Know your responsibilities when renting When renting, little problems can turn into big problems if you are not aware of who is responsible for taking care of issues that may arise. As a tenant you are obliged to do the following: - Keep the property clean
- Not cause damage to the premises
- Inform the landlord as soon as possible if any damage has occurred
- Ask for the landlords permission to install fixtures or make alterations, renovations etc
- Avoid causing a nuisance to the landlord or to neighbours
- Do not participate in anything illegal on the property
The landlord is obliged to: - Keep the premises in good repair
- Avoid disturbing the tenant unnecessarily
Tenancy Agreement A tenancy agreement is a legally binding agreement that you enter into. Before you sign anything, make sure you read and understand all the conditions of the agreement. If you are unsure or don’t understand anything, don’t sign, ask questions or seek external advice. Once you have signed the tenancy agreement and paid the bond you will be provided with a Condition Report. This report records the condition of the property. Check this report carefully and immediately discuss any issues you may have with us. Rent and Bond You are required to pay 2 weeks rent in advance, and a rental bond equivalent to 4 weeks rent when moving into a property. Your rent should be 2 weeks in advance at all times. Insurance Owner’s insurance does not cover tenant’s possessions; therefore it is the tenant’s responsibility to insure their personal contents and furniture. Paying Rent on Time In the tenancy agreement it is a condition that rent must be paid on time and in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the agreement. Paying your rent on time is your responsibility. We have a number of payment options available to enable this. Routine Inspections Regular inspections of the property will be carried out as they ensure that the property is being cared for properly and no damage has occurred, and also keeps and eye on any maintenance that may be required to keep the property in a suitable condition. This is also a good time to point out any repairs or maintenance you feel needs attention. Repairs It is your responsibility to look after the property, to keep it clean and tidy, having regard to the condition of the property when you took possession. The landlord is responsible to keep the property maintained in good repair. If any problems arise it is important to report your concerns in writing to us asap. Giving Notice Terminating a tenancy must be done in accordance with the tenancy agreement and legislative requirements. You should discuss the notice requirements with us as soon as you decide you would like to leave. Always submit your notice in writing. |
