Your Renting Guide

We interviewed Gale Atkinson from Booth & Lee Real Estate about how to rent a residential property. When renting a property, most people look through the paper or go into an agency and look at the rental lists.

When the person or people have found what they are looking for they usually ask to have a look at the property. When looking at a property, the agency usually asks for a deposit on a key and will show you around the property.

When you actually like a property, you sign papers stating that you are looking to rent or lease the property, and the application is then processed. It takes up to one day to do if you are successful. The agent will call you up and ask you to come in to sign a lease or tenancy agreement.

When you go to sign a lease you have to pay a bond and two weeks rent. The bond consists of 1 months rent in advance which has to be paid. When the lease has ended, and you want to move out and your rent is up to date, you get your bond back.

You also have to fill out a condition report outlining what the house/flat/units conditions are in so when you leave, it is in the same condition as when you entered.

They will then give you a book called 'Renting Statement of Rights and Duties.' for which the tenant will read, as well as a tenant information sheet which tells the tenant what to do while renting a property. A tenant has to be over the age of 18 to sign a lease.

If there are any problems while renting a property, contact your agent for information. If the problem continues, write down the problem, go into the agency and talk to your rental manager.

You pay your rent by going into the agency, who will give you a receipt saying that you have paid your rent, or you can get it direct debited from your bank account. If there is a problem paying your rent, let the agency know, and they may be able to help when the problem occurs.

Taken from 'Booth & Lee Tenant information Sheet'.

Derrick Gray
Youth@bility Reporter

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Tenants are responsible for the pament of electricity, gas, telephone as well as water they use.

If the tenant wishes to end the tenancy, the tenant has to give the landlord or agent proper notice. The notice has to be in writing, signed by the tenant and the agent, it must specify what date you want to end the lease. At least 4 weeks notice is required.

Problems when renting:

It is best for the tenant and the landlord or agent to try to solve any problems by coming to an agreement. If a dispute gets too difficult, the Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs or a Tenancy Advice Service will be able to advise you.

The Tribunal can deal with any dispute relating to a tenancy agreement. For example, it can order a person to comply with their duties and/or to pay monetary compensation for failing to do so.

Application forms are available from the Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs, Tenancy Advice Services and the Tribunal.

Applications can be given to Fair Trading staff or sent to:

From, 'Renting Statement of Rights and Duties' Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria.

The Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs (a division of the Department of Justice), provides direct services to the public including advice, information and referral in consumer and residential tenancy matters.

Written by Matt Vernon
Youth@bility Reporter

Interviewed by Matt Vernon, Naomi Whitefield and Rachael Lynch
Youth@bility Reporters