Life as a Tenant
As a tenant you have a responsibility to the property and the landlord. While we hope that you’ll make yourself a home there are a few things to be aware of,
- If you wish to have a second phone line installed, put up picture hooks, have Foxtel connected or make any other alterations to the property, you need to make your request in writing to the property manager.
- If there are lawns and/or gardens at the property, you need to water the plants and grass, as well as ensure the grounds are maintained.
- Routine inspections of the property will be carried out by a representative of Leah Jay and/or the owner. You will be given seven days written notice of all inspections. Should the time suggested not be suitable, please contact your property manager and we will do our best to accommodate you.
- If you are leasing a strata title unit, you are required to obey the by-laws accordingly. Please refer to the by-laws attached to your lease agreement. If you require an additional copy please contact your property manager.
Water Usage
- Please check the front page of your lease agreement to determine whether you will be charged for water usage. If not stated please contact you property manager.
- Water usage is calculated using water meter readings, which can only be done if the house, townhouse, unit or apartment is separately metered.
- You will be invoiced by Leah Jay for payment of water usage within 3 months of the owner receiving the bill. Payment must be made to Leah Jay (NOT Hunter Water) within 21 days.
- If your water usage has dramatically increased or decreased since you last bill please contact your property manager as there may be a leak or the meter may have broken.
Locked out?
- During business hours you can collect a set of keys from our office. You will need to provide photo identification and you must be on the lease. You will be required to return them before the end of business that same day.
- Out of office hours, we will where possible (for a fee) access the office and provide you with a set of keys. In this case, you will be required to return them during the next business day.
- If you need access to the property after hours please contact the office, as the emergency contact details of a locksmith are on the answering machine. Please be aware that you are responsible for all costs associated.
Please note: if you lose keys at any time during your tenancy you are responsible for the cost and organisation of getting a new set of keys cut.
In case of an emergency…
- Your first call should always be to your property manager. Please call the office. If your property manager is not in make sure to tell whoever you speak to the nature of the situation. We will ensure the situation is dealt with as promptly as possible.
- In the case of an after-hours emergency, plumbing electrical or otherwise please refer to the front page of your lease agreement for contact details. Alternatively, please contact the office, as the emergency contact details are on the answering machine.
Sharing
- We recommend that you nominate one person to be responsible for paying the rent and water usage.
- It is our experience that when sharing tenants pay their portion of the rent direct to us, problems invariably occur.
- You should be aware that all tenants are jointly and separately responsible for any debt of the tenancy, in other words, we do not distinguish between your individual payments.
- Should any of the tenants residing at the property change during the tenancy you will need to fill out a Change of Shared Tenancy form.
When an owner requires vacant possession…
If the owner wishes to end the tenancy, the following applies:
- If your lease is about to expire the owner is required to give you thirty (30) days written notice. (Please note: this can be issued on the last day of the tenancy agreement)
- If your lease agreement has expired the owner is required to give you ninety (90) days written notice
- If the property has sold and the lease agreement has expired the owner may terminate the agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice, on the exchange of contracts for sale.
