During Your Tenancy
As a tenant, you should be able to enjoy the property and take care of it as your own. To be able to do that, you should know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. This will ensure that your tenancy period is hassle-free. At the same time, you should be aware of any house rules and procedures like repairs, maintenance and inspections that take place during your tenancy.
Maintenance
The landlord has a responsibility to make sure that the home is in good condition for the tenant to be able to live in comfortably. As a tenant, you have a right to enjoy the property as your own during the tenancy period. At the same time, it is also your responsibility to maintain it in good condition and avoid damaging it in any way. Should any need for repairs arise due to fair wear and tear, and no direct fault of the tenant, your Property Manager should be informed about it as soon as practicable so that repairs can be arranged.
Use our Maintenance Form which makes it easier for you to report your maintenance item.
Routine Inspections
Your Property Manager should be allowed to enter the property for routine inspections on occasion. With the correct notice Property Managers, in most states, are allowed to inspect a property no more than 4 times within a twelve month period (except for SA where an inspection can be no more than once every 4 weeks). At the same time, the property owner, or agent, must not in any way intrude into your personal space and allow you “quiet enjoyment”. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure the property is being well looked after and to determine if any repairs or maintenance is required at the property.
Rent Review, Lease Renewals and Sub Leasing
The rent will be revised on a regular basis, in accordance with legislation and market conditions. Your Property Manager will give you 60 days’ notice of any increase and the rent cannot be increased if you are in a fixed term (except for SA and NT where there is provision to increase the rent during the term of your lease), unless stated in the terms of your lease. Your Property Manager will be happy to discuss your options.
Near the end of your fixed term agreement your Property Manager will contact you to see if you wish to stay at the property or end your agreement. If you wish to leave you are required to give your notice in writing before the last day of your lease. Speak with your Property Manager for the specific notice period you need to provide.
Most Property Managers have a strict zero tolerance policy on sub leasing, meaning you as a tenant may not sub lease an empty bedroom to a person not on the lease. For more information about sub leasing speak to your Property Manager.
Contact us for more information about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants during the tenancy period.