Preparing Your Property for Rent

Legislative Requirements & Recommended Actions

The legislative requirements and further steps suggested for the pre-tenancy preparation of your home or investment property can be quite overwhelming when you look at a long list of items you must follow.
 
Essentially, the landlord must abide by the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act. One of these requirements is that the landlord must ensure the premises (and ancillary property) comply with health, safety and housing standards. The landlord must provide the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair and must maintain them (having regard to their age, character and prospective life). The landlord is to abide with all the conditions included in the tenancy agreement and supply agreed services.
 
To provide you with a further understanding of your duties and obligations as a landlord, and us a your property manager, we have outlined an simple and quick reference guide of items.

LANDLORD & MANAGING AGENT - OBLIGATIONS

  • The premises are to be provided in a clean and reasonable state
  • Maintain and repair the premises
  • Ensure that the tenant is given reasonable peace, comfort and privacy whilst living in the premises
  • Pay council rates and taxes
  • Provide and maintain locks to ensure the premises are secure
  • All windows and doors open and close easily
  • Provide receipts for any moneys received from the tenant
  • Keep proper records of rent received relating to tenancy
  • Provide a copy of the lease agreement
  • Provide the tenant a copy of the Information Brochure - Read Here
  • Lodge a security bond with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, if requested
  • Complete and provide two inspection sheets at beginning of a tenancy Smoke alarms are installed in the home
  • Any pool or spa must comply with regulations - fence, signage, water consumption
  • If water consumption is to be passed onto the Tenant, all the minimum criteria is to be met as legislation requires

LANDLORD & MANAGING AGENT - SUGGESTIONS

  • Carpets are professionally steam cleaned
  • Safety switch installed
  • Landlord protection insurance - We recommend all landlords arrange an insurance policy to protect their investment. Brochures and insurance suggestions are available on request
  • Pest control is current and serviced on an annual basis
  • Full set of keys to be provide - one full set 'master access keys' for Managing Agent, and one full set applicable for each tenant named on the lease agreement
  • Ensure property provides adequate security to enable Tenants to obtain contents insurance
  • Telephone line is installed and available (tenant responsible for connection)
  • If a unit or a townhouse - two copies of the By Laws are to be provided to the Managing Agent. (Agent file, tenant copy)

RENTING OUT YOUR OWN HOME?

We also suggest the below;

  • Re-direct your mail via Australia Post - Apply Now
  • Notify the council of your forwarding address for Rates Notices if you have not instructed our agency to pay the rates on your behalf
  • Notify gas, electricity, phone and other utility companies to finalise accounts and provide your forwarding address - Apply Now (Direct Connect FREE service)
  • Notify your Insurance Company and Mortgagee Holder of the change of occupancy status

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Provide your managing agent copies of operating instructions and manuals for appliances or other items which the tenants require instructions for use
  • Provide your managing agent with warranty details for any applicable item or building works
  • Exchange or arrange for normal light bulbs to be replaced with Energy Efficient light bulbs
  • Pre-place picture hooks on walls in best locations - this helps control placement and number of picture hooks allowed and protects walls
  • Arrange for lawns and gardens to be trimmed and maintained regularly until a tenant commences the lease
  • Consider installing lawn and garden sprinklers with timers
  • Weed and mulch the gardens
  • Consider including lawn/garden and/or pool maintenance in the rent.  We can arrange quotes for regular service and adjust the recommended rent accordingly.