Article 12

What it means when you sign

This article says when the tenant pays the rent. The tenant pays the landlord on the dates the two have agreed. If there is no agreement, or the payment dates cannot be proven, the rent is paid in four equal instalments each year, and each instalment is paid in advance.

When you are about to sign, this article means the payment schedule is something the parties can set themselves in the contract, and it is worth stating clearly. A clause that fixes the number of cheques, the due dates or the amount of each payment replaces the default described here. If the contract is silent, or the dates cannot be shown, the default of four equal advance instalments per year applies.

This also shows why it helps to keep written proof of the agreed dates. A payment schedule that is only discussed verbally may be hard to prove, and the default would then be the reference point.