Information for Tenants
As a tenant, you will have certain responsibilities which will be explained to you. To ensure this is made easy, we have provided some information to help you meet your obligations. If you’re ever unsure or need help, please contact us.
TENANT COMMUNICATION
While we are happy to chat, all tenant requests must be received in writing – we prefer for you to use our online forms, but you can also mail or fax the forms provided in your tenant kit or download them from this website.
We need to keep up to date telephone numbers and employment records during your tenancy. You must advise Investors Choice if there are any employment or contact detail changes.
PAYMENT OF RENT
Tenants must pay rent in advance as part of the signed tenancy agreement. Rent in full is due on or before the due date – Rental payments are to be paid in the methods specified in your lease agreement.
You must contact Investors Choice if you are unable to pay your rent by the due date. A good tenant respects that the landlord relies on rent being paid on time.
LATE PAYMENT OF RENT
Late payment of rent is treated very seriously. You will receive a reminder via SMS, letter and/or phone call should your rent be late. Eviction processes commence if your rent is 14 days late and may result in Investors Choice listing you with credit reference agencies.
Repairs and Maintenance
All maintenance issues must be reported to Investors Choice Property Management. If you have a maintenance request please complete the online maintenance form. Alternatively, you can mail or fax the completed form found in your tenant kit or download one from this website. Maintenance appointments are made between tenants and tradespeople. If a tenant is not home at the agreed meeting time, the tenant will be responsible for the standard tradesman service call out fee.
If you need to call out a tradesman for an urgent repair please let us know the next working day. An example of a non-urgent repair is a leaking tap. If you arrange non urgent work you may be liable to pay the account. Repairs caused by tenant neglect, will be billed to the tenant. For example: a cracked/broken window or a foreign object blocking a toilet. It is the tenant’s responsibility to replace all damaged, defective, or broken light globes, spotlights and/or fluorescent tubes (including starters) during the term, at the tenant’s expense. If you are ever unsure of whose responsibility a repair is please contact your property manager.
An urgent maintenance is defined by the Residential’s Tenancies Act 1997 as:
+ Burst water service
+ Blocked or broken toilet system
+ Serious roof leak
+ Failure or breakdown of any essential services or appliances. eg: cooking/heating, etc
+ Gas leak
+ Dangerous electrical fault
+ Flooding or serious flood damage
+ Failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply
Urgent maintenance must be reported to Investors Choice Property Management, unless the issue occurs outside of business hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm). See our after hours procedure.
VENTILATION OF PROPERTY
If properties are inadequately ventilated or heated, condensation and mildew will result. It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure their property is adequately ventilated by regularly opening windows, particularly in bedrooms and bathrooms.
ROUTINE INSPECTIONS
Routine inspections are undertaken every 6 months to monitor the condition of a property and plan landlord maintenance requirements. You will be given adequate notice before any inspection is conducted.If you are not present at the time of inspections, spare keys will be used to gain access.
BREAKING YOUR LEASE
If you wish to break your tenancy agreement the following conditions will apply: You are responsible for paying rent until such time as the property is re-let or at the expiry date of the lease, whichever occurs first. You are also responsible for paying the landlords letting fee which is equivalent to 2 week's rent + GST.
