Renting a home is an essential part of daily life for many residents. Recently, complaints over rental disputes have largely involved security deposit refunds and electricity fee calculations. The Tainan City Government Land Administration Bureau reminds tenants to verify the lessor's authority and carefully review contract terms before signing, in order to safeguard their rights and interests.

The bureau outlines four key points for review. First, confirm whether the lessor has the legal right to lease the property. Tenants should verify whether the lessor is the property owner; if not, whether authorization from the owner has been obtained. If leasing through a rental housing service provider, the provider must be legally registered and duly authorized.

Second, the security deposit must not exceed the equivalent of two months' rent. Before signing, tenants should confirm the amount and refund conditions and retain payment receipts or transfer records. Third, lease agreements must comply with the mandatory and prohibited provisions of the standard residential lease contract announced by the Ministry of the Interior, clearly specifying the lease term, rent amount and payment method, repair responsibilities, and deposit refund conditions.

Fourth, electricity charges must follow regulations. If calculated based on actual electricity consumption, the rate per kilowatt-hour must not exceed the average rate for the current billing period. If not based on consumption, the charge must not exceed the total electricity bill for that period, and the lessor is obligated to provide relevant usage information to the tenant.