We have provided this information for your convenience and to ensure you are aware of the policies and procedures of our office. Thank you for taking the time to read through this. If you are unsure about any section or have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
If you are unsure about any section or have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Please contact your Property Manager to make an appointment as we are not always in the office or available.
OUR CONTACT DETAILS
Joely Sullivan
Phone: 0400 477 607
E-Mail: [email protected]
Jo Griffiths
Phone: 0418 830 007
E-Mail: [email protected]
Bre Fagan
Phone: 0413 770 767
E-Mail: [email protected]
Meg Liakhov
Phone: 0499 878 018
E-Mail: [email protected]
YOUR LEASE
The lease agreement is a legal and binding contract. It is important you read and understand it before you sign it. A tenant is required to pay rent as agreed in the lease until the lease expires. Tenant/s may negotiate to renew the lease at the end of the contract term.
Tenants are required to give a minimum of fourteen (14) days’ notice in WRITING before vacating the premises at the end of the contract term, regardless of whether the lease has expired. Notice is effective from the date that the written notification is received in our office. Notices may be emailed
A tenant must take care of the inside and outside of the property and maintain it in the same condition as you were presented the property A tenant must pay for all utilities connected to the property where it is agreed in the tenancy agreement.
RENTAL PAYMENTS
Rent must be paid to our office in advance on or before the due date in accordance with your lease. Receipts will be emailed out upon receipt of your payments.
Your rental receipts can be posted or collected from our office with a prior written request.
We do NOT accept cash payment in our office.
Bank Details
Now Leasing NT Rent Trust
BSB: 035 311
Acct: 198771
Reference: supplied unique reference number
(contact your property manager if unknown)
RENT ARREARS
RENTAL PAYMENTS MUST REACH OUR OFFICE ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE.
You have entered into agreement with the owner and the rent is due on or before the due date as per your Residential Tenancy Agreement. In the interests of our clients NOW Leasing NT has a zero tolerance policy for late rent payments. Any tenant in breach of the agreement may be lodged on TICA at the discretion of the Agent / Owner.
Cash payments can NOT be made at our office, they can however be made at the Westpac bank downstairs.
Clearance times between bank transfers are a tenant’s responsibility & not accepted as a valid reason for late payment.
SECURITY DEPOSIT (BOND)
An amount of money equivalent to four (4) weeks rent is required as your Security Deposit before occupying the premises. After vacating a property, please allow 2-3 working days for a final inspection of the premises to be carried out, and hence, refund of your Security Deposit to be processed. Security Deposits can NOT be refunded in cash and only be your refund will be paid by Electronic Transfer, in accordance with the Agents Licensing Act.
CONDITION REPORTS
Upon receiving a copy of the Condition Report and Inventory you should check both reports thoroughly. Should you find any variance with either report, please note this on the report and return to our office within five business (5) days of receipt of said reports. Processing of amendments on Property Condition Reports / Inventories will be in accordance with Part 5 Residential Tenancies Act. This information is provided in the Copy of “A Guide to Renting in the Northern Territory” included in your Tenant Pack.
MAINTENANCE
ALL MAINTENANCE REQUESTS MUST BE IN WRITING to our office VIA EMAIL.
Please note that SMS is NOT an acceptable form of communication for maintenance.
Please email our office with a detailed description of the problem, this includes the location of a leak, or the model and serial number of a faulty appliance. The more information you can give us the easier it will be to arrange repairs.
The contractor will contact you to arrange access. Should you require the tradesperson to use office keys you will need to provide us with written authority
It is important you clean air conditioner filters, washing machine and dryer filters, exhaust fans and ceiling fans monthly. Changing of light globes throughout the property is a tenant responsibility.
Any maintenance arranged by the tenant will be at the tenant’s cost unless it is proven to be an emergency undertaken after normal business hours. Contractors are not expected to attend outside of normal business hours, unless you are prepared to pay the afterhours call out fee.
Additionally, if you fail to make a confirmed appt time with a contractor a service fee will be charged by the contractor.
ROUTINE INSPECTIONS
Routine inspections will be carried out approximately six to eight weeks after you move in and approximately every 16 weeks thereafter. You will be notified by email or mail (or both) of the pending appointment. Should the scheduled time be inconvenient, please contact your property manager to arrange an alternative time, or send permission for us use of our office keys.
