Tenants' information

We can appreciate how moving house can be a busy time for you so we have compiled this information to provide general answers to frequently asked questions.

Property Condition Report

This is very important when moving in. We have completed a property condition report along with supporting photographs.

• This report will be given to you either at the time you sign your Tenancy Agreement or we will post it out to you as soon as possible after moving in.
• Please check through the report carefully and make any relevant notes and amendments on the last comments page.
• Please sign the report on the each page, initial any changes and sign the photos at the bottom of each page.
• Please return this report and photos to our office within 14 days of receipt.
• We will forward a signed copy of the report and photos to you for your records.

Electricity / Gas / Phone

These utilities will need to be transferred into your name once you take occupancy and please note that you are not allowed to turn the gas supply on until you have notified Alinta. You can also contact Direct Connect who will connect these utilities free of charge.

To contact by phone please call:

Synergy	131 353
Alinta	131 358
Telstra	132 200

 

Rubbish

Rubbish must be placed in proper bins. There should be a yellow topped recycling bin and a green topped general rubbish bin at your property. There can be a delay in receiving a new one when reordering so if you require a new one at any time please do not delay in contacting our office.

Only the Shire of Harvey supply "tip passes", other councils do not offer the passes any more as they have road side collections several times a year.

Occupancy

Only the people originally included on your application and approved by the owner are allowed to reside at the property permanently. If a new tenant wishes to replace an existing tenant our office must be informed in order to complete an application and receive approval from the owner before taking up residence. Then, if approved, we will prepare a new lease agreement.

Carpets

Carpets must be kept clean and vacuumed on a regular basis. Professional cleaning should also be arranged at regular intervals - not just upon vacating. If the carpets are accidentally damaged, please contact us and we will obtain professional advice on how to repair or replace them.

Breaking Lease

If you require to break your lease and if the owner grants their permission, the tenant may be liable to pay for any costs reasonably incurred by the owner in respect of reletting the property, including but not limited to:

• The rent and other outgoings on the property until it is relet (or until the end of tenancy, whichever is sooner);
• Reimbursement to the owner of any additional leasing fees charged for reletting the property which the owner is paying due to the termination;
• Reimbursement to the owner for the cost of any final inspection fee and/or inventory fee;
• Advertising costs (currently $25 per week);
• Usual costs for the upkeep of the property until it is re-let (or until the end of the tenancy, whichever is sooner).

Contents Insurance

Please be aware that the owners property insurance does not cover your personal belongings and it is in your interest to obtain insurance in case of damage or theft.

Pictures

Please do not use blue-tack or adhesive substances to hang or place pictures on the wall as removal of these items usually causes damage to the walls. We understand that you may wish to install hooks. If so, please supply Just Property Management with a plan of where you wish to add hooks, which will be forwarded to the owner for their instruction and approval.

Foxtel

If the property does not have a Foxtel dish and you wish to have it fitted, please notify our office and we will advise you in writing of the owner's approval and the conditions of installation. Permission of the owner must be sought prior to having Foxtel installed - if the owner does not grant permission the dish and other installation will require removal.

Water Consumption

The owner receives a water account every 3-4 months, and then in accordance with your Tenancy Agreement, we forward you an account for consumption. Payment can be made with your rent within 14 days of receipt of the account.

Every property has a water meter, which was read as you moved in and was recorded on your Property Condition Report. You are advised to monitor your consumption and check the amount your reticulation is using on a regular basis. It is your responsibility to maintain lawns and gardens and to monitor your water consumption. If your watering system is manual, much of the above still applies, particularly choosing to water in the cool of the evening or early morning.

Centrelink concession holders may be entitled to a concession on the water consumption account, please contact the relevant water authority for further details.

Pets

Unless a pet is specifically approved on your lease, pets are not allowed on the property at any time. Please note that in unit complexes the strata company by laws usually forbid pets. On vacating the property, you will be required to have the home sprayed professionally for fleas internally and externally if you have been permitted to keep a pet.

