Congratulations on your approved application for your new rental home. Raine&Horne Toowoomba, are excited to have you as a tenant.
We know that moving into a new rental property can be a stressful and busy time for most, so we will endeavour to make the process as smooth as possible for you.
Here’s what you can expect;
Paying your Holding Fee and Signing the Tenancy Agreement
- Rent/Bond – Once your application is approved you will be advised the amount due for both rent and bond. A total of six (6) weeks rent is due which consists of two weeks rent in advance and four (4) weeks rent for the bond. The lease will be sent through for Docusign via email scheduled for all parties to sign if unable to do this we can make an appoint in the office to sign the Tenancy Agreement and complete all paperwork.
- Once the Rent/Bond is received into our Trust Account you will be provided with a trust account receipt and the Bond will be lodged with the RTA (Residential Tenancies Authority) within 10 days. The RTA will email you details about your Bond held by them. Please note that the keys will not be provided for the property until the bond and rent are paid in full.
- Tenancy Agreement – All tenants listed on the Tenancy Agreement are required to sign the paperwork. This includes the Tenancy Agreement, Bond Lodgement Form etc. You are required to read these documents carefully and you are welcome to ask any questions.
Upon signing the lease with Raine&Horne Toowoomba, you will receive the following:
- A fully signed copy of the Tenancy Agreement
- 2 copies of the condition report will be printed - the office copy to be signed on collection for our files, or 1 electronic copy will be emailed through for completion
- RTA Pocket Guide for Tenants
- Keys to the property (note: this will only occur if the above takes place on your lease start date)
- A copy of the By-laws if you are moving into a strata unit complex
Utility Connections
It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure your power, gas, phone, internet, etc have been connected into your name prior to moving into the property.
Raine&Horne Toowoomba partner with Direct Connect(do Direct Connect service Toowooomba) who offer a free, no-obligation service to connect all your utilities from the moment you move into your new home – there is no charge to the tenant for this. Direct Connect's service offers a wide range of market leading electricity and gas suppliers to suit your needs and they guarantee your utilities will be connected on the day you move in. They can also connect your broadband, phone and pay TV with Foxtel.
For more information please visit www.directconnect.com.au
Removalist and Parking
Should you be moving into a strata unit complex, there may be some arrangements to be made with the building manager prior to moving in. Should this be the case, your Raine&Horne Toowoomba Property Manager will advise you. You are also welcome to contact the Strata Agent directly to seek further information.
Keys
Should you wish to copy keys it is important to note that upon vacating, all keys, including any copies made by the tenant, must be returned to the Raine&Horne Toowoomba Property Manager or property owner at the end of the tenancy.
Locks can only be changed:
- if the tenant and property manager/owner agree
- in an emergency, or
- by QCAT order.
Any lost or damaged keys, remotes and security fobs, must be replaced at the tenant's expense.
Payment and Lodgement of Your Bond
A bond is a separate payment to rent, it is money that acts as security for the landlord or owner in case you don't meet the terms of your lease agreement. At the end of your agreement if the property is in need of cleaning or repairs or if items need to be replaced the landlord or owner may claim some or all of the bond.
Your bond will be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority and you can expect confirmation from them indicating your lodgement number.
Property Entry Condition Report
Please ensure that you return your signed/amended copy of your property condition report to Raine&Horne Toowoomba within 7 days of the tenancy start date. If this is not returned, please be aware that the original office copy that was signed by you will be used for end of tenancy comparison.
For more information on completing and returning your condition report please see RTA Website.
Tenant Contents Insurance
It is crucial that you affect your own tenant contents insurance.
It is important to note that should your goods be damaged or destroyed by circumstances affecting the owners property they are not insured by the owner. (i.e. fire, storm damage, power outages etc) Example One: An electrical fault in the building starts a fire and the property is destroyed. Your possessions will not be covered by the owners insurance. Example Two: You are away on holidays and the power cuts out due to an electrical fault in the building. Your return home to find your fridge/freezer goods spoilt. The owners insurance will not cover your fridge/freezer goods.
In all cases above, quality tenant contents insurance should cover your goods for these given examples. Please check with your insurer however for the cover they can provide you.
Reporting Maintenance
General Repairs
If something in the premises requires maintenance, leaks or needs fixing you should advise your Property Manager at Property Manager at Raine&Horne Toowoomba as soon as possible. We require all general repairs to be lodged to our office in writing and you can lodge the request through via email. We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible.
Urgent Repairs
Should an emergency occur during business hours, please call us immediately on 0432 502 384 or please refer to the after-hours emergency tradesman on your lease agreement with Raine&Horne Toowoomba.
Emergency Tradesman – as listed on tenancy agreement
Electrician – INSERT
Plumber – INSERT
General – INSERT
Locksmith – Asset
The tenant should contact the property manager or the nominated repairer (listed on the tenancy agreement) about the problem. It is a good idea to put the request in writing as evidence of notification.