GENERAL UPKEEP
It is the tenant responsibility to always maintain the property in good clean and tidy condition. It is also the responsibility to proactively monitor and report any item that need attention. If the property is unfurnished, we ask that a plastic mat be installed under your fridge to avoid damage to the flooring / tears to the lino, scratches to tiles etc. Cutting boards must be used on benches We recommend floor protectors be placed/fixed under legs of furniture, indoor plants and in heavy traffic areas i.e. hallways. (Particularly in homes that have polished timber floors) It is also suggested you place a drip tray in the carport to catch any oil leaks from cars. Oil stains can be costly to pressure clean and cost is borne by the tenant.
The yard is the responsibility of the tenant and must tidy at all times. This includes REGULAR watering and mowing. Weeding, general pruning, mowing, raking, and removal of dead palm fronds is the tenant’s responsibility. In the event that a regular gardener is included in this tenancy, it is agreed by all parties, that the tenant shall remain responsible for ensuring that the yards and gardens, including any irrigation, be kept neat between these gardener visits. Irrigation must be monitored constantly throughout the tenancy to ensure the gardens and lawns are kept healthy throughout.
Any cost for damages caused by neglect or pets (approved or unapproved) shall be the responsibility of the tenant.
EMERGENCIES
After Hours Emergencies
Please note, emergencies are considered a danger to a person, a health risk or could be damaging to the building or property. They could also include the safety and security of the property and tenant.
All other maintenance requests will need to be reported to your property manager in writing during office hour.
Should you ever require after hours emergency repairs, please contact the following persons:
Electrical – SEM – 1300 205 494
Plumbing – John Day Plumbing – 08 89818193|
Locksmiths – Darwin Lock & Key – 08 8948 1966
JACANA Energy – 1800 448 894
NT Emergency Services – 08 8922 3630
Should your call to your Property Manager not be answered, please leave a detailed message including the property address and contact details, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Should you call an after-hours contractor directly, please ensure that your situation is an emergency as the callout fee may be passed on to you for payment. If you are unsure, please ask the contractor over the phone before they attend to assist them in determining the emergency.
SMOKE ALARMS
Legislation in the Northern Territory requires all residential premises be fitted with smoke alarms. It is now a requirement that all smoke alarms be the photoelectric type upon the change of or renewal of tenancy after this date.
Additional to this, the alarms must be tested annually or within 30 days of renewal or change of tenancy.
In the event that the lease is terminated prior to its conclusion, it is a requirement that the alarms be tested at the cost of the outgoing tenant. This will be invoiced and payable by the tenant and can / will be deducted from the bond.
It is the tenant/s responsibility to regularly test and ensure the smoke alarms are working at all times during the tenancy.
If a smoke alarm is tested and not working it is the tenant/s responsibility to report this to the property manager immediately.
POOLS / SPAS (WHERE APPLICABLE)
The tenant is responsible for purchase of chemicals and cleaning required for the maintenance of pool/spa. A water balance report from any pool shop must be provided to our office at the end of your lease. Under no circumstances, should you empty any pool or spa, water levels must remain full at all time or subsequent damage will be at a cost of the tenant.
Tenants must report any maintenance and safety issues to the property manager or property owner as soon as possible. This includes problems with gates not self-closing or fencing barriers not being secure or stable.
NO PERMISSION HAVE/WILL BE GIVEN FOR INFALTABLE/TEMPORARY POOLS.
PORTABLE SPAS WITH SELF CLOSING LIDS REQUIRE OWNERS CONSENT AND POOL FENCING INSPECTIONS BY NT WATERSAFE.
CONNECTIONS & CHARGES
Water Charges
Please be aware that Landlords can pass on the full cost of water consumption provided:
· The rental premises are individually metered, and
· The tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
However, a landlord cannot ask a tenant to pay for charges, levies, rates or taxes that enable the supply of electricity or water to the premise.
Unless otherwise arranged and agreed to in writing, all water usage will be charged after each routine inspection. An initial water meter reading is taken at the commencement of lease and then at each routine inspection. Water is charged at the same rate that is payable to PAWA. An invoice will be sent out at intervals after the routine inspection. The invoice is payable within 30 days.
Electricity
Power connection can be done online, over the phone to Power & Water on 1800 245 092 or in person at the Power & Water Authority Office. https://jacanaenergy.com.au/news_and_publications/forms/application_for_residential_electricity_connection_disconnection
It is your responsibility to have electricity connected in your name.
Please arrange for disconnection THE DAY AFTER your scheduled Final Inspection to allow us to clearly determine the state of the property and ensure everything is in working order.
Gas
Gas bottle connections and supply are a tenant’s responsibility.