Routine Inspections

Routine inspections will be carried out on a regular basis. The first inspection will done at approximately 6 weeks after the commencement of your tenancy and then 3 monthly thereafter. Inspections are mandatory and we provide 7 - 14 days written notice of the upcoming inspection.

Keys

We have a spare set of keys in the office. For security all our keys are coded and do not identify the property address. Should you have locked yourself out you may collect our set during normal office hours providing they are returned immediately. After hours we recommend that a locksmith could be contacted at your own cost. We recommend Southern Lock and Safe - 9721 8228; or Southwest Locksmiths (Rodney Dall) - 0400 798 987. If a property management staff member is called out, a cost may be incurred.

Lawns and Gardens

The lawns and gardens must be kept neat and tidy at all times. This includes ensuring the grounds are well watered, regularly mown and edged (including removing the clippings from the property), fertilised as required, regular weeding of lawns and gardens and pruning of the trees/bushes. Use this checklist to ensure that the property's gardens and lawns remain in good condition:

Weeding

• Weed garden beds regularly;
• Light raking of garden beds retard weed growth and enhance presentation;
• Commercial sprays such as "Roundup" are available at most nurseries/hardware stores to assist in weed control.

Fertilising

• Regular fertilising to all lawn areas as well as your plants is important and should form part of any maintenance program.
• We strongly recommend the use of a quality wetting agent twice a year as recommended by the Water Corporation. Rebates are available from the Water Corporation for selected wetting agents, please contact them on 131 385 for further details.

Pruning

• Trim back plants and trees after flowering has finished, which is usually during the winter months.

Reticulation

• If your property has auto reticulation, check the operation and makes sure you are happy with the settings.
• Be aware that most controllers require a back up battery and in many a Nicad rechargeable is needed; it is essential to fit the correct type to avoid damage to the controller.
• To ensure that pop up sprinklers continue to operate effectively we suggest you find the sprinkler heads and carefully cut around them with a knife to ensure removal of grass and sand from the pop up top. Bunnings sell a cutter that makes trimming around sprinklers very easy and leaves a neat appearance This will assist trouble free operation and prevent the sprinkler remaining stuck up in the air and vulnerable to shoes and lawn mowers.

General

• Mulch is kept away from the stem of the plants/shrubs.

Notice to Vacate

If you intend to vacate or renew your lease at the end of your fixed term tenancy, we require a minimum of 21 days notice in writing. Once your fixed term agreement expires, it becomes a periodic tenancy and you are required to give not less than 21 days written notice prior to vacating. If you wish to extend for a further fixed term, please contact us to arrange a new lease agreement. Visit our notice to vacate page for further information and to download the Notice to Vacate form.

Maintenance

If you have any items of maintenance to report, please contact the property manager and/or the assistant as soon as possible, no later than 3 days after the fault occurs. You can call our office, or email your property manager and/or property managers assistant. Please visit our maintenance issues page for further information, and to submit a maintenance report form.

Care of your shower screens

Because of the mineral content of the water in the Bunbury and surrounding areas, unless the water is wiped off the glass, calcium and other etching of the glass will occur leaving what appears as a milky white residue. This will gradually worsen to the point that it cannot be cleaned off, and the shower screen would need replacing to bring it back to original condition.

It is important that glass shower screens be cleaned regularly (at least once a week) to remove the build up.

Contacting your Property Manager

Should you wish to meet with your property manager we would appreciate you contacting the office on (08) 9791 8855 to make an appointment. Alternatively, you could email the appropriate property manager and/or assistant as follows:

Jessica Brewer	pm1@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Jessica King	apm1@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Cara Nash	pm2@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Chelsea Wright	apm2@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Jo Edwards	pm3@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Lucy Duda	apm3@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Elaine Katene	pm4@justpropertymanagement.com.au
Diana Lawson	apm4@justpropertymanagement.com.au
General Manager Debbie Hastie	debbie@justpropertymanagement.com.au

 

Statement of Tenant Rights

Take the time to download and read the REIWA statement of tenant rights, so that you are familiar with your rights as a tenant, and your landlord's responsibilities towards the property you are renting.