FAQs About Philippine Home Rentals

A lot of reasons affect many Filipinos’ decision to live in a house for rent as opposed to buying their own home, such as the need to frequently relocate and the lack of money required to buy a house. Even though many people like to live in rentals, being unfamiliar with the laws about renting can lead to conflict between a landlord and a tenant. Here are some questions and answers about renting in the Philippines, in case you are thinking about renting or if you are already in one.
What are the normal conditions surrounding an agreement between a new tenant and a landlord?
Because the Rental Reform Act of 2002 has now expired, the deposit and the actual rent can be negotiated freely between the landlord and the renter. In most cases, new occupants are required to give a month’s advance rental payment and a deposit worth two months’ rent. When a renter suddenly leaves the house, he also leaves many bills unpaid and also a lot of things broken; the deposit will be used to cover these so that the landlord won’t be stuck with them.
What does the law see as legal grounds for eviction?
When the formal or luxury market is concerned, landlords and tenants can freely reach a deal about the contract. If the tenant violates anything that is in the contract, then this can lead to his eviction. For rental set-ups that are more informal, contracts are normally verbal, but these can be used as bases for when a landlord can evict a rented:
a. Missing rent for a total of three monthsb. Renting out the property without written permission from the landlordc. The need for the landlord to use the house (If this is the case, the renter should have been given a notice about this 90 days before the landlord wants them out of the property)d. The need for the tenant to evacuate the house for a repair that is too big (Upon fixing up the property, the original renters should be prioritized once the landlord sees it fit to rent out again)e. Condemnation of the property by the people in authority (before making the tenants leave, they should have received 15 days’ notice)
Are tenants bound to live in a rental property for a certain number of years?Definitely not. If a tenant wishes to end his agreement with the landlord sooner than expected, he should be free to do so.
How is a problem between tenants and landlords managed?
When problems between a landlord and a tenant escalate, the barangay tribunal acts as the go-between of the two parties involved. If the issue has not been resolved by the tribunal, it can be taken to court, where things can cost a lot and take a long time.