How long will it take to lease out my property?

With the correct marketing strategies and price set within the market conditions, your property should lease, on average, between 7 – 14 days.

How do you determine the best rent for my property?

We always strive to get you the maximum rent possible, however we also must keep in mind setting the correct market rent to get your property rented as soon as possible. To do this, we consider these factors:

• Demand – is there currently a high or low demand for rental properties? This can be seasonal and affected by a number of factors.
• What is available now – we look at properties currently available for rent and consider their location and features for comparison, to calculate a maximum rent for your property.
• What we have rented right now – we compare your property with what we have currently rented, taking into account property location and features.
• These factors allow us to give you enough information to set the right rent for your property.

What if I want a rental price higher than your recommendation?

You may place your property on the market at whatever rental amount you wish. However, keep in mind that it is market demand that sets the rent, and if the market (i.e. prospective tenants looking for a rental property) thinks that the asking rent is too high, your property may stay vacant longer than necessary. With this in mind, be aware your annual rental return will be reduced by 2% for every week it is vacant!

What is the length of the average lease?

For residential properties, the fixed term is usually 6 or 12 months. We look to fix all our tenancies over the Christmas period, then renew for a 12 month period. The idea is to keep your property let over Christmas ensuring the highest possible rent, the best possible tenant, and the lowest vacancy period.

Do you guarantee the tenant?

We can never guarantee the performance of the tenant of your property. We can only use our professional skills and experience to verify that the tenant can afford to pay the rent and to form an opinion on whether the tenant will maintain the property to an acceptable standard. Obviously we can't accommodate for loss of job, divorce or death.

As the paying of rent and maintenance of the property is purely voluntary on the tenant's part, we cannot guarantee any tenancy outcome. This is a landlord risk that comes with owning an investment property. We recommend that you take out landlord protection insurance if the risk greatly concerns you.

What tenancy documentation is required?

All tenancies are subject to the Residential Tenancies Act.

The tenancy documentation includes:

• Tenancy Agreement
• Condition Report
• Ingoing photos
• Bond to be lodged online or Bond Lodgement Form
• Smoke alarm, breaking lease early and pool information
• Record of keys in possession of tenant

Who signs the tenancy documentation?

It's best practice for our professional staff to sign on your behalf, so we can ensure that all tenants are fully aware of our strict policies, and that we cover any special conditions given. You will receive a copy of the lease signed on your behalf.

Can I give you some special conditions?

Yes. You may give us special instructions in relation to the property and the way it is managed, provided the instructions are lawful. These special instructions will need to be either specified in the Management Agreement or provided in writing to us.

If I allow a pet at my property, what expectations will be given to the tenant regarding the pet?

If a pet is permitted we will provide the tenant with strict written conditions. The major conditions include:

• The pet may not come inside the house.
• The pet must be removed from the property if it becomes annoying or bothersome to neighbour's (after reasonable warning has been given in writing).
• The tenant must be responsible for any damage caused by their pet, and clean up any mess left by the pet.
• The carpets must be professionally cleaned or the property professionally fumigated at the end of tenancy.

If the tenant has a pet can I ask for an extra bond (pet bond)?

Unfortunately no. Charging a bond in excess of the tenant's normal rental bond is illegal in Australia.

What happens when the tenancy agreement expires?

The Agreement continues on a continuation basis. Each party will then be required to give the following notice period to terminate the Agreement:

Tenant: 21 days

Owner: 90 days

It is not necessary to renew a Tenancy Agreement when the fixed term period ends. In fact, in Australia while we can request that a tenant renew their Tenancy Agreement for a further fixed term, we cannot insist that they do so. Any renewal agreement must be mutually agreed between the parties.

What keys must be supplied to the tenants?

All tenants listed on the Tenancy Agreement are given a full set of keys. This includes keys to all external doors, windows, garage or letterbox locks. We retain a full master set of keys at the office. This may necessitate having keys cut at your expense.

How secure must the property be?

The law requires that an owner must provide and maintain locks and other security devices in order for the property to be "reasonably secure". It is recommended that key operated deadlocks be fitted to all external doors and windows.

What if the tenants want the locks changed?

If the tenants wishes to alter the existing locks or add other security devices to make the property more secure, the tenant must obtain the owner's prior consent and pay all costs. The tenant must provide the owner/agent with a copy of any new keys.

