aluguel

Aluguel is the payment made by a tenant to a landlord for the use of a property or equipment for a defined period, under a lease contract. It is most commonly associated with housing, but also covers commercial properties and rural assets. A typical aluguel agreement specifies the duration (prazo), the monthly rent (valor do aluguel), the payment schedule, and any charges beyond the rent, such as condominium fees, utilities, or insurance. Contracts may include provisions for rent readjustment at regular intervals, using indexation rules defined by law or by the agreement, with common indices varying by country (for example IPCA or IGPM in some jurisdictions).

Security and guarantees are often required to protect the landlord against nonpayment. Common forms include a guarantor (fiador), a cash deposit (caução), or tenancy insurance (seguro fiança). Some regimes also permit bank guarantees or other sureties. The agreement also covers rights and duties of both parties: tenants must use the property responsibly, keep it in reasonable condition, pay rent and utilities on time, and observe contract terms; landlords must maintain the property and perform essential repairs.

Grounds for termination and eviction depend on applicable law and contract: they include nonpayment, breach of obligations, expiration of the prazo, or mutual termination with notice. Jurisdictions differ in specifics, but most systems provide notice periods and regulated procedures to protect tenants. In many Portuguese-speaking countries, aluguel contracts are governed by national or civil codes and tenancy laws that aim to balance tenant protections with landlord rights.