You accept the home

When there is a home for you, you will receive a letter about it. That letter will tell you when you can view the house. This is called a viewing.

Usually you sign the contract to rent the home on the day you view the house. Sometimes you go to look at the house first and sign the rental agreement at a later time.

To accept the home, you must sign the rental agreement. This contract contains the agreements between you and the landlord.

Below you can read what kind of information is usually included in a rental agreement:

• Your name

• The name of the landlord

• The amount of rent. Usually this is just the price you pay for the home. This usually does not yet include the amount you pay for electricity, gas and water.

• The address

• A description of the rental property. For example, the number of rooms and whether you have a garden and a shed.

• The start date of the rental agreement

• The date and method of payment

• The date by which rent might be increased

• The rules for residents

• Home maintenance arrangements

• Your signature and the landlord's signature

In almost all cases, you are required to accept the home and thus sign the rental agreement. If you do not do this, the

This means that COA says you have refused housing. You may then have to leave COA's reception centre without a home.