Tenant information

The search begins

With a clear understanding of your requirements we will compile a selection of all properties that match your criteria. Often viewings can be arranged immediately. At your request, SMS property alert enables the latest property information to be instantly transmitted directly to your mobile whilst simultaneously a full colour brochure will be sent direct to you by email. Click here to request an SMS property alert.

Application

We will endeavour to process your application immediately because we know that you will be waiting on an answer. It is recommended that you do not make an application on a second property elsewhere until you receive confirmation regarding the outcome of this application. With this in mind, it is our goal to obtain a definite answer for you within 24 hours of receipt of your application. If the process is slower, it is generally because we have not received all the information requested, or we are waiting on answers from referees or owners. In any event we will keep you posted. Click here to download an application form.

Bond and Rent

Prior to moving in you will be required to pay an additional weeks rent (if paying weekly or fortnightly) or the remainder of the calendar monthly amount (if this is the preferred payment method), the bond (four weeks rent) and the lease preparation fee $15.00. This is to be paid by cash or bank cheque only. No personal cheques can be accepted.

Notification of the results

You will be notified of the result of your application immediately a decision is made and we have confirmed the lessor’s instructions. Please ensure that we have a daytime telephone contact number for you.

Keys

Keys to the property will not be handed over until all monies are paid in full bond and rent, the lease signed by all parties and lease start date has commenced.

Insurance

A reminder that insurance of your personal belongings is your responsibility. Speak with your property manager as Ray White Insurances have a contents policy suitable for tenants. We hope this information is of value to you. If there is anything we can do to make the ‘moving in’ process easier for you, please let us know. It is our aim to provide you with every assistance to ensure that your association with this office is an enjoyable one.

Securing your Tenancy

Once the tenancy application has been approved, you will be required to pay one week’s rent as a deposit on the property. This is required within the first 24 hours of approval and can be paid to the office by cash or directly into our bank account.

Privacy Policy

We are an independently owned and operated business. We are bound by the National Privacy Principals. We may be collecting personal information about you by various methods throughout the tenancy to enable us to manage and maintain the premises as per the Residential Tenancies Act. We may disclose personal information about you to the owner of the property and to contractors (approved and authorized by Ray White) in the course of our day to day duties.
You have the right to access personal information that we hold about you by contacting our privacy officer.

Signing your agreements

We will arrange a time with you to go through the lease documents and to collect the remaining monies owed. You should allow approximately 30 minutes. All tenants are to attend the office for this process. You will be given a copy of the tenancy agreement to read before signing. We consider this to be a vital document and want to ensure that you are aware of all of your obligations before making a commitment.

Cleaning to be done when vacating premises

To assist in ensuring your bond is returned without any avoidable deductions or time delays, please keep the following on file and refer to it prior to handing back all sets of keys and Exit Condition Report. Prompt reporting of maintenance issues ensures continued enjoyment of the tenancy with minimal disturbance.

Generally

• Clean all windows, doors, sliding doors, window tracks, fly screens and security screens
• Vacuum all sliding door tracks and wipe clean
• Sweep and mop all floors (except carpet), removing any marks
• Carpets to be cleaned by a registered Carpet Cleaner
• Fumigation for Fleas to be carried out by a Registered Pest Control Company if applicable
• Clean light fittings, remove all cobwebs (remove light fittings and wipe out dead bugs)
• Clean marks off walls and light switches
• Wipe down and remove all dust from skirting boards, picture frames, window sills etc.
• Ensure that all curtains and blinds are clean as per condition report (seek instructions re cleaning advice of curtains if applicable)
• Clean inside built-in wardrobes and mirrored doors (wipe over scuff marks)

Kitchen

• Inside and outside all cupboards and doors (especially pot cupboard, yes these black marks do come off)
• Inside, outside and around stove
• Inside, outside and behind refrigerator and dishwasher (if applicable)
• Exhaust fans and filter
• Sink, especially drain holes
• Range hood and filter (filter can be removed and cleaned)

