Tenants Information And Tips
Getting started, when searching for a rental property, think carefully about:
A rough estimate of how much rent you can afford to pay
The standard of living you require (and any special needs you may have), how many rooms, do you want a unit or townhouse, do you need parking?
Where you would like to live and what are your lifestyle needs, i.e. shops, schools or transport etc.
Get searching!
Make sure you gather info as you go along and attend as many open houses as you can, you never know what you might find
Widen your search to include surrounding suburb areas, they are closer than your think!
Have application forms ready to apply for your chosen home/s
Make sure you have enough money ready for bonds, advance rent and any additional admin charges
Application, screening and notification…..
Once you have made your application for a property it will go through to be processed where the team will confirm the information you have supplied. This is the waiting period, there are many applications for each and every property so there is a lot to check through and confirm, do not be disheartened if you don’t hear immediately! If your application is successful, you will hear from the rentals team, you will then be required to complete the relevant documentation and Residential Tenancy Agreement and pay your bond, and advance rent payment.
What am I signing up for?
A Residential Tenancy Agreement or ‘lease’ will be drawn up and is the legal contract that both you and your landlord must abide by. A lease will include information such as:
Location of the property
Total rent
Amount of the bond
Commencement and end date of your tenancy
With all necessary paperwork signed and all monies paid, you’ll be issued with the keys to your new home and provided with a Condition Report. This report records the condition of the property. Check this report carefully and immediately record any discrepancies on the report and return to the agent.
Photographs are a great way to record the condition of the property when you first move in. Keep these in case the landlord objects about returning your bond at the end of your tenancy.
Know what you are responsible for!
When renting, little problems can turn into big problems if you are not aware of who is responsible for taking care of the issues that may arise.
The landlord is obliged to:
Keep the premises in good repair
Ensure the security of the property by making sure all doors have locks and windows are secure
Immediately provide the tenant with a key after changing any locks
Avoid disturbing the tenant unnecessarily
As a tenant you are obliged to do the following:
Keep the property clean
Not cause damage to the premises
Inform the landlord ASAP if any damage is done
Ask for the landlords permission to install fixtures or make alterations, renovations etc
Avoid causing a nuisance to the landlord or neighbours
Do not participate in anything illegal on the property
Rental Payments
Rent under your Residential Tenancy Agreement is payable in advance. If at any time you are unable to make a rental payment, on or before the due date, please make immediate contact with the Rental team. This may avoid any further action from being taken.
Rental Bond
Your rental bond will be lodged with the NSW Department of Fair Trading. The bond is held as security against any damage or undue wear and tear. The bond will be refunded promptly after you vacate, provided the property is left in as close as possible to the same condition as when your tenancy commenced and there are no monies owing.
Periodic Inspections
During the course of your tenancy, the premises will be inspected periodically by Robinson Property. Our office will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Keys
A duplicate key to all properties is retained by Robinson Property for emergency access. Under special circumstances, and on producing identification, these keys may be borrowed during office hours, but must be returned within the hour. No service is available out of office hours or on public holidays.
It would be therefore advisable, that you also make private arrangements regarding the location of a spare key, should you inadvertently lock yourself out, otherwise a locksmith will be required.
Locks may only be changed, after first obtaining permission from Robinson Property, and then on the strict understanding that you supply us with a spare set of keys. Remember, it is in your interest to ensure that we have access.
Insurance
We strongly urge you to insure your personal possessions against any loss, damage or theft.
Electricity Gas & Telephone
It is each tenant’s responsibility to have the appropriate account placed in his or her name(s) and then to arrange to have a meter reading, prior to vacating the premises.
The following are contact numbers for the relevant authorities:
Energy Australia - 131535
AGL - 131245
Telstra - 132200
Repairs & Maintenance
All repairs are to be put in writing.
Only emergency repairs will be accepted verbally. All repairs are attended to as promptly as possible, however, it is often necessary to obtain the landlord’s approval and/or quotes before any work can commence, so unfortunately a time lag is sometimes unavoidable.
If firm arrangements regarding access for any tradespeople are not kept by you, the service charge for calling the tradesperson will be automatically passed on to you for payment.
Where applicable, the upkeep of the gardens and grounds are your responsibility. Please do not store unnecessary paper, rubbish, bottles, cans etc. on or around the premises.
Termination Of the Residential Tenancy Agreement
Your Residential Tenancy Agreement is a legal and binding contract, providing protection for both you and the Landlord. You can terminate the Residential Tenancy Agreement in the following ways:
If you intend to vacate at the end of your Residential Tenancy Agreement you are required to give fourteen (14) days written notice prior to the expiry of the fixed term of your Agreement.
Once the fixed term has expired, you are at liberty to continue living at the property or to vacate. If you intend to vacate, written notice to that effect must be received by our office at least twenty one (21) days prior to the vacating date.
If however, unforseen circumstance arise and you have to vacate prior to the expiration of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, please contact the rental team immediately and we will endeavour to find another suitable tenant. However, you will still be responsible for rent until another tenant is found, as well as the payment of a letting fee, an Agreement preparation fee and all advertising costs.
Further Information
For further information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant visit the Office of Fair Trading for “The Renting Guide”.