Ring, ring, why don't you give us a call

Jan 11, 2023, 00:00 AM

The REIWA Information Service is here to help you with your real estate queries and that we did in 2022, with over 10,000 calls from the public.

Title : Ring, ring, why don't you give us a call

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News date : Jan 11, 2023, 00:00 AM

The REIWA Information Service is here to help you with your real estate queries and that we did in 2022, with over 10,000 calls from the public.

Considering the challenges posed by the rental market, it’s not surprising most queries (66.21 per cent) related to property management.

Here are the answers to some of the more common questions.

My air conditioner is not working and has not been repaired, what can I do? 

Firstly, we recommend checking the RCD to make sure the air conditioning has not been tripped.

If that does not solve the problem, let the property manager know and try to obtain an intended course of action and timeline. 

During hot weather, air conditioning service providers are very busy and it can be difficult to obtain repair services in a timely manner, which may lead to an inconvenient delay.

You can also speak with your property manager about having the air conditioning system serviced during the cooler months, so the risk of future malfunctions is minimised.  

What notice is required to end my lease?

If you are in a fixed-term lease, 30 days’ notice in writing to the other party is required to terminate the lease by either the landlord or the tenant. If either party takes no action, the lease will automatically roll over into a periodic lease.

If your lease is periodic, you will need to be given 60 days’ termination notice in writing by the landlord. You are only required to give 21 days’ written notice to end the lease.

To find out more, read How do I renew or end a tenancy agreement?  

How much can the landlord increase my rent by? 

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) does not restrict the amount of a rent increase however, it would be expected that any increase would reflect the current rent for comparable properties in a similar location. You can look on reiwa.com to compare your rent to advertised rents of similar properties in your area.

If you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent can only be increased if the written agreement provides for an increase and the method by which the increase will happen. The landlord can ask for a rent increase when it comes time to renew the lease.

If your lease agreement is periodic, you must be given 60 days’ notice prior to a rent increase.

I have been given a termination notice but I cannot find another rental

In the current rental climate, we understand the pressures faced by tenants, especially if your lease is ending and you need to find another rental.

We suggest speaking with your property manager about your difficulties and find out if the existing lease can be extended or if they can help you find another property. If not, ask your property manager what type of reference you will be given. This article on securing a rental property in a tight market may help.

My lease is due to end in eight weeks, what action should I be taking if I want to stay?

Contact your property manager to determine what the owner is thinking. Some questions you can ask to help you get a better understanding are:

Is the owner seeking an extension?
Is the owner seeking a rent increase? If so, how much?
Is this in line with comparable properties in the same location?
If I move what is available within my budget?

If you and the owner come to the decision not to renew the lease, you should begin searching for another rental property as soon as possible. Check your rental history for your current property. If you have a good track record of paying rent on time and have kept the property in good condition, you should not have any issues getting a good reference, which will increase your chances of securing a rental that meets your needs.

How much are break lease costs? 

If you want to terminate your residential tenancy agreement you will need to contact your property manager and discuss your obligations.

Unless otherwise agreed, tenants are required to continue with their lease obligations until the end of the tenancy.

If you wish to end the lease before the agreed date, the lessor can claim financial losses.

Examples of the types of costs that come with a break lease claim include, but are not limited to: rent, advertising expenses associated with finding a new tenant, and the unexpired portion of any leasing fee charged by the property manager to the lessor. These costs may be claimed until a new tenant moves in or the original tenancy expires.

How long does it take to get my bond back? 

A common concern is the length of time it takes to disburse a bond after a tenant has vacated the premises at the end of the tenancy agreement.

What a lot of tenants don’t know is that bond money is actually lodged with a specific Government managed trust fund called the Government Bond Administrator and is not kept by the owner or managing agent. 

After the final property inspection, there may be some back and forth between the tenant and property manager depending on the condition of the property.

Sometimes, the process can be delayed if there is a claim against the tenant or something needs to be fixed. Once any claims are settled relating to the property’s condition, it shouldn’t take long for the bond money to be refunded – usually within weeks.

We encourage tenants to keep communication open with their property manager or landlord.

REIWA's Information Service is available to help you with any queries that you might have. Please contact the team on 08 9380 8200 or email [email protected] (business hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

contenttypes : News

topics :

Advice
Rental application

audiences :

Renter

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