Safe to pay rent in advance?

We've found a nice apartment to rent, but the corporate landlords have a strict rule that they do not rent to the self-employed (like me): they have seen too many such tenants just leave HK owing rent.



I jokingly said to the agent: "I'm happy to pay them the whole year's rent in advance, if they give me a 15% discount". He laughed, and we said goodbye.



A few hours later, the agent called to say he had spoken to the landlords and - if I was serious - they would accept that deal.



Now, I wonder if I should do it or not. The apartment is brand new and from a top developer, so I don't worry too much about maintenance. And I've run a check on the corporate landlords, and they're large and reputable.



But is there anything else I should worry about if I pay the whole year in advance?

Thank you, oldhand. Can we write into the contract that the landlord must pay for maintenance directly? - I don't mind suing them if push comes to shove.... and the company is sharp enough to realise that anyone who pays a year's rent upfront on luxury residential can easily afford a top lawyer to protect his interests.



PS. You will ask why, in that case, I'm not already talking to my lawyer; and the answer is that he's a lifelong friend who's on honeymoon until Thursday!

As a condition precedent, make sure you obtain, in writing, the mortgagee's consent to the lease, and you should insert a clause in the contract to that effect. This provides some protection just in case the landlord goes bankrupt (or goes into liquidation in the case of a corporate landlord).