get your financials back on track.
I want to make some alterations to the property, am I allowed to do this?
No, you are not allowed to make any alterations to the property without the prior written approval from the landlord. Failure to receive approval from your landlord will result in a deduction from your security deposit.
I’m leaving the property in one month’s time, can I use my security deposit to pay the last months rent?
Absolutely not! Your security deposit is held for any damage that is made to the property during the duration of the Lease Agreement. If there has been no damage made to the property then your security deposit will be returned to you in full.
What are the obligations of the Landlord and Tenant?
For a full list of obligations of the Landlord, please refer to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,1996,en.pdf
What do I do if I have an issue in my property?
Contact your landlord directly if your Lease Agreement states that the contract is between you and the Landlord. If the Lease Agreement states that the contract is between you and Howlin Duggan Properties, please log the issue through our maintenance page. Alternatively contact 056-7764615 or email info@howlinduggan.com
I smell gas in my home what will I do?
Don’t smoke, don’t use a naked flame, don’t switch anything electrical on or off such as switches, appliances, open all the windows and doors to let the gas disperse and check your appliances to see if the gas has been left on. If the smell continues turn off the gas at the meter and call Bord Gais Networks on 1850-20-50-50 or 112/999.
Please notify our office on 056-7764615 and we will get in contact with our Registered Gas Installer.
My smoke alarm keeps beeping and the light is red, what will I do?
This means that the battery in the smoke alarm is used up and needs changing immediately. If you can do so, please change the battery and the light will turn green. Alternatively call Howlin Duggan Properties on 056-7764615 and we will organise for the battery to be changed. Please be vigilant as the onus during the term of the lease lies with the tenant. On the signing of the lease, Howlin Duggan Properties will ensure smoke alarms are in working order.
The water in my shower keeps going hot and cold?
Firstly, take off the showerhead and clean the showerhead with domestos using a pin to unblock the holes of the showerhead as these can often become blocked up with Limescale. If this doesn’t make a difference, contact the Maintenance Department on 056-7764615.
I have noticed Mildew/Mould in my house, why is this happening?
When walls become wet from condensation, dampness will appear and as a result, mould will grow. Condensation occurs when water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface. Bear in mind, condensation is not always a result of the way the building was constructed but it is as a result of the way the building is being used. To remove mould from the walls you can purchase a mildew/mould remover in any hardware shop or in one of the larger convenience stores. This will kill the fungus.
How do I prevent Mildew/Mould from appearing in my house?
When you are cooking, washing, using the shower or using a dryer make sure that the windows are open to let the water vapour escape and close the internal doors. Do not dry clothes on radiators. Ventilation is vital to allow steam to escape and to prevent condensation, so never block up built in air vents or turn off extractor fans in bathrooms. If you are at home and the weather is dry and windy, keep the windows open to allow for good ventilation. Even though ventilation is vital, so too is heating the property so make sure your property is heated at all times as the warmer the air the more water vapour it will hold and therefore as the warmer air leaves your property through the windows, so too will the water vapour. This may seem very inefficient but it will help your condensation problem in the long run.
