As a rule of thumb, we’ll inspect a property every 3 months. So if you’re on a 6-month lease, you’ll likely have one inspection, and if you signed a 12-month lease, expect three inspections. In every case, we’ll give you 7 days written notice advising you when we’ll inspect, and give you a 2-hour time-frame of when we’ll enter. You can choose to be there, but it’s not necessary.
This issue is lengthy and covered fully under the NSW Office of Fair Trading, but in summary, residential tenancy agreements generally include a break fee.
If the fixed term of the agreement is for 3 years or less, the break fee is:
- 6 weeks rent if you move out in the first half of the fixed term.
- 4 weeks rent if you move out in the second half of the fixed term.
If the fixed term is for more than 3 years and you and the landlord agree to include a break fee clause, you can agree on the amount and write it into the agreement.
You can pay your rent via BPAY system. You will be supplied details at the signing of the lease. We are a no-cash/cheque office.
In most cases, pets are considered on application. It’s important to consider the suitability of each pet on a case-by-case basis as obviously some pets are more compatible with certain types of properties. The property owner will have the final say as to whether or not your application will be approved with your pets. In those cases where a Strata Management applies, the Strata Management Owners Cooperation will make the final decision.
You must seek permission to add people to your lease. Additional tenants will have to complete our application process and either sign the lease or be added on to the lease. We may refuse your request if the property is unsuitable for an additional person, or the person you are proposing does not meet our eligibility criteria.
The vacating process begins when a tenant advises a Landlord, in writing, that he wishes to leave the premises or when a Landlord issues a termination notice to the tenant.
If a tenant intends to leave when their tenancy contract expires, they are required to provide at least 14 day-notice, if the lease term has not yet expired. If the lease has already expired, then the tenant is required to give 21-days written notice.
In the same situation, a landlord is required to provide 30-days notice if the lease has not yet expired and 90-days notice if the lease has expired.
Once adequate notice has been given, a tenant will be issued with a vacate date. This is the latest date that a vacating tenant is able to return the keys to Vogue Real Estate Australia Pty Ltd. A tenant is also required to have all their property out from the property and have left the property in good order. You are required to pay rent until this date, regardless of whether you occupy it in the final days or not.
Tenants are required to complete an exit condition report upon leaving a property. If the property is not left in a respectable condition, we will hire professional cleaners at your expense, this cost will be deducted from your bond.
If the agent and tenant agree on the bond to be refunded, they will together submit a bond refund request form. Once this is complete, you will be refunded the agreed amount as directed by the form. If the tenant and agent disagree on the return of the bond, you may file a dispute to the Office of Fair Trading in NSW Alternatively, your property manager will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Open Inspections
Open inspection times will be displayed in the advertisement of the property in which you are interested. Should you wish to have an inspection of the property outside of these hours, please contact our Property Manager with your suggested date and time via our contact us page or phone (02) 8858 3260 between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday.
You will be contacted within 24 hours regarding your private inspection.
Submitting Your Rental Application
Once you have viewed a property, you are then able to submit your rental application for tenancy. Our rental applications can be downloaded below. These can be submitted via fax, email or handed in at the office or direct to the property manager at the inspection, together with all supporting documentation.
What to Include in Your Rental Application
Each individual applicant over the age of 18 will be required to submit the following:
- Basic personal details
- Details of your current and past addresses
- Next of kin contact details
- Details of rental history including rental references, tenancy ledger
- Personal and professional references
- 120 points of identification (must include current photo):
- Passport, birth certificate (70pt)
- Drivers license, 18+ card (proof of age card) (40pt)
- Bank/credit card, phone/electricity account statement (25pt each)
- Employment details or proof of income
- Last two pay slips
- Employment contract
- Bank statement that you will be using for your rental payments
Failure to fully complete your entire rental application and all required attachments will result in additional delay and could compromise the likelihood of your application being progressed.
Processing Your Rental Application
Here’s what we’ll look at when processing your rental application:
- Double check that you have fully completed your application form including all the documents that we require;
- We’ll check your identification to ensure that all details line up as they should;
- We then do a basic affordability test for all people applying on your lease to make sure that the rent is within your means;
- We’ll contact your employer to ensure your employment and income details are current and correct.
- All applicants will be checked against a national tenancy database so that we’re aware of any past discrepancies in rental payments or prior property damage;
- Rental applications that meet our criteria will be passed to the property owner who’ll make the final decision on which rental application to progress;
- If you’re application is selected we will notify you immediately to arrange a sign-up meeting, unsuccessful applicants will be notified as soon as a tenant is secured.