If they cannot be contacted, the tenant can arrange for a qualified person to carry out emergency repairs to a maximum value of 2 weeks rent.
Emergency repairs are:
- a burst water service or a serious water service leak
- a blocked or broken toilet
- a serious roof leak
- a gas leak
- a dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm, fire or impact damage
- a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply
- a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the property for hot water, cooking or heating
- a fault or damage that makes the property unsafe or insecure
- a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a tenant
- a serious fault in a staircase, lift or other common area of the property that unduly inconveniences a tenant in gaining access to, or using, the property.
All other repairs are considered routine repairs.
Smoke Alarms
Should you believe for any reason the smoke alarm(s) installed are not working or the batteries are not functioning, please let Raine&Horne Toowoomba know immediately. Tenants must:
- test and clean (by vacuuming or dusting) smoke alarms at least once every 12 months
- replace any flat or nearly flat batteries
- advise the property owner/manager if there is any issue with the alarm (apart from batteries)
- allow the property owner/manager right of entry to install smoke alarms
- Contact Safe Home Services – 1300 20 12 29 a/h 1200 66 10 25, email [email protected]
- DO NOT remove a smoke alarm or the battery, or do anything to reduce the effectiveness of the alarm e.g. paint or cover it as this will be a cost to you if it needs replacing
Air conditioners
Please, regularly clean any filters and intake vents to ensure there is no build-up of dirt and dust, and that the air conditioner is able to draw in air effectively, not hindering performance, or in the worst-case scenario, causing the unit to breakdown resulting in costly repairs and/or replacement. Please also note that if an air conditioner breaks down due to filters and vents not being kept clean, costs to rectify the damage or even replace the unit may be charged to tenants.
If owners have arranged a deep clean & service at the start of the tenancy (with copy of invoice provided), then tenants are to maintain and have the service & deep clean done annually and on vacating the property.
Fireplaces
If the property you are renting has a fireplace, this cannot be used unless you have been given permission from Raine&Horne Toowoomba in writing. Sometimes these are ornamental, or the flue/chimney has been blocked up. Using them could cause a fire to occur.
Strict No Smoking Policy
All properties have a strict ‘no smoking inside’ policy. If tenants still choose to smoke inside the property they will be responsible for specialised cleaning and deodorising of the inside of the property to reduce and eliminate unpleasant smoke odours. This can easily run into the hundreds of dollars and is charged to the tenant.
Tenant Painting
It is Raine&Horne Toowoomba company policy that tenants do not paint any part of the property themselves. Raine&Horne Toowoomba have found in the past that some tenants have not painted the property to a professional standard, resulting in a professional painter being called in to rectify work. It is a policy that any painting can only be carried out by experienced, professional painters with Raine&Horne Toowoomba’s written permission.
Fixtures and Fittings
If you wish to install or remove any fixtures or fittings, you must request this beforehand in writing and it must be approved by the owner.
Picture Hooks
If you wish to install any new picture hooks, please let your Property Manager at Raine&Horne Toowoomba know in writing what type of hooks you wish to use. Please assess the type of walls that are in the property, and the type of picture hooks that are suitable. Raine&Horne Toowoomba will let you know in writing if you are permitted to install appropriate picture hooks.
Taps & Flexible Hoses leaking
Please report any taps leaking and flexible hoses either from a tap head or tap handles. This includes washing machine taps. Sometimes washing machine taps will leak only when connected to automatic washing machine hoses as the tap water pressure exposes leakage in the taps. Failure to notify a leak when you are aware of it will result in the an excess water invoice you will need to pay.
Lawn Maintenance
Please ensure that lawns are regularly mowed and edged, keeping them neat and tidy. Should you wish to have someone regularly mow your lawn, let your Property Manager at Raine&Horne Toowoomba know and we would be happy to recommend a service to you. This is a cost to the tenant. Weeding of gardens beds, inside lawns, paths, paving and other outside areas are the responsibility of the tenant. Trimming of bushes and shrubs in and around the garden are also the responsibility of the tenant.
Pool/Spa Cleaning
Pool/spa cleaning and maintenance, unless it is agreed that the landlord will be supplying a regular cleaning and maintenance service as per your tenancy agreement, this will be a tenant responsibility.
Please note that if regular cleaning does not occur by the tenant, high costs can be incurred to bring it back to its original clean state. If this occurs, this will be at tenant cost. It is also a tenant responsibility to ensure that the pool/spa is kept topped up with water, and must not empty the pool/spa without written approval from Raine&Horne Toowoomba.
Any damage to the pool & equipment from lack of cleaning/maintenance will be charged to the tenant. Supplying of pool treatment chemicals will be a tenant responsibility, at tenant cost.
Pool/Spa Fences and Gates
Raine&Horne Toowoomba must be notified immediately if fences and gates are not functioning correctly, and the gate fails to self-close promptly when opened. State pool/spa regulations must be up kept at all times.