List of Questions to Ask Prior to Signing a Leasing Contract

It is not a secret that rental contracts can be legally binding. That is why it is advisable that you read all sentences carefully before you sign it. When you are beginning your search for a new launch condo, jot down questions that you will need to ask. In case there are residence tours or meetings with landlord, don’t be afraid and ask if you can converse with other renters. This will be an awesome chance for you to inquire what they feel about the landlord, the neighborhood, the neighbors, or the rules of the community. If you want more details about the condominium, here is a list of questions you must to ask your landlord:

1. Ask concerning the utilities included in the rent

Some of the domestic utilities may be comprised, while some may not. Aside from the electricity bill, you might also want to ask whether there will be further charges for cable, telephone, gas, and trash removal bills. These utilities paid to the landlords could change, so it's vital to include them into your rental budget. It is also advisable that you ask regarding any additional fees, including garage parking, cleaning services, building maintenance, or extra storage.

2. Ask about the pet policy

All condominiums have their own exclusive set of rules when it comes to pets. Some communities have limits on the number or kind of pets you can bring along with you while some are totally not pet-friendly. This is due to the fact that there could be problems with pets that could arise due to reckless owners who allow their pets to cause disturbance or noise other tenants. Some pets could also damage inside the condo unit or ruin properties in the community. That is why it is a must that you ask concerning pet policies before you move into a new home. A pet-friendly condominium may mean that you will have to pay extra charges in your up-front apartment costs.

However, in case you are transferring with a service animal, then it will be a different situation since landlords are legally not permitted to deny you of moving with a service animal. You just need to current the necessary documentation as well as evidence that the service pet is a medicinal obligation for you. There must also be no service animal charge. But remember that you will still are liable if there are compensations in the condo by your pet.

3. Ask concerning the length of lease term

A short-term rental fee is usually twice a year or on a monthly basis, whilst long-term is usually 1 year or more. It is vital that you ask regarding the rental term’s length as this controls the number of months or years that you are locked into the contract. You must also ask if there will be consequences if you wont be able to complete the rental term due to unforeseen circumstances like moving to a different district or getting a job offer out of the country. Some landlords let pro-rated rental payments in case you plan to move in or out the new launch condo mid-month.

4. Ask about the payment rules

To avoid any late payment charges, know when and how payment must be sent each month. Many companies have at least 3 days before they consider a rental fee late.

5. Ask about the emergency maintenance

Ask your land owner if their services include a 24-hour maintenance services and an on-site property management. It is good to have an idea whether you can rely on the property’s management team or the landlord in case emergencies occur in the middle of the night.

Learn more regarding new launch condominiums in Singapore with the assistance of SOL’s reliable staff. Visit their website today!  

Improve Office Safety – 10 Tips to Follow

Employees can suffer from a number of safety and health issues in an office. An employee’s safety is the responsibility of the employer and the office administration and should be given utmost priority. Following are the beneficial tips that should be applied in every office to optimize office safety. 

1.   No Cluttering

 

In order to avoid falls in the office, the files, boxes, and other materials must never be kept piled up in walkways. Cluttering the walkways can lead to disabling falls and even broken bones. The office material which isn’t in use anymore should be taken out of the office to an external storage area to facilitate de-cluttering.

2.   Maintenance of Clear Vision

 

It’s commonly observed that employees collide with each other while turning in the hallways or around the cubicle walls and blind corners of the office. These collisions can lead to serious head and limb injuries. In order to avoid such collisions, convex mirrors should be installed at different intersections so that employees can easily see each other turning around the corner.

3.   Protection against Electrical Hazards

 

image:tripsafe.com.au

All electrical wiring should be properly covered to avoid current transmission in case of short-circuits or any other electrical problems. Also, the electric cords should never be stretched across walkways or placed under carpets and rugs as they pose serious threat to employee’s safety.

4.   No Slippery Floors

 

Tile and marble floors in offices can lead to trips and falls as they happen to be extremely slippery. Therefore, proper carpeting is highly recommended as it provides a firm grip while walking or even running.

