A good rent agreement answers three money questions in plain words: who pays the monthly society maintenance, how utility bills are paid and settled, and which costs the owner may deduct from the security deposit. If the agreement stays silent on these, the fight usually comes on the day the tenant leaves. This is general information; ask a lawyer to check your own agreement.
Why do maintenance and bills cause most rent disputes?
Rent itself is simple: an amount on a date. The trouble starts with the small recurring things. The society sends a maintenance bill and the owner says "tenant pays", the tenant says "owner pays". A gas or electricity bill arrives after the tenant has gone. The deposit is held back with no explanation. Each of these can be solved with one clear clause.
What should the maintenance clause say?
Write the answer to these questions:
- Who pays the regular monthly maintenance charged by the society or building (guards, cleaning, lift, common electricity, water)?
- What is included in that regular amount, and what is not?
- Who pays big or one-time charges, for example a special fund for lift replacement, repainting or a new generator?
- What if the amount changes during the tenancy because the committee raises it?
- Who pays arrears (old unpaid maintenance) that existed before the tenant moved in?
A common arrangement, not a rule, is that the tenant pays regular monthly maintenance and the owner pays large capital or one-time charges. For a deeper look, read tenant vs owner maintenance rules in Pakistan. Also read your society by-laws, because the society may bill the owner directly whatever the two of you agree.
Sample wording idea (example only): "The tenant shall pay the regular monthly society maintenance on time and give the paid receipt to the owner. Any special or one-time charge shall be paid by the owner. Arrears before the start date are the owner's responsibility."
How should utility bills be handled?
Electricity, gas, water and internet are the usual bills. Cover these points:
- Who pays each one during the tenancy.
- Meter readings on the first day. Take dated photos of the electricity, gas and water meters when the tenant moves in, and write the readings in the agreement.
- Name on the account. If the meter is in the owner's name, say so, and say how the tenant will pay.
- Final bills. The tenant clears all bills up to the last day and hands over paid copies when leaving.
- Late bills. A bill that arrives after the tenant leaves for the period of the tenancy can be paid from the deposit, with the bill shown as proof.
What can be deducted from the security deposit?
This is where the agreement must be most specific. Typical items the parties agree to:
| Possible deduction | What proof to keep | |---|---| | Unpaid rent | Rent record, payment messages or receipts | | Unpaid maintenance or utility bills | The bills and the society statement | | Damage beyond normal wear and tear | Photos from move-in and move-out, repair estimate or bill | | Missing fixtures or keys | Move-in checklist |
Things that are normally not deductions: ordinary wear from living in a flat, such as small marks on walls or faded paint after a long stay. Say in the agreement what counts as normal wear, and how many days after move-out the deposit is returned. The days are for you two to agree, and a lawyer can advise what is reasonable.
Should we make a move-in and move-out checklist?
Yes, and it takes ten minutes. List every room, fixture and appliance, note their condition, take dated photos, and both sign. At move-out walk through the same list. Most deposit arguments end quickly when both sides can see the same photos and the same list.
What about the society's rules for tenants?
Many societies and buildings have their own rules: tenant registration, a no-dues certificate, vehicle stickers or guard records. Ask the committee for the list before signing, and mention in the agreement that the tenant will follow society rules. If your building uses gate passes or tenant records, the tenant should share family and vehicle details the way the building asks.
A quick checklist before you sign
- Rent amount, due date and payment method are written.
- Regular maintenance: who pays and how the receipt is shared.
- Special or one-time charges: who pays.
- Utility bills: who pays, meter readings, final clearance.
- Deposit amount, allowed deductions and return time.
- Move-in checklist and photos attached.
- Notice period for both sides.
- Agreement printed on the right stamp paper and signed by both with witnesses, as your lawyer advises.
What if the society bills the owner but the tenant should pay?
Keep the receipts. The owner pays the society, sends the tenant a copy of the bill, and the tenant repays by bank transfer or cash against a receipt. Put a payment date in the agreement. A clean paper trail saves both sides from "I never got the bill" arguments, the same habit that keeps a committee honest, as we explain in proof ke saath hisaab.
Nearlify lets residents upload rent and utility bill proofs, pay monthly bills with payment proof and get receipts, so both owner and tenant keep a record. You can try it free at https://nearlify.app/signup.