Tenant Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do before I look for a place?
What happens to the bond money I pay the landlord?
What happens if I sign a lease?
What does a lease involve?
What items am I responsible for?
When do need to return the ingoing condition report?
Can I change locks?
What about water consumption?
How can I arrange repairs?
Why do I need to complete a tenancy application form?
What costs can you expect when renting?
Do I get a copy of my lease agreement?
What should I consider when sharing a home?
What do I need to do when I decide to move out?

 

What should I do before I look for a place?

Find out what your obligations are and what your rights are as a tenant. This means you will avoid problems for yourself in the future when you need to negotiate something with your landlord such as when you want to move out. Come into the Housing Service, talk to the Housing Service staff and pick up a 'Renting Guide'. This is produced by the Department of Fair Trading and outlines the things you should do before you move into a place.

What happens to the bond money I pay the landlord?

All bond money paid in New South Wales must be lodged with the Rental Bond Board (RBB). The RBB holds the bond until you move out and then they decide if you get it all back or if the landlord has sufficient grounds (eg. unpaid rent or damage to the premises) for claiming some or all of your bond. You should get a receipt from the RBB within seven days of paying it to your landlord.

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What happens if I sign a lease?

When you sign a lease for a fixed period you obligate yourself to pay rent for the entire period of the lease (now known as a Tenancy Agreement). The Agreement can only contain clauses that are allowed by the Residential Tenancies Act, ie. the requirements of the Tenancy Agreement must be lawful. Ask the Housing Service staff for a copy of a standard Tenancy Agreement and check out what can and can't be included.
Be prepared before applying for a rental property - It's important to work out what you can afford, set your limits and stick to them. The average Australian renter spends no more than one-third of his or her monthly salary on rent. As you will be required to provide evidence that you can pay the rent and look after the property it is advisable to have some written references as well as reliable contacts with email addresses and telephone numbers that will support your application.

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What does a lease involve?

The majority of leases for rental accommodation are 6 or 12-month terms. If you are requiring a shorter time frame of 3 months it is best to ask the agent before viewing the property. It is important that you read the lease and all other documentation very carefully before signing. You may not want to read all that fine print, but it is in your best interests to do so. Because once you've signed the lease, you're bound to everything in it.

You'll need to pay a bond (normally equivalent to four week's rent) and two or more weeks rent in advance when you sign the lease. There may be extra costs associated with the letting of the premises depending on the legislative requirements in that State (In Western Australia the tenant is required to pay one week's letting fee). The bond is lodged with an independent government body and is held by them, until you move out. It may be used to cover any cleaning services and/or damage to the property. The bond must not be used for rent, as rent is to be paid up to date at the time of vacating.

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What items am I responsible for?

Other things you may need to consider are contents insurance. You need to insure your personal belongings, as you are not covered under the owner's insurance. If you have not taken possession of your own furniture, then there are companies that the agent can recommend to you that will hire out complete households or small amounts depending on your needs.

You also need to contact the appropriate utility companies to connect power, gas and phone in your name. Speak with your property manager to see if they can assist you in this area, as many of our offices are using companies that will connect the utilities for you at no charge.

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Returning your ingoing condition report

When you move in to a rental property for the first time, a report of all inclusions and damage to the property is conducted called a ‘Ingoing Condition Report’.

This report is conducted in duplicate and a copy is provided to you when you sign your lease agreement and move in.

In order to confirm the accuracy of the report and to note any comments that you may have of the properties condition you must complete the report as well.

You are provided with seven (7) days to complete the report, sign it and return it to Fusion Realty.

If you fail to return the Ingoing Condition Report, Fusion Realty will assume that you agree with all the remarks already described on the copy issued to you.

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Changing locks

You Must have Approval to change locks. Under no circumstances should the Tenant change the locks to the property without the express approval of the Fusion Realty and the owner of the property.

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Water consumption

As Tenants of property where water usage is separately metered, you are required to pay ‘water usage’. An account will be sent to you by Fusion Realty noting the amount of water you have consumed over the quarter. You are required to pay this amount in addition to your normal rental payments. It is due and payable within fourteen (14) days of receiving the account. Properties that typically have separate water meters include houses, townhouses, villas and new units.

Vacating water usage:

As Water Accounts are issued by Sydney Water on a quarterly basis, a water meter reading will be taken by Manage Australia upon your vacation so that you are only billed the appropriate pro-rata water consumption and not the entire quarter.

This method is to protect Tenants that may vacate a property during the billing period of Sydney Water so that you are not charged the entire quarter when you may not have been living there.

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How can I arrange repairs

Go to repair request form(s) choose your type of repair, enter your details and repair information and submit it.
Your request details will be forward to both Fusion Realty and the relevant tradesperson for the job. You will also be given the tradesperson's details so you can properly arrange entry into your premises.

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Why do I need to complete a tenancy application form?

A landlord's point of view!

If somebody came and knocked on the door to your home, would you give them the keys to your car? Not surprisingly, you probably wouldn't. So why would a landlord hand over the keys to $300,000+ investment property on just that scenario.

We will provide you with an application form, which must be completed and signed before a tenancy can begin. We will seek to verify the following information:

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What costs can you expect when renting?

Being a tenant can get expensive, and not just because of the rent. Here are some other potential costs to consider.

At the beginning of a tenancy - budget for:

During a tenancy - budget for:

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Do I get a copy of my lease agreement?

We will provide you with a manila folder or similar, and put in it: your copy of the Tenancy Agreement; rent receipt; Bond receipt, copies of letters about payment options and repair request forms.

What should I consider when sharing a home?

If you are moving into a share house, consider drawing up a written agreement between the tenants that clarifies potential issues - think about bills (payment, proportions), moving out (notice, advertising), cleaning, visitors, and use of common areas. Have everyone sign this agreement and pin up a copy where everyone can see it (e.g. on the fridge).

What do I need to do when I decide to move out?

Visit our vacating page for more information.

 

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Other Tenant services/information:

Properties for lease
Organise Household Utilities
Internet Banking
Repairs
Strata
Vacating