FAQ's

 

If you are a current tenant renting from Raine & Horne Kingsford, you have come to the right place!

We have gathered all relevant information and FAQs we get from tenants. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or 8397 7878.

Rental Payments

Rent under your Residential Tenancy Agreement is payable in advance on the due date. If at any time you are not able to make a rental payment, please make immediate contact with your property manager.

Raine & Horne Kingsford/Kensington provides a convenient and free direct debit facility in order to pay your rent. The direct debit request form is to be completed upon signing the lease. Debits will take place on the date the rent is due. If for any reason there is a problem with debiting your rent on its due date, we require notice in writing no less than 72 hours prior to the day the debit is due to take place.

Rental Bond

Your rental bond will be lodged with the NSW Department of Fair Trading. 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 the same condition it was in prior to your tenancy. 

Periodic Inspections

During the course of your tenancy, the premises will be inspected periodically by Raine & Horne Kingsford/Kensington after the required notice has been given. Where applicable, the upkeep of the gardens and grounds is your responsibility. Please do not store unnecessary paper, rubbish, bottles, cans etc; on or around the premises which can cause personal injury and is also a fire and safety hazard.

Keys

A duplicate key to your new rental property may be retained by Raine & Horne Kingsford/Kensington for emergency access. Under special circumstances, and on producing identification, the key can be borrowed during office hours but must be returned to the office before closing hours on that day. If we are required to come to the property a $120.00 call-out fee will apply.

It would therefore be advised that you also make private arrangements regarding the location of a spare key, should you inadvertently lock yourself out. Locks may only be changed after first obtaining permission from Raine & Horne Kingsford/Kensington or the landlord and then on the strict understanding that you supply us with a spare set of keys.

Insurance

We strongly urge you to insure your personal possessions against any loss, damage, or theft. Please note: The landlord's insurance will not cover your possessions.

Electricity, Gas & Telephone

Raine & Horne Kingsford/Kensington provides a free service to connect your utilities through provide Direct Connect. The selection of this service was listed on your tenancy application form. Even though you have just signed your lease, it is not too late to utilise this free service, just ask your property manager.

Repairs & Maintenance

All repairs are to be put in writing using the Repair Request forms which are available from our office, via email to your property manager or on our website under property information and services.

Only emergency repairs will be accepted verbally. All repairs are attended to as promptly as possible however it is often necessary to obtain the landlord's approval and/or quotes before any work can commence. So, unfortunately, a time lag is sometimes unavoidable.

If firm arrangements regarding access for any tradesmen are not kept by you, the service charge for calling the tradesman will be automatically passed onto you for payment.

Termination of Tenancy

Your Residential Tenancy Agreement is a legal and binding contract providing protection for both you and the Landlord. You can terminate the Residential Tenancy Agreement in the following ways:

 

  • If you intend to vacate at the end of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, you are required to give 14 days' written notice prior to the expiry of the fixed term of your Agreement.
  • Once the fixed term has expired, you are at liberty to continue living at the property or to vacate. If you intend to vacate, written notice to that effect must be received by our office at least 21 days prior to the vacating date. Please note that written notice must have the signatures of all leaseholders. This document can be scanned and emailed, faxed or personally brought into the office.

 

If, however, unforeseen circumstances arise and you must vacate prior to the expiration of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, please contact your property manager immediately and we will endeavour to find another suitable tenant. However, he/she will still be responsible for the rent until another suitable tenant is found as well as the payment of a one-week letting fee and all advertising costs.

Should you find someone to take over your lease at any point, this is to be treated like a normal termination of tenancy. Under no circumstance can you simply hand over a property to new occupants without prior written confirmation from your property manager. Failure to do this may result in the tenancy being terminated and loss of bond.

Property Condition Report

Before the tenancy commences, a thorough inspection has been carried out and a comprehensive Entry Condition Report completed. At the time of signing the lease agreement, you will be provided with a copy of this report for your comments.

To ensure there will be a smooth transition when you vacate the property, it is essential that you complete and return your copy within seven business days. If we do not receive your copy within this time it is deemed you accept the home as per the condition report signed at the time the lease documents were completed and that report will be used upon your vacation.

Smoke Alarms

Where a smoke alarm is of the type that has a replaceable battery, the landlord must put a new battery in at the commencement of a tenancy. After the tenancy begins that tenant is responsible for replacing the battery if needed however if the tenant is physically unable to change the battery, the tenant is required to notify the landlord's agent as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for it to be replaced.