Tenant Services

Ray White Newtown knows the value of having excellent tenants, so we try to make dealing with our company as simple and easy as it can be, so the good tenants stay renting from us!

Tenant of the month award

Each month, awarded to a valued tenant who is recognised for maintaining the property in very good condition and paying rent on time and in advance. The award also comes with a small gift of appreciation.

The Tenancy Agreement

A Residential Tenancy Agreement allows a tenant to take ‘possession’ of a property for a limited period of time on certain conditions, including the payment of rent. The Residential Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding contract whereby both parties agree to abide by the conditions set out in the agreement.

When you sign the Residential Tenancy Agreement you will receive a copy so that you have a record of each party’s rights and responsibilities.

Utilities

It is your responsibility to have all the services at the property connected and placed in your name.
Contact numbers the main utility companies are:
Energy Australia (Electricity) T: 131 535
AGL (Gas) T: 131 245
Telstra (Telephone) T: 132 200

Entry Costs

When approved for a rental property, you will be required to pay an entry cost of Bond (4 weeks unfurnished property and 6 weeks+ furnished property)

Rent in advance (2 weeks if paid fortnightly and 1 month if paid calendar monthly.

Lease preparation fee of $15

Your Rental Bond will be lodged with the NSW Office of Fair Trading and is held as security against any unpaid rent or damage to the property. Upon lodgement you will receive written confirmation from the Department of Fair Trading providing you with a Rental Bond Registration Number.

Your Rental Bond will be refunded to you soon after you vacate the property, provided all rent has been paid and no monies owing for cleaning or repairs.

Condition of premises

Two copies of the Property Condition Report are provided to you upon the commencement of the tenancy. This report is very important as it outlines the condition of the property at the commencement of your tenancy.

When you have vacated the property the condition at that time is compared to the condition at commencement and any variation (fair wear and tear excepted) will be your responsibility to reinstate.

Please review the Property Condition Report thoroughly making any additional comments you feel are necessary to accurately establish the condition of the property. It is in your best interests to ensure that it is a comprehensive and accurate description of the property’s current condition.

When you have completed the Report, please sign and return it within the first 7 days of your tenancy, retaining the blue copy for your records.

If a signed copy is not returned to this agency and a dispute arises at the end of your tenancy, the condition of the property will most likely be assessed as that indicated on the Report completed by this office.

Inspections during your tenancy

During the course of your tenancy, your Property Manager will inspect your property periodically. You will be provided, provided at lease 7 days notice.
The purpose of these inspections is to advise the owner of the condition of the property, how it is being maintained and to allow you to advise us of any repairs or maintenance you feel are needed.

Lock and keys

Our office retains a duplicate key to most of our properties for emergency access.

Unfortunately, locks can only be changed, added to or altered after you have obtained permission from your Property Manager, and you would then need to supply us with any new keys.

Payment of Rental

Your rent must be paid in advance at all times.

Our rent card system “Advantage Card” allows you to pay through many different methods for your convenience. This includes automated direct debit, b-pay, and phone and internet initiation.

Repairs & Emergency Repairs

All requests for repairs and maintenance are to be provided to your Property Manager in writing.
In the event of an urgent repair required outside office hours, and your Property Manager is uncontactable, arrangement for repairs can be made directly with the trades people listed on the front page of your Residential Tenancy Agreement. For a description of “urgent repairs” please refer to your tenancy agreement.

Termination

Giving notice to vacate a property must be provided in writing to your Property Manager (Unfortunately we cannot receive Vacating Notices by email as they are not legally acceptable).It is also recommended that you follow up to confirm receipt of your notice. Shortly after receiving your notice you will receive a letter in the mail confirming the vacating procedure and amount owing in rent to your vacate date.

Notice periods are as follows;
If you intend to vacate at the end of your Tenancy Agreement you are required to give 14 days written notice to us, prior to the expiry of your agreement. Once the fixed term of your Tenancy Agreement has expired you must give us at least 21 days written notice in advance.

Breaking the Tenancy Agreement Early
If any unforeseen circumstances arise and you have to vacate the property prior to the expiration of your Tenancy Agreement, please contact your Property Manager immediately for details on the procedure and fees associated.

Insurance

Unfortunately, the owner’s insurance cover on the property does not extend to cover your belongings. On this basis, we strongly suggest that you take out comprehensive contents insurance to cover your belongings against fire, theft and other perils

In the event that you, another occupier, or visitor accidentally damages the property and rectification work is required, you may be required to pay any excess that may apply to the owner’s insurance cover.