So you have decided to rent for the first time and have found a property you want rent but what happens next? Here is a summary of what you need to know before you sign your first residential tenancy agreement.
Many first-time tenants worry that because they cannot prove a rental history, they will not be able to rent a property – leading to a catch-22-type situation. Fortunately, every tenant has been a first-time renter at some point and there are a number of things you can do to strengthen your application.
A property manager will be mainly concerned with an applicant’s ability to pay the rent, as well as their ability to take care of the property and comply with the terms and conditions of the lease.
The information you should supply will vary depending on your previous circumstances – for example, if you were previously living in student accommodation, you may wish to provide the details of the person who was in charge of managing the complex.
If you previously owned your own home and have sold the property, the agent who handled the sale may be able to act as a reference for you.
And if you are currently living with your parents, you will require personal references. In some situations, you may also choose to have a parent co-sign your lease with you.
Examples of documentation you can provide that will help a property manager make these decisions include:
Talk to the property manager about what is required to apply for the lease.
The documentation required to be given to you at the time of sign-up differs slightly from state to state, however, the following items are required in most jurisdictions:
A residential tenancy agreement is a legal binding written contract between you, as a tenant or resident and a property landlord, is also commonly called a lease. This document should be given to the tenant before paying any money or being committed to the tenancy. Make sure you read it carefully and ask any questions.
What goes into the Tenancy Agreement?
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.
As the bond is a separate payment to the rent you cannot use any part of the bond as rent – so, when you are moving out, you cannot ask the landlord to keep your bond as final rent payment.
When you pay a bond, the landlord or owner must prepare a condition report. This includes a general condition of the property including fittings and fixtures. It is important that you carefully check the condition report and make sure it includes all existing damage or issues with the property. We suggest taking photos of the property before you move in and provide a copy of these photos to your agent / landlord as record of the properties original condition.
Legislation allows tenants a number of days to check the details completed by the agent/owner on the condition report, to confirm or disagree with those details. As the condition report can be used as evidence if there is a dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage or replacement of missing items at the end of the agreement – make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Areas where the tenant does not agree with what is stated on the condition report should be noted on the appropriate section of the document. You must complete the inspection report and return it to the agent/owner within the specified number of days or the condition of the property is deemed to be accurate as at the agent’s completion. If you do need additional assistance, help is also available from various bodies, depending on the state or territory you live in.
Make sure both you and the landlord agree on the contents of the condition report before signing it.
Your landlord or real estate agent may carry out a periodic inspection of the property to ensure it is being well cared for and any routine repairs are made. This inspection may include checking the following:
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