30 Who is responsible for garden maintenance? There are no references to responsibilities for garden and lawn maintenance in the Acts however it is a general responsibility of tenants to maintain gardens and lawns however pruning of trees and hedges or other large maintenance jobs are to be maintained by the Landlord. If there is not an agreement of a regular maintenance paid by the landlord, it is best to include a provision in the tenancy agreement that it will be the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the lawns and gardens. We advise that in properties with large gardens or those that require more maintenance than usual, landlords should consider the option of maintaining this as a part of the weekly rent to make sure standards are kept at an acceptable level long term. Can you guarantee the tenant? We can never guarantee a long and happy tenancy however we do have an extensive application process which covers the applicant’s tenancy history, listings on tenancy databases and personal references. We also speak with each applicant’s employer to ascertain their level of commitment and responsibility as well as income confirmation. Wewill provide youwith as much information as we can about an applicant so you can make a decision without having any doubts. In saying that, the paying of rent and maintaining of the property is an obligation for the tenant. The State and Territory laws govern how an agency must act in relation to tenants that do not fulfill these obligations and hence we cannot guarantee a perfect tenancy. This is a landlord risk that comes with allowing someone else to rent your property. Do I need Insurance? Although it’s not a legal requirement, we advise all landlords to have comprehensive insurance to cover both your property and the tenancy, as these are often two different policies. It’s important for landlords to insure chattels such as carpets, blinds and curtains, stove and other white goods that a tenant may be using, and to maintain a current insurance certificate if your property has a chimney. Always remember to tell your insurance company the property is tenanted to ensure you’re covered. Ray White Property Managers can give you brochures regarding comprehensive landlord insurance so please contact us directly if you’d like these. There are many insurance options on the market and we recommend you get independent advice to find the policy right for you. Who’s responsible for mould? Mould in rental properties is a common issue throughout Australia and it is a Landlord’s responsibility to rid properties of mould prior to any tenancy beginning. Properties should include security catches on windows so that the house can be aired, and it’s also a good idea to provide a fan in all bathrooms to allow for adequate ventilation. It is advised that exhaust fans should be installed in bathrooms or flyscreens on windows to allow tenants option to ventilate the room as this is a room that sees daily moisture. Mould can be a serious health and safety problem so it is best to keep a regular treatment schedule if your property is prone. Where the water supply is from a tank, the Landlord should provide a full tank at the start of the tenancy and the tenant then pays for all water consumed during the tenancy and is also required to leave the tank full at the end of the tenancy. How long will you take to rent out my property? The length of time it takes to tenant your property will largely come down to market demand at the time, the current condition of your property, and an effective marketing and pricing strategy. Your Property Manager will do everything in their power to minimise your vacancy period and aim to secure a new tenant for your property as quickly as possible. They will also provide you with regular feedback every step of the process.
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