FQA
- Q. If there are two of us applying for a rental property, do we both have to complete a tenancy application?
- Q. Who appears on the Tenancy Agreement?
- Q. How much bond will I need to pay?
- Q. How do we pay our rental payments?
- Q. What is a condition report?
- Q. Will I need to get my own contents insurance?
- Q. Who organises the electricity, phone or gas?
- Q. What do I do if I need to report a maintenance issue?
- Q. What should I do if emergency repairs are required?
- Q. Who pays for excess water?
- Q. What are the tenant responsibilities?
- Q. Do I need to look after the lawns and gardens?
- Q. How often are routine inspections done?
- Q. What should I do when I lose my keys?
- Q. During my tenancy, I was advised that the property is now for sale – do I need to move straight away?
- Q. What should I do if I need to vacate the property?
Q. If there are two of us applying for a rental property, do we both have to complete a tenancy application?
An application must be completed by each person over the age of 18 years who will be residing on the premises. Please note that there are minimum requirements for identification checks.
You must also ensure that the privacy disclaimer is signed; otherwise we have no authorisation to process your application.
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Q. Who appears on the Tenancy Agreement?
The Residential Tenancies Act of Queensland requires all tenants to be on a written agreement between the tenant/s and landlord/agent.
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Q. How much bond will I need to pay?
A bond equivalent to 4 weeks rent must be paid prior to taking occupancy of the property (please be aware that should the rent be in excess of $500 per week, the law states that there is no limit on how much bond can be charged).
The purpose of a bond is to provide security to the landlord in the event the rent falls behind or damage is caused to the property. Although bond monies are initially paid to our office, please note that they are then disbursed and held with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) until the tenancy is finalised as required under the law.
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Q. How do we pay our rental payments?
Our payment system is designed to be as convenient as possible in order to help you meet your rental obligations.
Whether you work full time, weekends or shift work, we have made our options flexible enough for you to be able to pay your rent in whatever manner most suits you!
Please ensure that whichever option you choose, you attach your unique reference to the payment, otherwise we are unable to trace to whom the payment belongs.
Your property manager will issue you with your reference when you are approved for a rental property. We currently offer 2 choices of rental payment:
- In Person at any Suncorp branch. To find your nearest Suncorp branch visit www.suncorp.com.au
- Internet - If your bank has an internet transfer facility, you can pay your rent online, 24 hours-a-day. Again, some banks can take up to two (2) business days to process payments, so check with your bank first to ensure that your payment is not received late.
Rental payments must be paid two weeks in advance, beginning at the commencement of the tenancy and must remain up to date/in advance throughout the term of the agreement. You cannot pay your rent in arrears. If you are having difficulty in paying your rent, always contact us to discuss.
If you become 4 days in arrears, we will issue a reminder letter.
After 7 days in arrears, we are obliged by law to issue a Notice to Remedy Breach, giving you 7 days to bring your rent back up to date. Should the breach not be remedied within the 7 days, then a Notice to Leave is issued, giving you 7 days to vacate the premises.
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Q. What is a condition report?
This is a very important form provided to you when you move in.
It has to be filled out by the tenant and agent so that both agree to the condition of the property at the beginning of the lease.
Please return to us within three (3) days of moving in. At the time of vacating, you will be required to complete an exit condition report that will be compared with the ingoing condition report.
Failure to sign and return your entry condition report may result in dispute resolution at the conclusion of your tenancy.
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Q. Will I need to get my own contents insurance?
Please be aware that the Lessor’s property insurance does not cover your personal belongings and it is in your best interest to obtain contents insurance in case of damage or theft.
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Q. Who organises the electricity, phone or gas?
It is your responsibility to have electricity, gas and telephone connected in your name when you move in and to have the account finalised and disconnected when you vacate.
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Q. What do I do if I need to report a maintenance issue?
We ask that you report, by completing our Maintenance Request Form, any matters requiring repair or maintenance immediately to avoid the risk of injury to visitors or damage to the rented property.
You should receive a phone call from the applicable tradesperson to arrange a time to attend to the issue. If you have no contact within 5 working days, please advise the office.
Any maintenance repair arranged for by the tenant outside our normal business hours will be at the tenants cost, unless it is proven to be an emergency.
Q. What should I do if emergency repairs are required?
Emergency repairs include such situations as blocked or broken toilet; serious roof leak; fault/ damage likely to cause injury and electrical shock/ faults.
Phone 07 3249 6999 to report these type of situations immediately.
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Q. Who pays for excess water?
As per your Tenancy Agreement, tenants are responsible for payment of excess water usage at the property.
Any use over 87.5 kilolitres per quarter is considered excess water usage. Please note that due to the ongoing drought conditions in South East Queensland, water restrictions are in place.
Also note some properties are water-wise so you could be responsible for the full cost of water.
If this is the case you will be advise upon your tenancy application and it will also be on your Tenancy Agreement.
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Q. What are the tenant responsibilities?
At all time the property must be kept clean and tidy.
Any damage to the property remains the responsibility of the tenants, whether caused by the tenants themselves or their visitors.
Any damage must be reported to the office as soon as possible so repairs and payment can be discussed. Rubbish must be placed in the proper council bins as provided.
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Q. Do I need to look after the lawns and gardens?
You are responsible for the lawns and gardens unless specified in writing beforehand. This means watering, weeding, trimming and mowing.
Please be aware that if vehicles are being parked on grassed areas, the lawn is to be bought back to original condition by the end of the tenancy.
This can be very costly, so please keep this in mind when parking on grassed areas not designated for parking.
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Q. How often are routine inspections done?
We carry out routine inspections on all our properties every 3 - 4 months and will advise you in writing prior.
This is always a good opportunity to point out any maintenance problems or other concerns you may have.
A written report is forwarded to the landlord following this. If you cannot be present at the time of the inspection, we will access the property with our spare keys.
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Q. What should I do when I lose my keys?
We usually have an additional spare set of keys for each rental property in the office.
Should you lose your keys or lock yourself out of the property, contact our office and we can arrange for another set to be made at your expense.
After hours our recommended locksmith can be contacted at your cost (Emergency Maintenance).
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Q. During my tenancy, I was advised that the property is now for sale – do I need to move straight away?
If, during your tenancy, the property is placed on the market for sale, your legal right will be protected.
Inspections to view the property with potential buyers will always be in writing, allowing a minimum 24 hours clear notice of each inspection.
You cannot be requested to leave at a moments’ notice. If you are on a fixed term lease, you have the right to remain in the property until the end of that lease term unless you and the lessor agree otherwise.
If you are on a periodic arrangement, the lessor must give you two (2) months notice to vacate the property, unless the property has been placed under contract, in which case you will have one (1) month to vacate.
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Q. What should I do if I need to vacate the property?
A Tenancy Agreement is a legal binding document providing security to both the tenant and the landlord.
If you intend to vacate the property on the date listed on your Tenancy Agreement, please complete the Vacating Notice Form and ensure your property manager receives it at least two (2) weeks prior to the date you intend to leave.
Should your circumstances deem it necessary to terminate your lease before the lease expiry date (commonly known as ‘breaking your lease’), please contact your property manager as soon as possible for information on costs and obligations associated with breaking your lease.
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