TIPS FOR PROBLEM–FREE RENTING
- Be prepared with copies of identification to reach 100 points along with your completed tenancy
application. - Ask all the questions you may have regarding the lease that need clarification before signing the lease.
- Keep a copy of your lease, condition report, rent receipts, Rental Bond Number and copies of letters/emails you send or receive in a designated ‘tenancy’ file folder and put it somewhere you can easily find it later.
- Never stop paying your rent, even if the landlord is not complying with their side of the agreement (e.g. by failing to do repairs) – you could end up being evicted if you do.
- Comply with the terms of your lease. In particular, never make any alterations, keep a pet or let other people move in without asking the landlord or agent for permission first.
- Consider taking out home contents insurance. It will cover your belongings in case of theft, fires and natural disasters. The landlord’s building insurance, if they have it, will not cover your things
- If the property has a pool or garden be clear about what the landlord or agent expects you to do to maintain it.
- If you are happy in the place and your lease ends, consider asking for the lease to be renewed for another fixed term. This will remove the worry about being unexpectedly asked to leave, and helps to lock in the rent for the next period of time.
- Photos are a great way to record the condition of the property when you first move in. Take pictures (that are date stamped) of the property, especially areas that are damaged or unclean. Keep these in case the landlord objects to returning your bond at the end of your tenancy.
- Keep a copy of your lease, condition report, rent receipts, Rental Bond Number and copies of letters/emails you send or receive in a designated ‘tenancy’ file folder and put it somewhere you can easily find it later.
- Never stop paying your rent, even if the landlord is not complying with their side of the agreement
(egg. by failing to do repairs) – you could end up being evicted if you do. - Comply with the terms of your lease. In particular, never make any alterations, keep a pet or let other people move in without asking the landlord or agent for permission first.
- Consider taking out home contents insurance. It will cover your belongings in case of theft, fires and natural disasters. The landlord’s building insurance, if they have it, will not cover your things.
- If the property has a pool or garden be clear about what the landlord or agent expects you to do
to maintain it. - Be careful with what you sign relating to your tenancy, and don’t let anybody rush you. Never sign a blank form, such as a Claim for refund of bond.
- If you are happy in the place and your lease ends, consider asking for the lease to be renewed for
another fixed term. This will remove the worry about being unexpectedly asked to leave, and helps to lock in the rent for the next period of time.
TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT PROPERTY
- Prepare a list of requirements for your new rental property, allowing for some flexibility. For example, will a carport be adequate instead of a garage if there is other storage.
- Take a drive around the area that you are looking at, including adjoining areas. You may find
a nearby suburb is equally appealing and may offer better value for money. - Check our website daily for updates on our latest properties, or subscribe to our Rental Property Alert to have them sent directly to your inbox.
- Take advantage of our open for inspection times or make an appointment to view properties that interest you.
- When you find a suitable property, be ready to apply. You will need to provide identification and references… see the Tenancy Application page on our website for further details.
- Give as much detail as possible on your application form to avoid delays, and improve your chance of success.
- Pre-apply with our office so that when the right property comes along, you’re ready to go!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Why do I need to provide so much information with my application?
- Apart from helping to establish that you will make a good tenant, the properties managed by our office are protected by Landlord Insurance Policies. These policies require documented evidence to confirm the following:-
- How long will it take to process my application?
- We will commence checking your application as soon as we receive it; however the total time taken depends on how readily we can contact your references and how many other people have applied for the same property. Average time is 1-3 days.
- What can I do to improve my application?
- Be organised. Make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation to accompany your application, and provide plenty of contact numbers for your references.
- What can I do to improve my chances of success?
- We look for tenants with good rental history. Most importantly, we need to establish that
your rent has been paid on time and the property has been well maintained and cared for. - What if my application isn’t approved?
- Normally there are several applicants for each property, and unfortunately not everyone can
be approved. We will advise you if this is the case as soon as we receive confirmation from the
owner of the property. If you are interested in another one of our rental properties you may
request to transfer your application to that property.
