Whether you are renting for the first time or you have been renting for a long time, sometimes, you just need some information or clarification. Here are some quick tips and resources that may be useful to assist before you need to speak to your property manager.
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388 offices across the Harcourts network, Australia wide
Over 100 staff members working within the Rata & Co Group
Our average vacancy rate us 2.41%
We conduct more that 15,000 inspections per year
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We manage more than 2800 rental properties
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Plenty Gorge Parklands, South Morang
About South Morang
Applying for a property
When you find the right property, you will need to complete a Tenancy Application Form. You may need to provide copies of identification copies to the value of 100 points with your application. For example, a Driver Licence, ATM card, credit card and a bill addressed to you at your current address.
Bond
The rental bond is requested as financial protection should there be a breach in the tenancy agreement. Your rental bond will be lodged with the Residential Tenancy Bond Authority. The bond is held as security against any property damage, undue wear and tear or in the event there is money owing at the end of tenancy. Once it is established that all conditions of the tenancy have been met, the bond will be refunded promptly. The amount of bond payable is specified in the tenancy agreement. Please note, the bond required may increase where there is a rent increase.
Occupancy
Only the people (and the number of people) included on your tenancy agreement are permitted to reside at the property on a permanent basis. Should a tenant wish to move in or out you are required to notify us in writing immediately. Please note, a new tenant will need to be approved through the application process prior to moving in.
Paying the rent
It is your legal responsibility to pay your rent, to the Landlord in advance. Please ensure that your payments reach us on or before the due date. Harcourts Property Management will not physically collect your rent. Rent must be paid by the method stated on your tenancy agreement. If you have any problems with your rent payments please notify your Property Manager at the earliest possible time. If you fall into arrears, we will be obligated to follow the procedures outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act to collect the rent on behalf of the landlord.
Inspections – Pre inspection & Routine Inspections
A property condition report is used to determine the condition of the property at the commencement of your tenancy. It also ensures that you are not held responsible for damage at the expiry of your tenancy which may have been there prior to your occupation. You are required to make comment and additional notes, sign and return the document to our office. The document will be filed with your Tenancy Agreement and used as evidence of the property condition at the commencement of the tenancy.
Routine Inspections will be made at regular intervals. The primary role of these inspections is to advise the owner of the condition and care of their property and what, if any, maintenance is required. This is an opportunity for you to point out any maintenance required at the property. Photos may be taken by the Property Manager during the inspection.
Repairs and Maintenance
It is important when you notice a maintenance issue that you inform our office as soon as possible (in writing). This can be done using the maintenance request form and can be issued via email, fax or mail. Jobs requiring attention by tradespeople firstly require permission from the landlord.
Once the Landlord’s approval has been obtained, a work order is forwarded directly to the specific tradesperson, who will then be in direct contact with you to arrange a convenient time to address the approved maintenance. Please be aware that works carried out on the property by any person not approved under a work order from a Harcourts office may result in your liability to pay the account.
Emergency Repair
Please visit Maintenance & Urgent Repairs for a clear understanding of what is considered urgent as per the Residential Tenancies Act.
The legislation is specific about what constitutes an emergency repair and it’s important that you know that should the issue not be deemed an emergency, you will be responsible for the account. An emergency repair is something that is likely to cause injury, undue inconvenience, or which makes the property unsafe or insecure. (For eg. burst water service, broken toilet (where there is no other toilet), serious leak, serious electrical fault ).
Ending the Tenancy and leaving the Property
Contact your Property Manager to discuss your legal requirements with regards to ending your tenancy as written notice periods will be required. The amount of notice required varies. Once the Property Manager has received your ‘Notice of Intention to Vacate’ or have issued you with a ‘Notice to Vacate’, you will be contacted and advised of all the requirements to finalise your lease. Once you have vacated the premises and possession of the property has been handed back to Harcourts Rata & Co (that is, all keys have been returned to Harcourts Rata & Co) a final inspection can be completed.
It is important to understand that a final inspection cannot be conducted until Harcourts Rata & Co has possession of the property, rent will be payable until all keys are returned. After completion of a final inspection, the finalisation of a Bond can commence.
To ensure that your bond is returned in full, rent and all applicable invoices must be paid in full and the property has been returned in its original condition as per the entry condition report (excluding fair wear and tear).
Breaking the lease OR TRANSFERRING A LEASE
Your lease agreement is a legally binding contract and as such a process needs to be followed to break any lease agreement. Should you wish to break lease, your intentions must be documented in writing by emailing your Property Manager and Harcourts Rata & Co.
You are required to pay rent and maintain the condition of the property including gardens until such a time that you have formally vacated the premises.
Likewise, with a tenancy transfer, please inform your Property Manager and Harcourts Rata & Co in writing of your intentions to transfer the lease. Please note that the Residential Rental Provider(s)/Landlord(s) may not approve a transfer of lease to another tenant. The standard tenancy application process will apply.
Your Property Manager will discuss with you your obligations and the process required to break your lease.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Download a copy of
Renting a Home – A Guide for Tenants
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