TENANT INFORMATION

What information is required if I want to make an application to lease a property?

We require a detailed Tenancy Application form to be completed. The information required from you will be:

• Full name(s) of occupant(s)
• Current address, telephone number, agent or landlord, rent payable, period of tenancy and your reason for leaving.
• Previous address, agent or landlord, rent payable, period of tenancy and reason for leaving.
• Date of birth and drivers licence (this is used to enable us to carry out a tenant reference check through NTD)
• Current occupation, employer, period of employment, name of person who can verify this information and telephone number.
• Previous occupation, employer, period of employment, name of person who can verify this information and telephone number.
• Number of adults and children to occupy the property.
• Number and type of any pets.
• Name, occupation and daytime telephone numbers of a personal reference (excluding those above or family members).
• Name, address, relationship and telephone number of next of kin.

How much money do I need to pay before I can move in?

For the vast majority of properties, one calendar month's rent is required to be paid in advance plus one calendar month's rent as a security deposit or bond.

What can I do if I think the agent or the owner is treating me unfairly?

At the commencement of your tenancy you are provided with a booklet put out by the Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs that clearly sets out your Rights and Responsibilities as a tenant. If you want any additional information during your tenancy, the booklet advises you where this can be obtained.

What's a Condition Report?

This is a document that sets out the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy. You have three business days after the commencement of your tenancy to make necessary addidtions before returning it to the property manager.

This is a very important document as it is upon the information contained in it that the security deposit is disbursed at the end of the tenancy.

How often can the rent be increased?

The Residential Tenancies Act states that rent can only be increased at six monthly intervals and that sixty day's notice of any increase must be given to the tenant.

Do I get interest on my bond?

No. The bond that is paid to the property manager is paid into an account specifically titled (Name of Agent) Tenancy Trust account. It is then lodged and paid to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority that will hold and disburse tenants' bonds. There is a provision in the new legislation, Residential Tenancies Act 1997, that allows for the Minister to pay interest on bonds at some time in the future.

Can the property manager, any of the agencies staff or the landlord arrive on my doorstep and expect to inspect the property?

No. The legislation is specific about the period of notice and the reasons that must be given for anyone to enter the property you are leasing. There were two basic tenants upon which the legislation was initially framed - security of tenure and quiet enjoyment.

Do I have to sign a lease?

Most landlords require their tenants to enter into a fixed term tenancy agreement when they initially lease a property. When that agreement expires you cannot be forced to take out another, but can elect to go onto a periodic tenancy.

However, for a tenant there is security of tenure (meaning the landlord cannot regain possession of the property) if you are under a fixed term agreement (lease). There is also a certainty about the rent during the term of the fixed term agreement, as it cannot be increased, unless the agreement has a clause specifically stating to the contrary.