Bathroom

• All floors, mirrors and windows and window tracks
• Inside and outside all cupboards
• Toilet, bath, shower recess (tiles and screen do get a scum build-up on them - this is to be removed), glass screens, sink
• Shower curtain washed with bleach or replaced if applicable

Laundry

• Inside, outside and behind washing machine, rinse out filter
• Inside, outside and behind dryer, remove lint
• Clean laundry tub (inside bottom cupboard of tub)

Verandah

• Sweep and mop, clean railings and any perspex glass
• Remove all cobwebs etc.

Lock up garage and carport

• Sweep out and remove any oil residue from concrete
• Empty and clean any wheelie bins and remove all rubbish
• Clean garage door inside and outside
• Close garage door

Yards

• Trim garden edges; ensure lawn mowed and tidy; gardens are free of weeds and yard is free of rubbish.
• If furnished,
  Make sure that all items are in original rooms as per inventory and have been cleaned.
  PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A RECOMMENDED CARPET CLEANER AND PEST CONTROL COMPANY. A RECEIPT MUST BE PRESENTED WHEN RETURNING THE KEYS. RENT WILL BE CHARGED UNTIL ALL KEYS ARE HANDED IN

Tenants information guide

Take the time to read this - just a few things you should know.

Condition report

Very important form when moving in. It has to be filled out by tenant and agent so we both agree to the condition of the property. Please return to us within 7 days of moving in. At the time of vacating, you will be required to complete an exit condition report that will compare with the ingoing condition report. Remember, if you have paid for example $750.00 bond then this report is worth $750.00. It is up to you to return it!

Electricity/Phone

It is your responsibility to have electricity, gas and telephone connected in your name and to have the account finalised when you vacate.

Occupancy

Only the people originally included on your application and approved by the owner are allowed to reside at the property permanently. If a new tenant wishes to replace an existing tenant, our office must be informed in order to approve the new application and complete the RTA paperwork. Refer to “Tenant Services” at our website www.raywhite.com for the necessary forms.

Office hours

Our office is open weekdays 8:45am - 5:30pm and Saturdays 8:30am - 4:00pm. Should you wish to see your property manager, contact our office to make an appointment.

Rent arrears

If you are having difficulty in paying your rent, always contact us to discuss your problems. If you become 10 days in arrears, we will issue you with a Letter of Demand. Should rent still not be received, we will in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act issue you with a Termination Notice on the 15th day of your arrears, which will require you to vacate the premises.

Breaking lease

For information on costs and obligations for breaking your lease please contact our staff or refer to the special conditions in your lease, clause 5.

Repairs and requests

We ask that you report any matters requiring repairs or requests immediately to avoid the risk of injury to visitors or damage to the rented property. Any maintenance problem arranged by the tenant outside our normal business hours will be at the tenants cost unless it is proven to be an extreme emergency. You are required to complete a repair advice form should you need maintenance attended to at your property. The only type of maintenance that will be dealt with over the phone is "Emergency".

All repairs must be reported in writing, either by e mail, fax or by coming to our office and filling out a repairs request form. Click here to download a request form.

Excess Water

If applicable in your Tenancy Agreement, you will be responsible for payment of excess water usage at the property.

Contents Insurance

Please be aware that the Lessor's property insurance does not cover your personal belongings and it is in your interest to obtain a contents insurance in case of damage or theft. Ray White Insurances offer a policy suitable for tenants. Speak to your Property Manager for further information.

Rubbish

Must be placed in the proper bins. Rubbish placed in boxes or bags will not be collected by the Council and this then can cause a health problem. If a unit/townhouse complex, the bins will have a designated area.

Pictures

Do not use Blu-Tack or sticky type substances to hang or place pictures on the wall as removal of these items usually causes damage to the walls. If no picture hooks are in the premises please contact us to arrange for approval by the Lessor.

