Perry Beebe
05 Dec 13
First-time renters may experience a bit of shock once they start a tenancy term. Tenancy involves abiding by the rules established by the property owner. First-time tenants will do well if they make an effort to understand the contents of the tenancy agreement to see to it that they have a good grasp of house rules. More importantly, first-timers need to be aware of their responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of the property owner or the property manager who acts on behalf of the owner.
It is important for first-time renters to be good tenants because if they ever decide to apply for tenancy in the future, their first tenancy will be part of the basis for evaluation. When presented with the tenancy agreement, the tenant will be provided with heaps of information. Here are some of the more important items that first-time tenants need to understand.
Rental Payments
One of the most important items that the first-time tenant needs to understand is the provision on rent. Rent should be paid in a timely manner. Rent may include utilities and services such as water, electricity, common area maintenance and waste disposal. In other cases, the rent is separate from utilities and services, and the tenant will have to pay for separately metered utilities. The tenant should be clear about the rent provisions to avoid any confusion.
Rental Bond
The tenant is typically required to pay a rental bond, which serves as a security deposit to protect the interest of the owner in case the tenant goes into default. Be clear on what the local tenancy laws state should be the legal amount of a rental bond. The rental bond will be returned to the tenant at the end of the tenancy term, provided that all of the end-of-lease obligations have been fulfilled by the tenant.
Repair and Maintenance Responsibilities
The tenant must be aware of their repair and maintenance responsibilities during the tenancy term. Repair and maintenance provisions in leases can be tricky because they are often not the same for all tenancy agreements. As a general rule, the property owner is usually responsible for structural repairs, plumbing and electrical repairs. The tenant is given the responsibility to take good care of the premises during the rental term. Anything that was damaged because of the tenant’s fault will be the responsibility of the tenant. Aside from the actual repair and maintenance work, the tenant should also know who will pay for the repair or maintenance work.
If there are carpets or other additions in the premises, the tenant should be careful to take note of the condition of the items at the start of the lease. It will also help to take pictures as proof of the condition of the premises. At the end of the tenancy period, the tenant will be expected to do rental bond cleaning to bring the premises back to its original condition.
If there are provisions that are not clear, the tenant can always consult the property manager. For more information on tenancy rules, visit All Residential Real Estate’s website. (Source: http://realestatewollongongnsw.com.au/).