Information For Tenants

Condition Report

The Condition Report is a document received at the commencement of the tenancy and is as important as the Tenancy Agreement.

This report states what condition various items are in at the start - “good”, “fair” or “poor”. The Condition Report is evidence that can be used if there is a disagreement later about who is responsible for cleaning or damage.

What to Do When You Receive the Condition Report…

It is important to spend time checking the report as it will be used to ascertain the condition of the premises when you vacate.

If you feel that something has been omitted from the report or an amendment needs to be made, please add this in where it states “start”. It is advisable to check the report ‘room by room’.

Returning the Condition Report…

Once you are satisfied that everything has been noted, all tenants must sign where indicated on the front of the report.

The report must be returned within three (3) business days of receiving it. Please return the original and retain the copy for your records.

As per Item 37 of your Tenancy Agreement, if the Condition Report is not returned, the copy held by our office will be accepted as conclusive evidence of the state of repair or general condition of the rented premises, as at the commencement of this tenancy.

Maintenance…

Please note:           The Condition Report states the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy and is NOT A REQUEST FOR MAINTENANCE TO BE CARRIED OUT.

Maintenance Requests must be put to your Property Manager IN WRITING –

“Maintenance Request” forms can be downloaded from the website, collected from our office or sent via facsimile.

You may also email your Property Manager.

Connection of Services

As the TENANT of the property, it is your responsibility to arrange connection of all utilities: gas, electricity and telephone. The following telephone numbers will assist you with this:

Telephone: Telstra – 132 200; Optus – 133 937

Electricity: AGL – 133 000; Origin – 132 114; TXU – 132 082; United Energy – 1300 131 689

Gas: Origin energy – 132 461; TXU – 132 082; United Energy – 1300 131 689

Note: One Property Consulting & Estate Agents will register your details with the relevant water company at the beginning of your tenancy. Should you need to contact the water company please find details below.

Water: City West Water – 131 971; South East Water – 131 851; Yarra Valley Water – 131 721

Garden Maintenance

If you are leasing a property with a garden, under the terms of the lease it is YOUR responsibility to maintain it. This means regularly mowing the grass, weeding garden beds, removing rubbish, tending to plants and watering (in accordance with any Water Restrictions that may be in place).

We understand that not all of us are born with a “green thumb” and so suggest that you may wish to employ the services of a professional gardener if gardening is not for you. For a very small cost, fortnightly or monthly visits can be arranged.

What Are My Options For Ending A Tenancy Early?

Option 1 – If there are more than one tenant occupying the premises, a tenant continues on at the property on their own or finds another person to move into the property. Any new tenant would need to fill in an application form and be approved by the owner before moving in. Approval cannot be withheld by the owner unless there is something substantial that comes to light in the checking of the application.

There is a $75 admin fee charged by our office to process the applications and prepare all the transfer documentation.

Option 2 - Both or all tenants move out of the property and find other people to transfer onto the tenancy. Any new tenant would need to fill in an application form and be approved by the owner before moving in. Approval cannot be withheld by the owner unless there is something substantial that comes to light in the checking of the application.

The new tenants must be aware that they are taking over an existing tenancy; therefore they are to take on the terms and conditions of the existing tenancy and accept the condition report as it was at the beginning of the tenancy. No new leases or condition reports are prepared.

There is a $75 admin fee charged by our office to process the applications and prepare all the transfer documentation.

Option 3 - Breaking the Lease - In the event that the tenants vacate and end this tenancy early, a lease break takes place. Please refer to Section 45 of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, which states that the following fees are to be paid:

- rent until a new tenant moves in or the end of the lease; whichever occurs first

- all advertising costs (internet advertising is $110 incl GST, plus any other forms of advertising you wish to use)

- a letting fee equivalent to 2 weeks rent + GST is payable to our office (we will conduct inspections, process applications, conduct a final inspection once you vacate and prepare all documentation for a new tenancy such as leases, condition report etc.)