APPLYING FOR A RENTAL PROPERTY
To start, you need to fill out an application form. A tenancy application form can be downloaded from our website. You can fill it in and submit at the property inspection or fax or email to our property manager. Another option is you can make online application directly from websites you find our property.
We’ll then check your references and verify the information you have provided – and depending on how quickly people get back to us, this may take a few days. If there are multiple people applying for the same property the landlord will usually make the final decision on whom they would prefer as a tenant for their property.
BEGINNING A LEASE
Possession of your rental property
We will issue access keys and cards on your lease start date (as per your signed tenancy agreement), only if first month’s rent and bond have been received by our office.
It is important to note that for legal and security reasons we are unable to issue keys early, or grant you access to the property any earlier than the allocated tenancy start date.
Rent payment
Unless other arrangements are made, rent under your lease agreement will be payable in advance on the due date each month. If you cannot make payment on time, please contact our office.
Rental Bond
Your rental bond will be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. The bond is held as security against any damage or undue wear and tear. The bond will be refunded after you vacate, provided the property is left in the same condition as when your lease agreement commenced (allowing for normal wear and tear) and there are no other outstanding invoices and rent.
Booking before moving in
You need to make a booking with building manager or Owners Corporation for using lift on moving in date if you live in apartment. Please ask our property manager for contact detail of building manager.
Utility Service Connection
It is your responsibility to connect the gas, electricity, phone, broadband, hot water and water in your name for the duration of the lease. You are also responsible for advising the utility service providers when you vacate. Failure to do so may result in you bearing additional costs. Please allow a couple of days notice for final readings to be done before your vacate date. Should you not choose to use the services of Connectnow. (this is a free service that connects all your utilities), you may call the utility companies directly.
Tenants Contents Insurance
It is important that you arrange your own tenant contents insurance in case your goods might be damaged or destroyed by circumstances affecting the property (i.e. fire, storm damage, power outages etc) as your goods and possessions are not insured by the Landlord and the owner/agent will not be liable for damaged or destroyed tenant possessions.
Condition Report
You will be given a written Condition Report with supporting photos, which is completed by property manager prior to the start date of your lease. Please check this condition report thoroughly and add comments on it if necessary.
Tenants must sign the condition report where indicated on the report. The signed report must be returned to this office within 3 business days from the start of your tenancy.
The condition report is not a request for any maintenance work to be carried out.
It is merely a report on the condition of the premises when you move in to protect your bond.
The refund of bond may depend on the accuracy of the condition report. Make sure you retain your copy of the report. Should you fail to return the completed condition report, the original condition report shall be deemed to be a true report as to the condition of the premises upon taking possession of the property and will be used at the time of the outgoing inspection.
DURING A LEASE
Change of contact details
Please advise us in writing as soon as you change your phone number or email address or postal address.
Maintenance and Repairs
General Repairs
All requests for repairs need to be lodged in writing. Maintenance requests can be submitted via our website, by email, fax or post.
Urgent Repairs
Urgent repairs are generally those that could cause injury to the tenant or damage to the property, and may include:
- burst water service
- a blocked or broken toilet system
- a serious roof leak
- a gas leak
- a dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm or fire damage
- a failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance provided by your landlord or agent for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or laundering
- failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity, or water supply
- any fault or damage in the premises that makes the premises unsafe or insecure
- an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working properly and causes a substantial amount of water to be wasted
- a serious fault in a lift or staircase
After hours urgent repairs
Should an emergency repair be required after hours then you need to contact your property manager or check the documentation provided to you at the start of your lease to get the contact number for after-hours urgent repairs.
Please Note: It is always important to know the difference between an urgent or general repair. Getting this wrong may be costly to the tenant if the repair is conducted after hours. More information on what constitutes urgent repairs can be found in the Consumer Affairs Tenancy Handbook.
Routine Inspections
We will conduct a routine inspection of the property after the first 3 months and every 6 months thereafter. The main purpose is to reassure the owner that you are maintaining the property and also to check for any repairs that may need doing – in which case we will make a recommendation to the owner that they be done.
During the inspection we will take photo of the property and any repairs required.
Lost keys or lock out
Spare keys may be available in our office, please check with your property manager first before collecting our office spare key during office hours. If you have lost or misplaced your keys after hours, you may call a locksmith to assist you back into the property – this is at your cost.
Property Damage
If damage to the property has occurred – caused by yourself, your visitors or by natural causes you must let us know immediately, or on the next business day (if incident occurred on a weekend or public holiday).
Pets
Unless a pet is specifically noted on your tenancy agreement, you must get permission before you get one.
Light Globes & Smoke Detectors
Tenants are responsible for changing light globes and smoke detector batteries during the tenancy and renewing them before the termination of your tenancy.
Carpets
Carpets must be professionally steam/dry cleaned before vacating at the tenant’s expense. A receipt must be presented at the time of vacating. Please contact the office for recommendations.
ENDING A LEASE
Giving Notice to Vacate
If you intend to vacate, a minimum of 28 days written notice must be given to your property manager.
The notice is taken from the date the office receives the letter or email. Following receipt of your Notice to Vacate, we will require access to show potential tenants through the property prior to you vacating. Please note that rent is always payable up until the date the keys are returned to this office.
Breaking lease
Should you need to vacate prior to the expiration of your lease you will incur additional charges-lease break fees. These are as follows:
- The rent until new tenant commences the lease
- Pro rata Letting fee
- Residential Tenancy Agreement preparation and tenant check fees
- All advertising and marketing costs
- The difference in rent, should the rent of the new tenant be lower than your rent, until the end of your lease
Change of Tenant
If a new tenant wishes to occupy the property or a current tenant wishes to move out, new tenant must make application and get approval from landlord before moving in.
Contact the property manager for tenant transfer process and charges.
Final Inspection
Rent will be charged until the day the keys are returned. Please allow 2 business days for a final inspection to be carried out.
Bond Refunds
By leaving the property very clean, well maintained and in line with the original Condition Report and returning all keys and receipt for steam cleaning to our office will enable a prompt refund of your bond.