SA Property Law - Get Key the Day Before I Move?

[vikas]

Hi,

I am moving to a new renting house on 27th May. I have already paid the bond and 2 weeks' rent 12 days ago. The agent is telling me that she will handover the keys of the house and will sign the lease agreement form on the same day at 9 am.

Can I legally demand the keys 1 day before, maybe at the time of closing of office hours under property law? I think my rent starts from 12 midnight.

Kindly help.

 

[Rod]

No. You lose 9hrs. The other tenant may still be in the property till midnight so agent has no right to give you keys the day before. Agent doesn't have to work AH to hand keys over (ie 12:01 am).

Keep things friendly and see what you can negotiate. Trying to push the agent over an issue like this reduces goodwill that you may want later. Pick a better battle, not this one.

 

[vikas]

Thanks