PRE-APPLY AS A TENANT
“The Best way to take the stress out of renting!”
With Local Property Agent, you can submit your application for pre-processing even before you find
your ideal property!
With new properties coming in daily this is the best way to increase your chances of success.
“The Best way to take the stress out of renting!”
With Local Property Agent, you can submit your application for pre-processing even before you find
your ideal property!
Once you have found a suitable property you simply advise us of the address and we submit your
details to the landlord for their decision.
ONCE YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED…
On approval of your tenancy application, you will be asked to pay a holding deposit equivalent to
one week rent. This deposit not only secures the property for you, but also becomes the first
weeks rent when the tenancy commences.
Your property manager will then make an appointment with you to sign the Residential Tenancy
Agreement and Rental Bond form. A signed copy of the agreement will be handed to you, along
with a copy of the New Tenant Checklist.
Prior to collecting the keys to the property, you will be provided with a detailed Property
Condition Report, which forms part of the Residential Tenancy Agreement. This is an important
part of the agreement that will be used to determine any damage or costs that you may be
responsible for at the end of the tenancy. It is important that you complete the “tenant agrees”
section of the condition report, sign it and return one copy to the agent within 7 days of the
commencement date of the tenancy.
The balance of money must also be paid to the managing agent, prior to the collection of the
keys. This includes the full bond and advance rent.
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
the Residential Tenancy Agreement commenced (allowing for fair wear and tear) and there are
no monies owing.
The bond will vary depending on the price of the rental property, and in NSW the maximum
rental bond that can be asked for is 4 weeks rent.
LENGTH OF TENANCY AGREEMENT
The length of a tenancy agreement varies within NSW, however the standard term is usually 6
months for the initial agreement. Other lease periods may be negotiable.
Once the tenancy agreement has expired, the tenant may be offered a new fixed term lease, or
alternatively the tenant can stay in the premises at the same rent (or at an increased rent if the
rent is increased in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1987), but otherwise under
the same terms unless or until the agreement is ended.
CONNECTION OF ELECTRICITY, PHONE, GAS ETC
You can contact each of the utility providers separately or utilise the services of a free utilities
connection company such as ConnectNow to have all of your services connected at once. You
can arrange to use ConnectNow by signing the appropriate section of your application.
Water will remain connected at the property and you will receive your first water usage bill
during the first three months of your tenancy.
PAYING RENT
When you sign your Residential Tenancy Agreement you undertake to pay your rent on or before
the due date. If at any time you are unable to meet your rental payment commitment please
make immediate contact with your Property Manager.
Acceptable methods of payment will be shown on the application form and on the front page of
your lease.
RENTAL INCREASES
The rental can be increased on the property only when the current tenancy agreement has
expired, or is due to expire. A minimum of 60 days written notice must be given before the
landlord can increase the rent.
PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
During the period of your tenancy the premises will be periodically inspected by the landlord or
the landlord’s agent. You will be given appropriate notice, (no less than 7 days) that the
inspection will take place.
The purpose of these inspections is to check on any repairs or maintenance concerns the tenant
has. It is also the job of the agent to ensure the property is being maintained in a satisfactory
condition by the tenant. Our first inspection is usually carried out in the first 8-12 weeks of
occupation; and thereafter usually on a 6 monthly basis.
REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
You may request a repair via our online Repair Request Form, or by submitting your request in
writing or via fax. Repairs are attended to as promptly as possible, however, it is often necessary
to obtain the landlords approval and/or quotes before any work can commence, so
unfortunately a time lag is sometimes unavoidable.
TERMINATION OF THE TENANCY AGREEMENT
Your residential tenancy agreement is a legal and binding contract, providing protection for both
you and the landlord.
If you intend to vacate at the end of your Residential Tenancy Agreement you are required to
give 14 days’ written notice prior to the expiration of the fixed term of the 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 of 21 days must be given prior to the vacating
date.
NOTE: Verbal notice will not be accepted
It is essential that you return keys on the due day as rent will be charged up to and including
the day the keys are returned.