TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT PROPERTY
- Preparing a list of requirements for your new rental property, allowing for some flexibility. For example, will a carport be adequate instead of a garage if there is other storage.
- Take a tour around the area that you are looking at, including adjoining areas. You may find a nearby suburb is equally appealing and may offer better value for money.
- Check our website daily for updates on our latest properties, or subscribe to our Rental Property Alert to have them sent directly to your inbox.
- Take advantage of our open for inspection times or make an appointment to view properties that interest you.
- When you find a suitable property, be ready to apply. You will need to provide identification and references…see the Tenancy Application page on our website for further details.
- Give as much detail as possible on your application form to avoid delays, and improve your chance of success.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why do I need to provide so much information with my application?
A: Apart from helping to establish that you will make a good tenant, the properties managed by our office are protected by Landlord Insurance Policies.These policies require documented evidence to confirm the following:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of income/ability to meet rental payments
- Proof that you will make a good tenant.
Q: How long will it take to process my application?
A: We will commence checking your application as soon as we receive it; however the total time taken depends on how readily we can contact your references and how many other people have applied for the same property.
Average time is 1-3 days.
Q: What can I do to improve my application?
A: Be organised. Make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation to accompany your application, and provide plenty of contact numbers for your references.
Q: What can I do to improve my chances of success?
A: We look for tenants with good rental history.
Most importantly, we need to establish that your rent has been paid on time and the property has been well maintained and cared for.
Q: What if my application isn’t approved?
A: Normally there are several applicants for each property, and unfortunately not everyone can be approved.
We will advise you if this is the case as soon as we receive confirmation from the owner of the property.
If you are interested in another one of our rental properties you may request to transfer your application to that property.
ONCE YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED
On approval of your tenancy application, you will be asked to pay a holding deposit equivalent to two weeks rent.
This deposit not only secures the property for you, but also becomes the first two weeks rent when the tenancy commences.
Your property manager will then make an appointment with you to sign the Residential Tenancy
Agreement and Rental Bond form. A signed copy of the agreement will be handed to you.
Prior to collecting the keys to the property, you will be provided with a detailed Inspection Sheet,
which forms part of the Residential Tenancy Agreement.
This is an important part of the agreement that will be used to determine any damage or costs that you may be responsible for at the end of the tenancy.
It is important that you complete the “T” section of the Inspection sheet, sign it and return one copy to the agent within 3 days of the commencement date
of the tenancy.
The balance of money must also be paid to the managing agent, prior to the collection of the keys.
This includes the full bond and advance rent.
RENTAL BOND
Your rental bond will be lodged with the Tenancies Branch. The bond is held as security against any damage or undue wear and tear.
The bond will be refunded promptly after you vacate, provided the property is left in as close as possible to the same condition as when the Residential Tenancy
Agreement commenced (allowing for fair wear and tear) and there are no monies owing.
The bond will vary depending on the price of the rental property, and in SA the maximum rental bond that can be asked for is 6 weeks rent.
LENGTH OF TENANCY AGREEMENT
The length of a tenancy agreement varies within SA, however the standard term is usually 6 or 12 months for the initial agreement. Other lease periods may be negotiable.
Once the tenancy agreement has expired, the tenant may be offered a new fixed term lease, or alternatively the tenant can stay in the premises at the same rent
(or at an increased rent if the rent is increased in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1995), but otherwise under the same terms unless or until the agreement is ended.
CONNECTION OF ELECTRICITY, PHONE, GAS ETC
You can contact each of the utility providers separately of a free utilities connection company such as ConnectNow to have all of your services connected at once.
You can arrange to use ConnectNow by signing the appropriate section of your application.
Water will remain connected at the property and you will receive your first water usage bill during the first three months of your tenancy.
PAYING RENT
When you sign your Residential Tenancy Agreement you undertake to pay your rent on or before the due date.
If at anytime you are unable to meet your rental payment commitment please make immediate contact with your Property Manager.
Our preferred method of payment is by direct deposit into our Trust account.
We will provide you with our bank account details when the Tenancy Agreement is signed.
RENTAL INCREASES
The rental can be increased on the property only during a fixed term agreement if it is specified in the Tenancy Agreement.
Rent increase cannot be sooner than 6 months from start of tenancy or date of last increase.
A minimum of 60 days written notice must be given before the landlord can increase the rent.
