CONGRATULATIONS!
The Property Management team would like to congratulate you on your new tenancy. This New Tenant Web Book is a valuable resource created specifically for you to make the process of leasing a property with us as hassle free as possible. It is important that you are aware of your responsibilities - please ensure that you read this document before signing your lease and if you have any questions or concerns please contact one of our team.
1. Your Induction Meeting
Your Appointment
Moving into a new rental property can be a busy time. We have prepared this online document to save you time. Please ensure you have read this document thoroughly prior to your induction meeting. We will have all of the appropriate forms and leases ready for you to sign.
Holding fee
Now that you have been approved, a one week holding fee is required to secure the property so that we can cancel upcoming inspections and decline other applicants. If this payment hasn’t been made within two days the offer will be void and the property will be offered to other suitable candidates.
Please note: the holding fee is forfeited in full if the applicant withdraws.
All persons to be present
All tenants approved on the application are legally responsible for the property. We will need all parties to be present to sign the lease at this appointment.
Bond & Rent
At least 3 working days prior the start of your tenancy, the bond and rent will need to be paid in full in order to collect your keys on commencement date.
Bond is payable through Rental Bonds Online. Your Property Manager will send you the details to register your bond online.
Before starting your tenancy, it is important to notify the Property Manager on how you wish to make your rental payments (fortnightly or monthly). This is so we can have it prepared on your lease before you sign.
Relevant Links:
Tenants NSW - Starting a Tenancy
Tenants NSW - Bond Information
2. Connecting Your Utilities
YourPorter is a completely free service created solely to save you the time and hassle of arranging your utility connections. They specialise in moving home connections – so you can sit back, relax and leave YourPorter to connect your electricity, gas, water, telephone and internet services at the click of a button.
Relevant Links:
Tenants NSW - Utilities Factsheet
3. Tenancy Agreement
Signing your Lease
At your appointment, you will be given a copy of the lease called The Residential Tenancy Agreement. We will go through this lease with you and answer any questions and explain any special terms that may apply to your particular tenancy. At this time, we will sign this document together. A copy will be supplied to you and we will keep a copy for our records.
Please click on the 'Lease Agreement Example' link here to familiarise yourself with the lease prior to coming in for your Induction.
Collecting your keys
Keys can be picked up from our office on your commencement date.
Please note: we are unable to issue keys early, or grant access to the property any earlier than the allocated tenancy start date.
A copy of your Ingoing Condition Report will be given to you at this point. This document will need to be filled out and returned to us within 7 days and we will scan and send a copy to you.
Relevant Links:
NSW Government Fair Trading - New Tenant Information Statement
4. Condition Report
At the start of every tenancy you need to fill out a condition report. This records the general condition of the property, on a room by room basis, including fittings and fixtures. Fill it out with as much detail and accuracy as possible. The report will be a key piece of evidence at the end of the tenancy if there is a dispute about replacing missing items, paying for cleaning or damages. The Ingoing Condition Report is handed to you by your Property Manager when you collect your keys.
Returning the Report:
You must complete and return the condition report within 7 days of receiving it.
Helpful Hint: Try your best to complete this report before you start moving all your furniture into the property. Having furniture in the house while trying to complete the Entry Condition Report will make it difficult to be thorough with the report as this could hide any stains on walls, carpets, etc.
Relevant Links:
5. Rent and Arrears
Paying your Rent
Payments are accepted by Gerber Properties via two methods:
1. Reconnect - If you wish to use Reconnect please fill out this form and return it to us. The sign-up process is straightforward and allows you to set up direct debit for convenience. This service has a small fee attached to it, please see the form for details.
2. Cheque - you can pay your rent via cheque by sending it to us in the mail or dropping by our office.
NO CASH PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS WE DO NOT KEEP CASH ON THE PREMISES
Paying your rent on time
It is your responsibility to ensure that your rent is paid on time. For those using Reconnect, please schedule for this payment to be debited at least 2 days before your rent is due to allow for bank delays. You will be in breach of your Residential Tenancy Agreement if you fail to pay your rent on time.
Arrears
We encourage open lines of communication at all times and urge you to contact us if you become unable to meet your rental commitments during your tenancy. If you fail to make rental payments on time you will fall into arrears. Under the terms of the Tenancy Agreement, rent should be paid in advance as it becomes due.
If you fall into arrears, you will receive automated notifications to remind you to pay your rent.
