Tenants

Please take the time to read through all the information below

TENANCY AGREEMENTS

This is an important legal document which gives you certain rights but also certain legal obligations. It is important that you understand that this agreement is a form of contract and can't be broken by either party without penalty. This means you are obligated until the end of your fixed term (the end date on your agreement). Sometimes situations arise and people assume they can or should be able to break their tenancy. It is never that simple a tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract and you may be responsible for compensation to the owner if you break your lease. If you do get into difficulties, please contact your Property Manager who will assist you to sort things out.

BOND, RENT & KEYS

Prior to moving in you will be required to pay a bond (four weeks rent) plus two weeks rent in advance.

The bond is payable to the RTA- Residential Tenancy Authority. The two weeks rent is payable to Bayside Boutique Property Management.

Bond transfers are NOT accepted. No personal cheques will be accepted. Keys to the property will not be handed over until all monies are paid in full, the lease signed by all parties and the lease start date has commenced.

RENT ARREARS

You have a clear obligation to pay your rent in advance NOT IN ARREARS.

In instances where a tenant does fall behind in rent we implement our Rental Arrears Management Procedure.

RENTAL ARREARS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE:

Tenants receiving a Notice to Leave will be expected to have vacated the rental property by the same date. Tenants are also advised during the process that if a Notice to Leave is issued their name and details may be placed on TICA-Tenancy Information Centre of Australia.

ENTRY CONDITION REPORT

This is a very important Form when moving in. It has to be filled out by the tenant and the Property Manager so we can acknowledge that we both agree to the entry condition of the property. Please return the entry condition report to us within 3 days of the commencement of your lease - it forms part of your lease agreement, and it is a breach of lease if it is not returned. If the entry condition report is not returned then the agencies copy will be accepted as the true and valid copy.

At the time of vacating, you will be required to complete an exit condition report that will be compared with the entry condition report. Remember, if you paid $800 bond then this report is worth $800. It is up to you to return it! Be very particular when filling out this report and make sure you mark down everything. If it's not on the report, you will be charged for it when you leave.

ROUTINE INSPECTIONS

An internal inspection of your property will be carried out every three (3) months. You will be advised in writing (RTA Form 9- Notice of Entry) of these inspections approximately seven (7) days prior to the inspection. You are not required to be present for the inspection although we do welcome your involvement if you prefer to be home. We have a set of keys for your property and in the event that you are not able to be home, we will use these keys to gain entry. We will leave a note in a prominent place to let you know that we have conducted our inspection.

This inspection allows you the opportunity to point out any maintenance problems or other concerns you may have. The owner of the property will receive a written report of the overall condition of the property. We also use these reports when giving rental references.

OCCUPANCY

Only the people originally included on the 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 RTA paperwork. No one is allowed to move in without our permission.

BREAKING YOUR LEASE

If you break your Tenancy Agreement, under the current legislation, you will be responsible for the rent until the end of your lease or until a new tenant is found and a new lease signed. Costs for advertising of the property plus the re-let fee and any maintenance of the property (if applicable) will be charged to you. Please notify us as soon as possible if you intend to break your lease.

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

Please report matters requiring repairs or maintenance immediately to avoid the risk of injury to visitors or damage to the rental property. All non- urgent maintenance requests must be received to our office in writing. An online maintenance form has been added for your convenience or you can collect a maintenance request form from our office. Maintenance issues are processed within 24 hours of receipt. However delays may occur in attending to them due to awaiting owners instructions or trades people availability. We appreciate your patience in these matters. We have reliable and qualified trades people to help with repairs and maintenance issues. Should you attempt to carry out the repairs and they are not done to a satisfactory standard you could be responsible for additional expenses at the end of your tenancy.

CARE OF THE PROPERTY

You have a very clear obligation under the Act and your agreement to take good care of the property to ensure that, at the end of the tenancy, you can leave the property in the same condition it was in at the start. This includes internal and external cleanliness, and the care of lawns, gardens, driveways and entrances.

ALTERATIONS OR REPAIRS TO THE PROPERTY

Whilst we appreciate that the property may not be completely to your tastes, it is not permissible to carry out alterations to your property without written approval from the owner or our office. In the event that you are given approval (eg: to fence a property) it is imperative that you carry out your obligations at the end of the tenancy and return the property to its condition at the start of the tenancy, unless you have been given written permission to do otherwise.

Please do not insert any screws, nails, hooks or hanging devices into the property without permission.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

For all property maintenance, please contact our Office on 07 4194 2936.

There are a range of situations which arise outside of normal business hours. If this happens, please take a few minutes to asses it yourself. If it truly is an emergency, it usually means your health, safety or security is at risk. In these instances you should consult our preferred trade people list at the end of this page for the names of trade people to contact or as per the Residential Tenancy Law you are permitted to contact your own tradesperson. If it is simply something important but not requiring immediate after hours call out, then contact our office on the next working day. Maintenance issues are usually processed within 24 hours of notice. Delays may occur in attending to them due to awaiting owners instructions or trades people availability. We appreciate your patience in these matters.

Emergency maintenance must be addressed as quickly as possible. 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 the office.

PLEASE NOTE: Dryers, dishwashers, rangehoods, pool pumps, washing machines, stoves and garbage disposals will not be accepted as an after hours emergency.

CONTENTS INSURANCE

Please be aware that the Lessors property insurance does not cover your personal belongings and it is in your interest to obtain contents insurance in case of theft or damage. Regardless of cause, a Lessors insurance cannot cover your personal property.

BREAK-IN/ROBBERY

In the event of a break-in, please contact the police and obtain a crime report number from them. Contact our office as soon as possible and inform of any damages and/or repairs required.

ELECTRICITY/PHONE

It is your responsibility to have the electricity/ gas and telephone connected in your name and to have the account finalised when you vacate. On having the telephone connected could you please advise the office of your new number to assist in communication.

WATER CHARGES

If applicable in your Tenancy Agreement, you will be responsible for payment of water usage at the property so please report water leaks immediately.

HOT WATER SYSTEMS

If your supply of hot water is not hot or does not seem to last as long as it should, your hot water system may need topping up. If you have a Saxon Hot Water System, it needs to be topped up on a regular basis usually every 3-4 months. To do this, you release the pressure valve on the side of the system and you will hear the sound of running water. This is filling up the heating mechanism inside the tank. Once full, it will run out the overflow pipe, usually situated beside the valve. It is recommended to check the location of the overflow pipe before you commence, particularly if the system is located inside the house. You may end up with some spillage, so be prepared. The instructions for the process are also displayed on a sticker on the system, with clear diagrams of the required process.

If the lack of hot water continues check:

Remember in winter, the efficiency of the tank is less than in summer and the water will get cooler quicker.

Note: Please follow the above procedure before requesting maintenance.

POWER

If your neighbours have also lost power contact the electricity company ERGON. 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 brown 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.

PLUMBING

Under Section 7.2 (a) of the Residential Tenancies Act it states that it is the tenant/s responsibility to keep all plumbing and guttering clean and clear.

If there is a problem, try drain cleaner and rubber plunger on all drains. If the problem remains contact our office.

PETS

If you have been given approval to have pets at the property it is important that you keep the pets outside. Pets are only allowed at the discretion of the Lessor. Please DO NOT attempt to conceal an animal on the premises, it could lead to the termination of your tenancy.

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

KEYS

Should you lose your keys or lock yourself out you should contact a locksmith, at your expense. All keys signed for on commencement of the tenancy must be returned on vacating. If lock changing is necessary, the cost will be charged to the tenant/s. You are reminded that he conditions of the lease prohibit changing locks without written consent from our office. While consent in most cases will be granted, we do require copies of the keys for our office.

When vacating, rent will be charged up until the keys are returned to the office.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

If during your tenancy the property goes up for sale, don't worry. You can't 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 notice to vacate the property.

END OF YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT

The required time periods for ending a tenancy whether at the end of a fixed term (lease) or during a periodic (ongoing) tenancy is 2 weeks. Please note, you are always required to put your intention to vacate in writing. This is best done on the approved RTA Form 13 (Notice of Intention to Leave). On this notice you are required to state the date you will be leaving the property. Upon receipt of this you will be notified by our office of your specific obligations when you leave. Please make sure you check these before you make any arrangements for cleaning, pest control or maintenance to the property.

CONCLUSION

We want you to know that we appreciate your business. We trust that you have taken the time to read the above information and that you will carry out your obligations as required and respect our position as managing agents. We certainly respect your position as tenants and will do our utmost to ensure that your time in the property is enjoyable.

Regards Bayside Boutique Property Management

Important Numbers List

EMERGENCY

000
Police Non- Urgent 131 444

Hervey Bay Police Station

07 4123 8111

Ambulance non-urgent

131 233

Fire non-urgent

07 4125 2133

Hervey Bay Hospital

07 4120 6666

Ergon

131 046

Optus

133 345

Telstra

13 22 00
SES 132 500
King Plumbing & Drainage 0418 783 103
Astra Electrical 0438 196 869