5.   Proper Lighting

 

Employees who work in dimly-lit offices suffer from long-term vision problems. Dim lights put strain on the worker’s eyes especially if they’re working on computers excessively. Hence, offices should be brightly lit to protect the employees’ eyesight.

6.   Use of Stepladder

 

Employees often use tables or chairs with wheels for reaching files or any other office material that is kept at an elevated height. This practice can lead to life-threatening falls and injuries. Employees must always use an appropriate stepladder which is completely opened and placed on a leveled and firm ground.

7.   Precaution against Fire

 

Properly functioning fire-extinguishers must be present in the office at all times. Also, there should be special exits to use, in case of an unexpected fire. Workers should also be trained how to exit the building without creating chaos and confusion if a fire breaks out in the office.

8.   No Smoking

 

Every area of the office should be a no-smoking zone. This is highly important to protect the health of the non-smoking workers. Isolated areas like bathrooms and kitchens should also be thoroughly checked on a regular basis to ensure that employee are not smoking in these public areas.

9.   Proper Ventilation

 

There should be a proper ventilation system in every office to avoid breathing problems and suffocation. This is especially important in production houses where employees are working with heavy machinery.

10.         Appropriate Table and Chairs

 

The tables and chairs used for the work should be of appropriate height so that employees can easily place their feet on the floor and sit with proper posture. If an employee is short-heighted, their workstation must be adjusted accordingly. 

Tips offered by www.tripsafe.com.au

What Kind of Housing Market Does Belgrade Provide You With

The city of Belgrade has come a long way from the earlier years of chaos and political turmoil. It is now an ideal stop for real estate investors who are looking to cash in from a fast growing middle class. The housing market has grown over the years due to a rising population of city dwellers. There are many options for accommodation in Belgrade, all depending on personal preferences and affordability. 

Belgrade bridge, picture taken from www.flickr.com by mcveja

Luxury villas

Like most cosmopolitan areas, Serbia's capital city attracts a lot of affluent people in the society. There are property developers who have decided to focus on this niche market and construct luxury villas. Most of them are for sale because customers in this market segment usually have enough money to buy houses as opposed to leasing. The luxury villas are majorly available in leafy residential districts like Dedinje which are not that far off from the city center and are also close to exclusive international schools. Vintage luxury villas can also be found listed on the market, and the buying price for most of them run into millions of euros. In Serbia, the euro is commonly used in real estate purchases instead of the dinar which is the country's official currency. 

Belgrade apartments in construction, picture take from www.flickr.com by jaime.silva

High-end Apartments

Belgrade's housing market also caters for the upper middle class with penthouse apartments. They are very popular with foreign embassies and international businesses that prefer setting up shop in serene neighborhoods. The penthouses are valued per square meter. Many foreign commercial real estate investment companies have focused on this segment of the housing market since it's lucrative with generous returns. They are available for sale and also as rentals for those who are staying in the country temporarily. Such apartments have also become an alternative and convenient choice of accommodation for tourists who are visiting the Serbian capital for short time frames, say one or two weeks. 

Interesting looking apartment in Belgrade, picture taken from www.flickr.com by jaime.silva

Flats 

This is where a majority of tenants are found. Most of the working middle class population of Belgrade rent flats because it's the most affordable option for accommodation. Many of these apartment blocks are built in the residential districts and are conveniently close to the city center. It's usually a short commute for people who work in the city center and stay in these flats. Some investors construct them for sale while others offer only rental options which can be for the short or long term. They are also great for travelers who are on a small budget and are looking for cheap accommodation in Belgrade.

A big percentage of Belgrade's housing market is controlled by local demand, with maybe 15-20% of sales and rentals coming from foreigners. The law allows citizens of foreign countries to own property in Serbia, as long as the same is true in their home countries for Serbian citizens. By 2017, it's expected that restrictions will further have eased for citizens from European Union member states. As the country continues to develop, the housing market also grows at an incredible pace. The capital city of Serbia remains to be a top investment destination for real estate.