What about smoke alarms, light bulbs and tap washers?

From 1 July 2016 it is compulsory under the Residential Tenancy Act to have working smoke alarms in residential rental properties. There must be a minimum of one working smoke alarm within 3 metres of each bedroom door. The landlord is responsible for making sure smoke alarms are in working order at the beginning of every new tenancy. The tenant is responsible for replacing batteries (if required) during their tenancy.

• At the start of the tenancy, all light bulbs should be at the property and in working order.
• During the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for replacing any smoke alarm batteries.
• We are not legally qualified to check the functionality and suitability of smoke alarms and, as such, recommend the use of qualified professionals for that purpose.

Who pays for water usage?

If there is no individual meter for the rented premises, as in the case of blocks or older style units, a tenant cannot be charged for water usage. However, the tenant is responsible for any cost of water used during the tenancy if the property has an individual water meter and has legally prescribed water efficiency devices.

Please note water service and sewer service charge can not be passed onto tenants! We do recommend that, and for the most part have, properties where water usage is included "within the rental amount" – adjusting the rental figure to reflect this.

Who is responsible for mowing lawns and maintaining gardens, also who is responsible for cleaning gutters?

Unless otherwise agreed, the tenant is responsible for maintaining the lawns and gardens to the standard they were given at the start of the tenancy.

• Any major trims, hedges and trees – are the owner's responsibility.
• If the property is provided with watering systems these need to be working and kept maintained during the tenancy.
• It is the owner's responsibility to clear the gutters.

Can I inspect the property whenever I like?

You can, however, the tenant needs to be given between 48 hours' and 14 days' notice. If the tenant withholds consent we must arrange a time that suits better and, of course, provide written permission for this to occur.

How can I terminate the tenancy?

There are 4 main ways that a tenancy can be terminated:

• To end the tenancy when the fixed term of the agreement is due to expire, either party can give at least 30 days' notice.
• To end a tenancy after the fixed term has expired (i.e. with a continuing tenancy).
• A tenant is required to give at least 21 days' notice and the owner must give at least 90 days' notice to terminate the agreement any time after the fixed term has ended.

To end a tenancy due to a breach:

A 14 day termination notice may be given at anytime if either party breaches a term of the agreement, or if the tenant is more than 14 days in arrears of rent. If the owner or the owner's immediate family or employee wants to occupy the property then the owner can provide 42 days written notice to occupy the property if the tenancy is of a periodic nature.

Can a tenant break their tenancy agreement?

Residential Tenancy Agreements are legally binding contracts. However, if a tenant wishes to break the Agreement and vacate the property before the fixed term expires, the tenant is responsible for the following:

Rent until the date a new tenant takes over the property, or until the fixed term expires (whichever happens first) any agreed advertising costs. It is important to note that the owner/agent must make reasonable efforts to minimise any potential losses the tenant may suffer in this situation.

Or

The tenant can a break fee cost of 6 weeks rent in the first 6 months of their agreement or 4 weeks rent in the second 6 months of their agreement.

Who pays for damage by the tenant?

The question of what constitutes "damage" and what is considered acceptable "wear and tear" is always an issue in property management. In cases of damage to a property attributable to a tenant that is not considered normal wear and tear, normally the bond will provide sufficient protection to remedy the damage. If not, the owner can take action in the Tribunal against the tenant. Also, landlord protection insurance can cover this type of situation.

What do I do if I misplace a rental statement?

On our website under the Landlord tab you can log in to Property Me using your Landlord login user name and password to locate and reprint rental statements. As a landlord you have 24/7 access to Property Me which is a live portal.

Alternatively, you can make contact with [email protected] who can arrange for a replacement statement to be sent to you.

What happens to any mail addressed to me that comes to the property? We ask the tenants to forward to us any mail addressed to you, however, they are not always as diligent with this as we would like. It is strongly recommended that you request Australia Post to redirect your mail to you.

If I want to sell my property, can ONEAGENCY COASTWIDE help me?

For information on how we can help you sell your property or assist you in buying another property, contact us today.

Adele Andrews 0439 663 066

Jill McFadden 0421 621 836

Marcus Bramham 0439 488 736