Pets

Unless a pet is specifically approved on your lease, pets will not be allowed without prior approval. Please note that in unit complexes the Body Corporate By-Laws do not allow pets in any case.

Gardens

You are responsible for the lawns and gardens unless specified beforehand. This means watering, weeding, trimming and mowing. Seek advice from your property manager before removing any plants or pruning large bushes/trees.

Routine Inspections

We carry out routine inspections on all our properties, and will advise you in writing prior. This is always a good opportunity to point out any maintenance problems or other concerns you may have. Repair request forms are available from your property manager or can be downloaded from www.raywhite.com under tenant services. If you are not present, we will access the property with our spare keys.

Property for sale

If during your tenancy the property goes up for sale, don't worry! You can not be thrown out at a moments notice. If you are under a fixed term lease you are there for the term of that lease; if you are on a periodic tenancy (month to month), the lessor has to give you 30 days written notice to vacate the property.

Keys

We usually have a spare set of keys in the office. Should you have lost your keys or have locked yourself out you may collect our set during office hours. After hours, our recommended locksmith can be contacted at a set fee.

Water leaks

Water bubbling out of the ground could be a serious problem and could lead to further complications. Phone our office immediately.

Bath/shower leaks

The most common problem in properties is leaking from wet areas ie bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, into adjoining rooms. A regular check for water leaks is advisable. If the carpet/floor is wet, sponge and dry area thoroughly and check again after use of the wet area, advise our office if there is still a problem.

Leaking from toilet

Usually is a minor problem. Regular mopping and turning off the tap between uses is adequate until the tradesperson arrives. Please complete the repair advice form and send to our office to arrange for a tradesperson.

Washing Machine

Check…

• that the power is connected
• that the water taps are turned on
• the load of clothes is not off balance or too high
• lid is connecting with on/off switch when closing
• hoses are securely attached
• if leaking, check hoses for splits

When all else fails, phone us during office hours (if late Sunday night and out of clean clothes, locate nearest laundromat and take riveting book with you. Phone agent Monday morning and remember to recommend good reading material).

Clothes Dryer

Check…

• clean filter before every use of the dryer
• is power on
• dryer is not overloaded
• is air temperature hot when running
• This appliance is not essential, please complete a repair advice form and send to our office to report failure

Faulty switches or fan

Do not attempt to fix it yourself. Do not use switches. Contact our office as soon as possible.

Power

If your neighbours have also lost power contact your electrical company. Otherwise check if you have a Safety Switch, which may have tripped. If so, reset the switch. If it trips again unplug all appliances from power points. Reset Safety Switch and plug in appliances one at a time until faulty appliance is located. If you have a fuse box check this for a blown fuse.

Note: If this does not rectify the problem please notify our office.
Tenants will be required to pay for callouts where a faulty appliance belonging to them has caused the problem.

Pool Problems

• Water level is a priority and must be kept at a level to allow water to flow through the skimmer boxes at all times. Failure to do this could result in enormous expenditure to you.
• No metal objects are to be allowed in the pool as it could cause corrosion marks
• No animals in the pool as this creates a huge chemical imbalance.
• Ensure regular testing of water to keep correct PH level, this helps prevent mould/fungus forming in the pool.
• Vacuum at least once a week to keep pool clear of debris.
• Regular checks of pump to ensure motor working correctly and efficiently (making funny noises could be a forerunner to a problem).
• Leaking or pooling water at the pump could mean a cracked casing and will need attention.
• Even if the pool is maintained for you, it is still part of your responsibility to keep an eye/ear out for any problems.

Emergency Maintenance

Emergency maintenance must be addressed as quickly as possible. Please refer to the 17a Residential Tenancies Information Statement (the booklet in your lease pack) page 16. All emergencies must be phoned through to the office as soon as possible and then formalised in writing. All general maintenance must be put in writing using the repair/request forms that are available from your property manager or can be downloaded from www.raywhite.com - tenant services.