How Long Does it take to Process a Rental Application?
We will endeavor to have an answer to you within 48 hours.
Accepting & Signing the Lease
Once you have been accepted for a property we will make an initial phone call to advise that your application has been successful. You will be required to pay a minimum of 1 weeks rent as deposit to secure the property.
Once we have received your deposit in our trust account, we will contact you with a suitable time for all parties to visit our office to sign the lease. At the time of the approval phone call we will advise you of the balance required to fulfill your rent in advance (2 weeks rent) and bond (equivalent to 4 weeks rent) payable prior to the signing of the lease.
When you visit our office to sign your lease, please bring your payment receipt. We will explain all your tenancy requirements thoroughly and rental payment procedures.
Please allocate up to 45 minutes for your tenancy induction. We will explain our zero tolerance policy for late rent payment, the bond lodgement process, action for emergency repairs and set up payment method through our BPAY payment system. The lease will then be signed by all parties and at completion we will hand over the keys to the property.
Please note we do not accept cash or cheques at any time. Our office has a no cash policy.
Before You Rent
We suggest that you familiarise yourself with our rental application process before you even begin your house-hunting. That way you can prepare copies of all relevant documents to ensure your application is submitted as soon as you find that property. (please see “submitting an application” for required supporting documentation.
Finding a Property
This is absolutely the most important step in the rental process. Finding the ‘right’ property is a decision that will affect you for the entirety of your lease. So it’s important that you carefully consider exactly what you want in a home.
All you need to do is go to ‘Properties’ and enter any criteria you may have. Most people will narrow down their search by rent price, suburb, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and number of car parks.
Once you’ve found one, or a handful of properties, that you’re interested in, it is suggested that you attend the open inspection before you apply. You may also have someone view the property on your behalf.
Attending Open Inspections
In the advertisement for properties to rent, you will see the times of the property’s open inspection. If you are unable to attend at these times, please contact the Property Manager via email or phone to arrange a mutually convenient private viewing appointment.
Submitting Your Rental Application
For ease of application, we strongly suggest that when you attend an open inspection, you have your completed application form together with all supporting documentation ready to hand to the Property Manager, should you wish to apply for tenancy.
In order to complete your rental application you will need to provide us with the following:
- Basic personal details
- Details of your current and past addresses
- Next of kin contact details
- Details of rental history including rental references
- Personal and professional references
- 120 points of identification (must include current photo):
- Passport, birth certificate (70pt)
- Drivers license, 18+ card (proof of age card) (40pt)
- Bank/credit card, phone/electricity account statement (25pt each)
- Employment details or proof of income
- Last two pay slips
- Employment contract
- Bank statement showing savings or large lump sum deposits
There are a number of ways to submit your rental application. You may hand it in at the property inspection or via fax or email it to us or via the contact us page.
Bond
A rental is a sum of money that tenants are required to pay to cover any unforeseen problems. This can cover; unpaid rent, damage to property by tenants and cleaning should the property be left in an unsatisfactory condition.
The bond is the equivalent to four weeks rent. This bond will be submitted to the Office of Fair Trading and where it will be kept for the duration of the tenancy.
Utility Connections – We can help free of charge!
It is a tenants responsibility to ensure power, gas, phone and internet has been connected into your name.
Changing Your Address
Be sure to update your address where necessary. This might include; Department of Transport, banks, superannuation funds, schools, work and so forth. Please also ensure you advise us of your new home phone number and PO Box if applicable.
Property Condition Report
Please ensure that you return your signed/amended copy of your property condition report to us within 7 days of the tenancy start date. If this is not returned, please be aware that the original inspection will be used for end of tenancy comparison, regardless of whether you agree to the original report or not.
Tenant Contents Insurance
It is important to note that should your goods be damaged or destroyed by circumstances affecting the owner’s property (i.e. fire, storm damage, power outages, etc), then your goods and possessions are not insured by the owner.
Example One: An electrical fault in the building starts a fire and the property is destroyed. Your possessions will not be covered by the owner’s insurance.
Example Two: You are away on holidays and the power cuts out due to an electrical fault in the building. Your return home to find your fridge/freezer goods spoilt. The owner’s insurance will not cover your fridge/freezer goods.
Example Three: A storm blows a tree onto the house and in the process, your belongings are damaged. The owner’s insurance will not cover your possessions. A quality tenants contents insurance should cover these examples. Please contact your insurer for further information. You need to ensure that all your goods are adequately insured as neither Vogue Real Estate Australia Pty Ltd or the property owner will be liable for damaged or destroyed tenant possessions.