Tenants

Your Guide To A Smooth Tenancy

Welcome to Rentals SA and welcome to your new home. The information below and on the other pages within the tenants section of this website, will assist you through many things that may arise during your tenancy, we recommend that you read through this information thoroughly.

Contacting Your Property Manager

Upon signing your tenancy agreement you will be assigned a property manager who will be your point of contact during your tenancy. Wherever possible, it is requested that you contact your property manager through one of our online forms or via email depending on the nature of your enquiry.

Rental Bond

Your rental bond will be lodged with Consumer and Business Services. The bond is held as security against any breach of your residential tenancy agreement. At the end of your tenancy, following the final inspection and provided any outstanding issues have been addressed, a bond refund form will be completed and direct deposit refunds are usually in your account within 2 working days.

Keys Lost or Locked Out

We keep spare keys for all of the properties that we manage. Under special circumstances, and on producing photo identification, the keys can be borrowed but must be returned with 4 hours. Please note that if a call out is required or if we need to attend outside office hours then a call out fee of $75 will be charged.

It is therefore advisable that you make arrangements regarding the location of a spare key should you inadvertently lock yourself out. If we are unable to attend then you may need to contact a locksmith to arrange access at your expense.

Locks may not be changed without first obtaining written consent from the property manager. If locks are changed, a spare key must be provided to Rentals SA.

Inspections

Ingoing inspection - Before you move into the property, you will be issued with an ingoing inspection report. This report details the condition of the property before you moved in. You have seven (7) days from the commencement of the lease to inspect the property and check the condition of the property against the condition report.

Any discrepancies must be noted on the condition report and returned to Rentals SA within the 7 days. Failure to do so could result in you being responsible for damage that was not caused during your tenancy.

Routine inspections - The purpose of inspections is to advise the landlord of the condition of their property and how it is being maintained. You are however requested to advise our office of any repairs or maintenance you feel is needed as soon as possible throughout the tenancy. During the course of your tenancy, the premises will be inspected periodically after providing you with the required written notice. The first inspection will usually be 6 weeks after you move into the premises, and thereafter on a 3 monthly basis.

Final inspection - Final inspections are conducted at the end of the lease term or upon vacating. The condition of the property is checked against the ingoing condition report to ensure that there has been no damage caused by you. You will be held liable if the property is not returned in the same condition less fair wear and tear (please refer to the exit cleaning checklist for tips that will help ensure the property is returned in suitable condition).

Ending the Tenancy Agreement

Any notice to end the tenancy agreement must be in writing. If you wish to give notice to vacate, please use the Notice to Vacate form on this website.

Ending a fixed term agreement - There is no specific notice period required if you want to leave at the end of your fixed term lease agreement. However, it is advisable to give reasonable notice -eg 4 weeks. We will contact you towards the end of your tenancy agreement to clarify your intentions.

Ending a periodic agreement - A periodic agreement may be ended by the landlord or the tenant by giving written notice of the termination. The notice may be given at any time. The landlord must give at least 60 days notice and the tenant must give 21 days' notice.

Ending the lease early - When you sign a fixed term tenancy agreement (lease) you are committing to stay for the full term. If your circumstances change and you want to move out before the end of the fixed term there are potential costs involved. You may have to pay rent until a new tenant takes over or the fixed term period ends, whichever occurs first, and a percentage of the advertising costs and the agent's reletting fee.

If you need to end your agreement early you should give us as much notice as possible. We will take all reasonable steps to find a replacement tenant. The more you can do to help, the less you may have to pay. You should make it as easy as possible for us to show the premises to potential new tenants.

Vacating the Property

It is your responsibility to leave the premises in the same condition as it was when you moved, less fair wear and tear. Please note that the rent will be due and payable until all necessary cleaning and repairs have been completed and all keys have been returned.