TIPS FOR TENANTS

Oxley’s Real Estate Management Team has developed the following information and advice as a general guide to you during your tenancy.  The information is designed to ensure that you better understand what is needed to ensure a trouble free and enjoyable tenancy. We are committed to servicing the needs of our clients and work constantly to further improve our high level of service.

Oxley’s Real Estate Office Hours

The Property Management Team can be contacted five days a week  Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm.  Generally, contact can also be made with the office on Saturday mornings 9.00am – 12md.   In the event of an emergency, please contact Garry Shaw on 0409 394 249.

Rental Payments

Under the terms of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, rent is payable on time.  If at any time, you are unable to make a rental payment, please make immediate contact with a member of the Property Management Team.  If we do not receive your rental payment and you have not advised us that you are experiencing a problem in meeting that payment, we may initiate action under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act.  The process under the Act includes the issue of a Termination Notice then proceeding to a hearing to gain possession of the property and all rent due.
We cannot stress strongly enough that communication is the key component in this situation.  Late payment of rent may have a significant impact upon the responsibilities of the landlord of the property who often rely on the rent meet their mortgage payments and other financial obligations.
We strongly suggest that you make arrangements for rental payments be made by direct debit into our trust account as this minimises the opportunity for late payments.

Condition Report

At the commencement of your tenancy, a copy of the ingoing inspection is provided to you.  This document is very important as it confirms the condition of the property from the outset of the lease and is used as the primary comparative document when you vacate the property. Any variation, with the exception of fair wear and tear, will be your responsibility to reinstate/repair.
Please go through the condition report thoroughly and make any additional comments you feel necessary to accurately establish the condition of the property at the commencement of the lease.  It is in your own best interest to ensure this process is undertaken accurately and comprehensively.
Please return the amended and signed condition report to our office within 7 days from the commencement of your tenancy.  At that time, you will be provided with a copy and the original retained in this office for future reference purposes.
Rental Bond
Your bond will be lodged with the NSW Department of Fair Trading and is held as security against any damage or undue wear and tear to the property.  Your bond will be refunded to you promptly after the property is fully vacated and the keys returned.  The amount of refund will be dependent upon factors including the condition of the property (excluding fair wear and tear), any unpaid rent and/or other outstanding charges.  
You will receive written confirmation from the Department of Fair Trading upon lodgement of the bond and be provided with a bond reference number.

Periodic Inspections

During the course of your tenancy and by arrangement with you, we will periodically inspect the property.  You will be given prior notice of pending inspections to ensure the time is mutually convenient.  The purpose of these inspections is twofold – to advise the landlord of the condition of the property and the manner in which you are maintaining it and to allow you to advise us of any repairs or maintenance you identify.

Keys

Oxley’s Real Estate retains a duplicate copy of the keys to the premises for emergency access.  We suggest that you make arrangements for a spare key to be held by a responsible person should you inadvertently lock yourself out.  Only in special circumstances will the duplicate key held in this office be borrowed for you to gain access.  Any cost associated with gaining access through the use of a locksmith will be your responsibility.
NOTE:Locks can only be changed after you have obtained permission from us or the landlord and then, on the understanding, that you supply us with a fully set of any key which has been replaced.  Remember, it is your best interest to ensure that we have access in the event of an emergency situation.

Insurance

The landlord’s insurance cover on the property you have leased does not extend to cover your belongings.  We strongly suggest that you take out separate comprehensive insurance to cover your possessions for loss in case of fire, theft and other perils.
In the event that you or another occupier or a visitor to the property accidently damage the property and there is an insurance claim, you will be required to pay any excess that may apply to the landlord’s insurance cover.

Electricity, Gas, Television and Telephone

We advise tenants to connect all utilities through the provider of their choice at the commencement of the tenancy. ‘
NOTE:    The availability of telephone lines, internet services, analogue, digital or cable television (and the adequacy of such services) are the sole responsibility of the tenant and you should make your own enquiries as to the availability and adequacy of those services before accepting the tenancy of the property.  The landlord does not warrant that any telephone plugs, antenna sockets or other such service points located in the property are serviceable, or will otherwise meet the requirements of the tenant.  You must rely on your own inquiries in respect of these services.

Repairs and Maintenance

All requests for repairs need to be reported in writing to our office as promptly as possible.  Please note that all requests for repairs should be made in writing.  To make this process easier and more efficient, we require you to complete a Repairs Request Form.  The form is available to be downloaded from this site, or alternately, a copy of the form is available from the office.  
Upon receipt of a Repairs Request Form, action will be taken to have all repairs actioned as promptly as possible.  However, in some instances it may be necessary to obtain the landlord’s approval for the work to be carried out or for quotes to be obtained before any work commences.  On these occasions, there may be an unavoidable delay.  If confirmed, arrangements regarding access for the trades people are not kept by you, any service charge for call will be automatically passed on to you for payment.  
In most cases, and unless your tenancy agreements specifically state otherwise, responsibility for the maintenance of the garden and grounds rests with you for the term of the tenancy.
NOTE:    In the event of an emergency repair being required outside office hours, you should contact Garry Shaw on 0409 394 249

Sub-Letting

Your tenancy agreement provides for only the people listed on your Residential Tenancy Agreement to occupy the property.  If there is any change in the original people nominated on the Agreement or additional occupants, you must immediately notify us.

Lease Renewal

Request for lease renewal must be put in writing.  It is subject to the landlord’s approval and will carry a fee of $15.00.

Termination of the Tenancy Agreement

Your tenancy agreement is a legal and binding contract between you and your landlord.  You can only terminate this agreement in one of the following ways:
1.If you intend to vacate at the end of your tenancy agreement, you are required to give 14 days written notice to Oxley's Real Estate prior to the expiry of your agreement.
2.Once the fixed term has expired you are at liberty to continue living at the property or to vacate.  If you intend to vacate written notice must be given to Oxley’s Real Estate at least 21 days prior to your vacating date