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Q:
What is a Tenancy Agreement ?
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A Tenancy Agreement allows a tenant to take 'possession' of a property for a limited period of time on certain conditions including the payment of rent on time.
The Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding contract in which both parties agree to abide by the conditions set out in the agreement. Make sure that you read the Agreement in full and are familiar with all of the conditions included in it.
When you sign the Tenancy Agreement you will receive a copy so that you have a record of each party's rights and responsibilities. You will also receive a Condition Report setting out the condition of the property at the beginning of the tenancy and consumer guide, which you should check for accuracy and return a signed copy to the agent within 7 days.
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Q:
How do I apply for a property ?
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All tenancy applications must be completed in full and signed after inspection. They also must be accompanied by:
COMPULSORY DOCUMENTS
Current Australian Driver’s Licence or Proof of Age Card
Passport
2 current pay slips
If self employed – tax returns and business registration.
Current Tenancy Rental Ledger
Front Page of Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement
TRA disclosure to be submitted with application
OTHER DOCUMENTATION WHICH WILL HELP PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION
Birth Certificate
Medicare Card
Bank Statement
Pension Card or Student Card
Telephone Account
Centrelink Income Statement
Council or Water Rates
Credit Card
Once these documents are received, you will then be considered for the property. A covering letter explaining your situation and offering some information about yourself is also helpful.
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Q:
What is a Holding Fee?
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A holding fee is an amount of money (no more than one week's rent) that is paid after the Landlord/Agent has approved your application. If you choose not to proceed, this amount will be forfeited to the Landlord.
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Q:
What is a Rental Bond ?
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A rental bond is paid by a tenant as a form of security for the landlord against breaches of the Tenancy Agreement. The bond is equivalent to four weeks rental made payable to Rental Bond Board.
You will be required to sign a bond lodgement form to be lodged with the Rental Bond Board.
Upon vacating the property, providing all is in order, the agent will sign a bond claim form so that you can have the bond paid back to you. If all or part of the bond is to be paid to the landlord (eg for arrears in rent, cleaning or repairs), and you agree to the amount deducted, you should sign the form claiming repayment accordingly.
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Q:
Do I have to pay for water?
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Yes, only water usage and only if the premises is separately metered. Your water usage will be billed to you quarterly from our office, payment of this can be made the same way your rental is paid and must be paid within 21 days after you have received your tax invoice. Do not pay Sydney Water direct as owner has paid Sydney Water.
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Q:
How do I pay my rent?
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Rent is paid by DEFT or Direct Debit. You will be required to register before paying the rental. If you require assistance in setting up these options, please contact your property manager.
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Q:
How do I report a repair?
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All requests for repairs and maintenance are best reported via our website otherwise by phone. To log your Repair Request click here
In the event of Urgent Repairs defined as
a) a burst water service,
b) an appliance, fitting or fixture that uses water or is used to supply water that is broken or not functioning properly, So that a substantial amount of Water is wasted,
c) a blocked or broken lavatory system,
d) a serious roof leak,
e) a gas leak,
f) a dangerous electrical fault,
g) flooding or serious flood damage,
h) serious storm or fire damage,
i) a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises,
j) a failure or breakdown of any essential service on the residential premises for hot water, cooking, heating, cooling or laundering,
k) any fault or damage that causes the premises to be unsafe or insecure
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Q:
What happens with Electricity, Gas & Telephone?
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Once you have been approved for a property, it is your responsibility to organise for the connection of Electricity, Gas and Telephone with the supplier of your choice in your name. Additionally upon vacating the premises it is your responsibility to have these services terminated and accounts finalised. This is extremely important to ensure you are not inadvertently being billed for a period that you are not in occupation of the premises.
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Q:
Do I have to maintain the gardens?
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Yes. Unless specifically excluded in your lease it is a tenant responsibility to maintain gardens and grounds such as watering, mowing, weeding and edging. Should you have difficulty maintaining your garden please speak to your Property Manager who can organise gardening at minimal expense.
If you are residing in a unit, the Body Corporate arrange for the maintenance of the garden, therefore you are not required to maintain the gardens.
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Q:
Can I change locks and keys?
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The changing of locks or other security devices should not be altered without the written consent of the landlord or Body Corporate. Keys held by the agent are for their use in case access to the property is required in an emergency.
Change locks or adding hardware on doors may comprise fire rating resulting in a huge replacement cost.
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Q:
Do I need insurance?
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Yes! It is the responsibility of the tenant to insure their belongings (contents) whilst at the premises. This is extremely important to ensure you are protected against any loss arising from a break-in or inadvertent property damage (eg. storm or water damage) etc. It is the responsibility of the Landlord to insure the building and the fixed contents that remain at the premises. However, the Landlord’s insurance cover on the property does not extend to cover your belongings.
In the event that you, another occupier or visitor accidentally damages the property and rectification work is required, you may be required to pay any excess that may apply to the owner’s insurance cover.
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Q:
How do I terminate my tenancy?
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Your Residential Tenancy Agreement is a legal and binding contract, providing protection for both you and your Landlord. If you need to terminate your Tenancy Agreement it can be done in the following ways;
If you have a ‘Periodical’ (Expired) Residential Tenancy Agreement you are required to give twenty one (21) days written notice prior to the expiration of the Residential Tenancy Agreement of your intention to vacate.
If you have a ‘Fixed Term’ (Not yet Expired) Residential Tenancy Agreement you are require to give fourteen (14) days written notice prior to the expiration of the Residential Tenancy Agreement of your intention to vacate.
If you need to ‘Break’ your lease and vacate prior to the end of the term, please email your Property Manager immediately. In these circumstances you will be responsible for payment of rent until the commencement of the next tenancy agreement. Additionally there will be associated with lease break costs. Your co-operation with regards to showing prospective tenants will be paramount in this situation.
A vacate notice form can be submitted by way of our website or by simply clicking here and completing the online form.
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Q:
What do I do when I vacate the property?
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The following information has been prepared to assist you when vacating the property you have been renting through this office.
Please note that we cannot inspect the property until you have removed all belongings and have returned the keys. Any keys given to friends or relatives should also be handed back.
We ask that before the Final Inspection you:
• Ensure that our office has your new forwarding address and phone number.
• You pay your rent until the vacating date in cash or by automatic payment.
• Return all keys to this office including letterbox keys.
• Arrange disconnection of your telephone, electricity and gas supply.
• Re-direct all mail to your new address.
• Attendance to the following matters prior to our inspection will save considerable time and prevent unnecessary delays in returning your bond:-
• The property is left in a very clean and tidy condition throughout and that carpets are cleaned by a competent tradesperson.
• All cupboards, shelves, drawers and benches to be cleaned.
• Walls and doors to be cleaned of all marks.
• Stove, griller, oven and exhaust fans to be spotless.
• Windows and sills to be cleaned inside and outside where possible.
• Any furniture, curtains or other items included with the property to be returned to original positions.
• Clean Venetian blinds and wash curtains.
• All garbage, bottles and rubbish to be removed from the premises.
• The garage and/or storeroom to be cleaned out, free of cobwebs and grease marks removed from car space/garage.
• Bathrooms to be thoroughly cleaned with all mould and soap scum removed from tiles and grouting. Ceiling mould must also be removed. Toilets to be cleaned inside and out and the bathroom floors to be mopped.
• Lawns and edges trimmed and gardens weeded (this applies to townhouses and houses).
• Please provide invoices for any professional cleaning conducted.