Day 6 - First reminder
Day 9 - Second reminder and an arrears notice will appear on your tenancy ledger
Day 12 - Final notice issued - 48 hours to remedy to avoid further action
Day 14 - Termination notice issued to tenants with application to tribunal (NCAT) for immediate rectification of arrears
Relevant Links:
Tenants NSW - Rent Arrears Factsheet
6. Repairs and Maintenance
General Repairs
All repairs must be emailed to repairs@gerberproperties.com.au
You will receive a response from us by the next business day. We will inform the owner of the issue and appoint the appropriate tradesperson to contact you. If you are unavailable to be at the property, we will issue a key that may be used for access.
Emergency repairs - please call our office immediately
Emergency items are generally those that could cause injury to the tenant or damage to the property, and may include:
- Water pipes have broken or burst
- Blocked or broken toilet (if a second toilet is not available)
- Serious roof leak or gas leak
- Dangerous electrical fault, dangerous power point, loose live wire, etc
- Flooding or serious flood damage
- Serious storm, fire, or impact damage (i.e. impact by a motor vehicle)
- Failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
- Hot water service failure on a weekend, or long weekend (this would not be considered an afterhours emergency if this occurs on a week night)
- Fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe and unsecure
- Fault likely to injure a person, cause damage or extreme inconvenience
After-hours emergency repairs
Should an emergency repair be required after hours, please phone our office number and the answering machine message will provide you with an emergency contact number. Remember that this is for emergencies only.
Relevant Links:
Fair Trading NSW - Repairs & Maintenance Factsheet
7. Routine Inspections
We will conduct a routine inspection at the property 3 months after your tenancy commences, then approximately every 6 months thereafter. The main purpose is to provide a report to the owner that you are maintaining the property, and also to check for any repairs and make any recommendations to the owner.
Photos
Photos will be taken during the inspection to provide the owner with a report of the condition of the property and any repairs required.
Routine inspection guide
Inside the property
- Walls/light switches/doorways and doors are clean from marks
- The carpets are clean and stain free
- The windows and screens are clean
- The kitchen area is clean and oven/stove top is free of burnt on food and carbon staining
- Shower, bathroom, toilet, laundry and all tiling are clean
- All areas and rooms are fully accessible (not locked)
Outside the property
- The lawns are freshly cut/edged and maintained
- Gardens tidy and presentable/ weeds removed
- Rubbish/lawn clippings removed
- No unregistered car bodies on the property
- Oil stains removed to carports, garages and driveways
- All areas, garages, store rooms, etc are all accessible
If you have an approved pet
- Any droppings are picked up and removed
- Any pet damage or rubbish scattered is repaired and cleaned up
If the property is not up to standard, we will email you with a list of items to be attended to and arrange a follow up inspection in 14 days.
8. Water Charges
Applies to houses and individually metered properties:
The supply of water to this property is individually metered and the property is water efficient. According to the terms of the General Tenancy Agreement, this means that tenants will be liable to pay for all of the consumption charges for the water during the tenancy.
The owner will pay for the supply and service charges for water - it is only the consumption of water that will be passed on to the tenants.
Each quarter, an invoice will be sent to you for the for the water that has been consumed during the tenancy and this will be payable within 14 days directly to Gerber Properties.
9. Caring For Your Rental Property
The links below provide some useful information to help you enjoy your rental property and to comply with the various obligations that you have as tenants. Read these documents carefully, and if you have any questions be sure to ask your Property Manager at your induction interview.
Please note: All fireplaces are strictly for ornamental use only
Relevant Links:
Gerber Properties - Cleaning Checklist
Gerber Properties - General Cleaning
10. Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarm servicing is mandatory for all residential properties. Ensuring that your smoke alarms are in working order is vital for your safety and for the safety of others around you. Most of our landlords subscribe to Smoke Alarms Australia, who carry out annual smoke alarm inspections. SAA will be in contact with you to find a convenient time to gain access to the property in order to complete these services.
Important: Please do not tamper with smoke alarms. If there are any problems with your smoke alarms please notify us immediately.
Relevant Links:
Tenants NSW - Smoke Alarms Factsheet
11. Gaining Access
From time to time landlords will require their property to be valued for refinancing, tax or other purposes. Please do not panic if a valuer contacts you, this does not mean the landlord is looking to sell. However, they will usually ask for access within 2-7 days to pop through for a 10-15 minute valuation. Your assistance here is greatly appreciated and if there are any concerns surrounding this, please contact your Property Manager.
Relevant Links: