Tenant & Renting Guide


Tenant Guide
At PAN PROPERTIES, we attempt to ensure that your renting process is as well informed as possible, thus the creation of this guide for you. It should answer some of the questions you may have.
BEFORE YOU MOVE IN
Before choosing a particular property to rent, it is important to take a number of things into consideration:
    Is the house / flat close to public transport, friends, shops, work, school?
    Is it noisy – is it near a busy road? Can you put up with the noise?
    What’s the parking like?
    Is there good security – are there locks on the windows and doors?
    Does the place need repairs – if so will the landlord carry out any necessary repairs before you move in? Do you have this in writing?
    What is the monthly rent? How often do you have to pay?
    How is the rent paid? Does the landlord collect? Do you pay to the agent?

DOCUMENTS YOU SHOULD GET
It is recommended that you should request to have a tenancy agreement. This agreement should be in writing. Once you sign the agreement you must receive a copy of it.
The tenancy agreement comes in two parts:
    Part 1 – The terms of the agreement. This sets out what you and your landlord agree to do during the tenancy.
    Part 2 – An inventory list. This describes the condition of the premises at the time you move in, the number of keys included as well as the items included in the tenancy.
You should attempt to go through the inventory list with your agent in detail at the commencement of the tenancy or make note of any items that are missing or anything that might not be working and report that to the agent as soon as possible.
The tenancy document will also be officially stamped.
It is important you understand what you are agreeing to before you sign the terms of the agreement. If you have difficulty reading English, you will need to ask someone who speaks your language to interpret the agreement for you.

ENTRY COSTS
You will usually be required to pay rent in advance from the first day of your tenancy:
    1 month rent in advance
In addition, you will usually be asked to pay a security bond. This is a form of security for the landlord in case you owe money for rent or damage to the premises at the end of the tenancy.
    Equal to 2 months’ rent
Finally, you are also required to pay
    A utilities deposit equal to 1/2 month’s rent; and
    Stamping fees for the tenancy agreement.
RENT
You and the landlord should agree on the rent you will pay and the method of payment before you move in. Make sure these arrangements are written into your tenancy agreement.

ACCESS, PRIVACY, LOCKS AND SECURITY
Keys
At the start of the tenancy, tenants must be given a set(s) of keys and all other lock opening devices, swipe cards, remote controls, etc., so that they can enter and secure any part of the premises. This includes keys to any door, window, or letterbox locks. Under no circumstances can any tenant be charged a separate fee, bond or deposit for keys.
Privacy
Tenants have a basic right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the premises that must be respected by their landlord.
The landlord must make sure they, or anybody else on their behalf, do not interrupt the tenant’s reasonable peace, comfort and quiet enjoyment of the premises.
Renting costs
When you sign a new tenancy and move in to your new rented home, you will have a number of one-off and on-going expenses.
Your one-off expenses could include:
    Gas connection
    Setting up an account with a telephone service provider
    Setting up an account with an internet service provider
Your on-going expenses will include paying rent, paying other bills such as for electricity and gas.

DURING THE TENANCY
Non-urgent repairs and maintenance
The landlord or agent must make sure the premises are reasonably clean and fit to live in when you move in. The landlord or agent must then maintain the premises to a reasonable standard by carrying out repairs and maintenance if needed.
You must not attach any fixture or make any renovation, alteration or addition to the premises without written permission from the landlord or agent.
You must not intentionally or negligently damage the premises. You are responsible for damage caused by other occupants of the premises or any person you allow on the premises.
You must notify the landlord or agent of any damage to the premises as soon as possible, regardless of who or what caused the damage. It is a good idea to put it in writing.
Urgent repairs
An urgent repair is when something breaks that may make the premises unfit to live in or cause a potential safety risk or interrupt access to water, gas or electricity supplies. If the premises need urgent repairs, tell the landlord or agent immediately.
The landlord or agent is then obliged to organize urgent repairs as soon as reasonably possible.
Your tenancy agreement may have trades people listed that you could use.

ENDING THE TENANCY
Written notice must be given by either landlord or tenant if a tenancy agreement is to be ended.
Notice periods
You have to ensure that you follow the instructions as set out in your tenancy agreement on how to provide notice. This usually has to be done in writing.
Breaking the tenancy agreement early
If you want to end the tenancy agreement early you should give as much notice as possible, preferably in writing. Keep a copy of the letter.
Breaking an agreement can be costly to you. A landlord can claim compensation for any loss suffered as a result of you ending a tenancy agreement early, so try and come to an agreement with the landlord / agent.
Leaving the premises
It is your responsibility to leave the premises as near as possible in the same condition, fair wear and tear excepted, as set out in the original condition report.
Landlords may want to claim some or all of the bond for themselves if they believe you have damaged the premises, breached your agreement or owe rent.

TIPS FOR PROBLEM-FREE RENTING
The following may assist you in avoiding problems:
    Make sure you have read and understood the tenancy agreement before you sign it
    Keep a copy of the tenancy agreement
    Keep a copy of the inventory list:
-    it will be needed at the end of the tenancy when a final inspection is done
-    if the landlord/agent disputes the return of the bond at the end of the tenancy, an inventory list may help a tenant prove that the bond should be refunded to them
    Do not interfere with the peace, comfort or privacy of your neighbours
    Confirm anything you agree to in writing and send your landlord or agent a copy
    Take good care of your home and treat it as if you own it
    Comply with all the requirements of your tenancy agreement
    Notify your landlord / agent as soon as you become aware of a problem:
-    let them know in person (you could take someone with you to act as a witness) or by phone and then follow up with a letter confirming what was said
-    any follow up letter should clearly outline the problem, what you want done and the history of your complaint ie. When you first made contact etc.
    Keep a diary of your conversations with the landlord / agent – record all the times and dates of conversations, who you spoke to and what they agreed to do.
    Keep copies of all your letters to the landlord/agent
    Contact your landlord immediately if you need an urgent repair
    If you are having difficulty in paying the rent, you should notify your landlord immediately
    Don’t move out without giving the required notice as you may end up losing your bond or having to pay compensation to the landlord
    Leave the premises in the condition in which you found them, fair wear and tear excepted
    Take all your belongings with you when you leave.

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