Renter Information
Commencing a tenancy
We have prepared a brief guide to assist you with commonly asked questions. If you would like further information in relation to any of these points, please contact your property manager.
Rental Agreement
The rental agreement is the legally binding document between the renters and the rental provider. All parties to the agreement will be required to sign the rental agreement prior to the tenancy commencing.
A mandatory disclosure document will be provided to all renters prior to the rental agreement being signed.
Bond Lodgment
Prior to the commencement of the lease, a bond is required to be paid. This bond will be paid the RTBA (Residential Tenancies Bond Authority) and held until the termination of the tenancy.
Utility Connections
It is a renters responsibility to have electricity, gas, water and telephone connected and to finalise all accounts with your suppliers when vacating.
YourPorter can arrange all of your utility connections, fast and free of charge. Simply contact your property manager, complete the utility connection section on your tenancy application form, or submit your details online at www.yourporter.com.au
Water Usage
As a renter in a residential property with a separate water meter you are responsible for the Water Usage Charge and Sewage Disposal charge. Your property manager will provide your details to the appropriate water company to ensure that the bills are sent directly to you for payment.
The rental provider will continue to pay the Water Service Charge, Sewer Service Charge, Waterways and Drainage Charge and the Parks Charge (an annual charge) directly to the water company.
Insurance
The rental provider’s insurance policy covers only the building plus any fixtures and fittings that they own. Renter’s possessions are unable to be covered under a rental provider policy.
With increasing incidences of accidental damage, storm and flood damage, burglary and theft, we strongly recommend you take out appropriate renters contents insurance cover to insure your possessions.
Condition Report
A condition report will be provided prior to the commencement of your tenancy and must be returned to our office within five business days from the commencement of your tenancy, whether there are any changes or not. Failure to return in the allocated time frame will result in your updated copy not being used at end of the tenancy.
Occupancy
Only applicants approved by the owner and included on the Rental Agreement are permitted to reside at the property. Any additional persons must complete an application and have it approved by the owner prior to occupying the premises.
During a tenancy
Paying Rent
It is the Renters legal responsibility to pay rent to the agent on or before the date that it is due. Please allow sufficient time over public holidays or weekends. Due to safety concerns, we are unable to accept cash payments to our office without prior notice.
Rental Arrears
A reminder will be via phone, email or SMS if rent is overdue and a Notice to Vacate will be served when rent is 14 days in arrears from the due date. If you are having difficulties paying your rent, please contact your property manager for assistance.
Breaking Lease
We will assist renters who find it necessary to break their lease, however the renter is responsible for the appropriate pro rata releasing costs and must pay rent until the property is re-let to a suitable renter. Please refer to your rental agreement for more information.
Pets
Renters must seek consent from the rental provider before keeping a pet on the premises. Click here to complete the relevant notice https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/library/forms/housing-and-accommodation/renting/pet-request-form.docx
Routine Inspections
Your property manager will perform a routine inspection of the property three months after you commence in the property and approximately every six months thereafter. The main purpose is to provide a report to the rental provider to assess the overall property and also to check for any repairs that may be required.
Video/Photos may be taken of the property and any maintenance, however we do not capture renters possessions in such recordings intentionally, and these images will not be used for marketing or advertising purposes.
Due to safety concerns, all dogs must be removed from the premises for any inspections.
Maintenance
We ask that you report any matters requiring repair or maintenance immediately to avoid the risk of personal injury or damage to the rented property.
All general maintenance must receive in writing to your property manager and should clearly state your name, property address and description of the issue that you are reporting.
We request photos/video’s identifying the issue to be provided as this may assist the owner when arranging the repairs.
Urgent Repairs
Urgent items are generally those that could cause injury to a person or damage to the property.
Renters should contact our office as soon as they become aware of urgent maintenance being required.
Renters should use the emergency contact information they were given when they moved into the property and contact our office and confirm their request in writing.
Click here to view the list of urgent repairs
- burst water service
- blocked or broken toilet system
- serious roof leak
- gas leak
- dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm or fire damage
- an essential service or appliance for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or laundering is not working
- the gas, electricity or water supply is not working
- a cooling appliance or service provided by the rental provider is not working
- the property does not meet minimum standards
- a safety-related device, such as a smoke alarm or pool fence, is not working
- an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working and causes a lot of water to be wasted
- any fault or damage in the property that makes it unsafe or insecure, including pests, mould or damp caused by or related to the building structure
- a serious problem with a lift or staircase.
Keys
Renters are responsible for all keys given at the beginning of the tenancy. Our office is usually unable to assist in providing spare keys. If you lose your keys or are locked out of the property, you must arrange a locksmith at your own expense.
Locks
If you change the locks at any time a spare key must be given to our office.
Car Parking
Park cars only in the space allotted for the demised premises and take all reasonable precaution to prevent leakage of oil or any other stains substance in the carpark/garage. Cars should not to be parked on front nature strips or lawn areas.
Ending a tenancy
Giving notice to vacate
If a renter wishes to vacate the property at the end of the tenancy agreement, or a date after the end of the lease, you must provide at least 28 days notification in writing of your intention to vacate and specify the date that you will leave the property.
Lease break
If a renter wishes to vacate a property before the end of the fixed term lease, this is known as a Lease Break. There are penalties involved with Breaking a Lease, which include:
- Rent until a new renter is located and occupies the property
- Advertising costs – Internet & Board
- Lease Break fee – Pro Rata costs applied
- Tenancy database checks – if required
Please refer to your lease for further information.
Final inspection
On the final day of your tenancy, your property manager will complete a thorough inspection of your property. We request that all renters be available to complete the final inspection on the final day of the tenancy.
If the property was professionally cleaned prior to the commencement of your rental agreement, then you will be required to have the property professionally cleaned before you deliver up vacant possession.
All properties that are vacated must be returned in a clean and presentable condition, in accordance with the condition report that was provided at the commencement of the tenancy, less fair wear and tear. Damage caused to the property will usually be the responsibility of the renter to remedy.
We request that all cleaning and gardening works are completed in preparation for the final inspection to take place.
Rent will be charged until the property is clean, vacant and the keys for the property have been provided to the property manager.
Claiming the Bond from the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA)
Upon satisfactory completion of the final inspection, your property manager will process your Bond Claim Form, which will need to be completed and authorised electronically by all tenants who signed the original Bond Lodgement form.
After satisfying all aspects of vacating the property you will usually be able to obtain your bond refund from the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 3 days signing the bond claim form.