In some instances, a bottle is left over from the previous occupant; this can be left onsite until empty or removed straight away, either option is fine with the owner and is up to the discretion of the tenants. Bottle replacement however is the tenant’s responsibility, as is removal of the bottle at the end of the tenancy.
Telephone & Internet Services
For connection of your telephone & Internet you need simply to contact your preferred supplier and arrange connection.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ALL CONNECTION COSTS ARE A TENANT RESPONSIBILITY, THIS INCLUDES LANDLINE OR NBN CONNECTION CHARGES.
CYCLONES IN THE NT
Cyclones are a part of life in the Northern Territory, we thoroughly recommend you make yourself aware of the stages and warnings and ensure you are prepared and have the knowledge you will require during these times.
See our useful links tab to see more information on Cyclones.
http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Emergency-Service/Publications-and-forms.aspx
There’s a brochure for your information that details what you should expect and what your cyclone kit should consist of.
TIO provide an SMS warning alert. Simply go to the TIO Website www.tiofi.com.au/alerts and click on the Weather alerts registration link to sign up.
Do not become complacent, they can be extremely dangerous.
The landlord’s insurance and liability does not cover your personal effects in any circumstance.
We strongly recommend that you take out your own Contents Insurance.
OCCUPANCY
Only the people originally included on your Tenancy Agreement, approved by our office on behalf of the owner, can reside on the premises.
ANY CHANGES TO OCCUPANTS, EITHER COMING OR GOING, ARE AT THE APPROVAL OF THE OWNER.
The owner has the right to decline removal of a person from the tenancy agreement or decline the additional inclusion of any additional occupants or lease holders. Our office must be advised PRIOR to any person taking up occupancy of the property. Completed applications are required from all adult occupants (both lessee/s and co-tenant/s) to present to the owner for approval.
Where a change in tenancy occurs, it is important to ensure all persons are aware that all parties to the lease must sign off on a Memorandum of Variation to the original lease.
A change of tenancy MUST be requested in writing and approved by the owner and under legislation can only be agreed to if at least one of the original occupants remains in the property.
CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS
Please advise immediately of any and all changes to contact details. Both after hours and business hours contact details are required. Any changes to employment must also be advised. This assists with maintenance being attended to without delay.
KEYS
At commencement of lease the tenant will be provided with at least one full set of keys to the property. On vacating the premises the tenant is obliged to return all keys to our office at or prior to the final inspection.
Tenants are not authorised to have any additional keys cut without prior permission.
Your tenancy DOES NOT TERMINATE until ALL keys have been returned.
Failure to return keys will result in additional rent being charged and / or the cost of changing locks and new keys issued.
CAR PARKING
Ensure your car and invited guests cars are parked in the designated areas and not on nature strips or lawn areas. This is a condition of your Tenancy Agreement and failure to comply is a breach of contract and may result in further action.
PICTURE HOOKS AND MODIFICATIONS
You must NOT place hooks or make any modifications to the property that potentially damage the property without permission from either the agent or owner in writing. Hooks and modifications should only be installed professionally so that they will sustain the weight for various pictures etc.
We suggest providing a mud map of the room / property indicating the location and quantity of hooks required and this removes any misunderstanding at the end of a tenancy.
All mail delivered to the premises which does not belong to current occupants should be marked “Return to Sender” and placed in a post box,
Please ensure your mail is re-directed at the conclusion of your Tenancy.
ONLINE ACCESS
NOW Leasing NT offer you online access to your own portal to view your tenancy information. You will be sent a login code within 24 hours of lease commencement via email with a link to the portal. You must activate and seek your password upon receipt of this to be able to access these details online.
INSURANCE
The landlord’s insurance and liability does not cover your personal effects in any circumstance. We strongly recommend that you take out your own Contents Insurance.
COMPLETION OF TENANCY
Instructions will be sought from the owner approximately 6 weeks prior to the lease expiry, you will receive a letter or email from our office advising of the pending expiry and request notification of your intention to either vacate or extend your lease. Please ensure you advise our office if you will be renewing your Tenancy or vacating at least 16 days prior to your lease expiry, a minimum of (14) days notice of your Intention to Vacate and this notification must be in writing.
NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE
Please understand we are bound by the restraints of the Residential Tenancies Act and our obligations are to the owner as their paid representative. We are sometimes the mediator between all parties and are always committed to bringing about a resolution mutually satisfying to all. In the interests of the well-being of our staff we will not tolerate abuse, threats bullying offensive language or threatening behaviour. ALL incidents will be reported to police.