So, you’ve decided that you want to rent a room out in your home. Maybe you need some extra cash in the short term? Perhaps students would be ideal? Or you could be looking for a long-term? All you have to do now is work out how to go about it. 

Before you both sign the rental agreement, you’ll have to make sure that you’ve considered every aspect. Have a read through our 10 tips for renting out a room in your home and earn your expert badge in no time at all. 

1. Start Advertising Your Room

To kick things off you’re going to have to start advertising. You have plenty of options of where you can do this. You can pretty much disregard newspapers. Nowadays, people turn to the internet to find places to rent. There are websites that’ll advertise your room and kickstart enquiries. You could try spareroom.com or Monday-Friday.com. These are great tools for finding tenants moving to the local area. However, they’re not always trustworthy and many people are dubious about these types of sites. Another option is to list your room with a property management company and let them do the vetting on your behalf.

2. Find A Great Housemate

When you meet a potential roommate take your time. There is no rush to make a decision.

Invite them round. Let them look at your home and the room that is on offer and don’t forget you’ll also be checking them out too. Make a cuppa and get to know them. First impressions count, and you’ll learn a lot about the person in the first 60 seconds of meeting them. But you’ll need to know more. Start by finding out about their work, this way you’ll be able to gage if they are able to afford it. You’ll not want missed rent payments. Learn about their habits, lifestyle and pets. Find out as much as you can.

3. Do Your Background Checks

People can be whoever they want to be if they are only spending an hour with you. So you’ll need to find out the bigger picture before letting someone into your home. Without a doubt, you’re not going to want someone that parties everyday from dusk to dawn living with you (unless you appreciate a good house party.) You’ll find out more from other people that have known them for a long time and have a greater knowledge of their personality. 

Asking for references is always important. Ideally, you’ll be seeking them from their employer and previous landlord. It won’t hurt to ask for a couple of character references too. 

4. Create An Inventory

This is something you should do every time you have a new tenant. If you’re renting out the room furnished, then you don’t want them breaking things or worse, taking them. Start by inspecting the room with your new tenant. List everything in the room and make a note of its  condition. If you know that there is a scratch down the side of the wardrobe, then this must be documented. It’s not the tenants job to pay for your damaged items. But equally, if the tenant creates the scratch then they should be liable for repairs. 

Everything in the room should be listed, from; walls, ceiling lights, furniture and more. Once this is complete, you and the tenant will sign in agreement. This will protect you both from animosity and bad feeling. Great planning will lead to a successful tenancy. 

5. Decide How Long For

It might be that you or the tenant is only looking for a 6-month period. If this is the case, then you’ll know when to start advertising again. You might both be looking for a long-term arrangement and feel that a month to month basis would suit you best. Whatever arrangement you decide on, this must be agreed and documented from the start. This way, everybody will know where they stand. Don’t forget to discuss with your tenant how much notice you’ll expect if they want to leave, or what you’ll give them if you want to end the rental agreement early.

6. Make Your House Rules

They may be renting a room, but it’s still your home. You’ll need to make some general ground rules so that everyone can live harmoniously together. You’ll want to consider cleanliness and make sure that your kitchen is always left ready for the next person. You could also consider noise, guests and what time they come and go. It may be that you’ll not want them coming in drunk at 3 am every night.  Be upfront from the start. But also be prepared to bend a little. It may be that you’ll need to compromise on some issues. You have to remember that their room is their home. 

7. Let Them Know About Your Facilities

When you have a rental agreement to rent out a room in your home, it’s law that they have access to a bathroom and kitchen. You’ll need to be prepared to share. You may have factored food into the price of the rent, and you cook for your tenant. They may buy and make their own food. If this is the case then consideration for cooking times could be an advantage. Your tenant will need their own kitchen cupboard space and some room in the fridge/freezer. 

It’s the same principle with the bathroom. It’s okay for them to have baths and showers. But you could agree times within the day. It’ll be your choice if you extend your home to them using your sitting rooms and access to the television. Just make sure that you’re clear from the onset. Everything that the price includes and everything that it does not. 

8. Advise Your Mortgage Provider

When you decide that you want to have a tenant renting a room in your home, you must notify your mortgage provider. You’ll need to find out contractually where you stand. It may be that the terms of your mortgage will not allow you to sublet to another. Make sure that you’ve dotted all the I’s and crossed all of the T’s. You may find that it’s not a problem. It’ll only take a quick call to check. 

9. Let Your Home Insurer Know

It’s going to be wise to contact your insurer and keep them updated. If the tenant breaks something in your home, you’re going to want to know that it’s covered in your policy. Looking at the worst-case scenario, what if your tenant or a guest steals your belongings? It’ll be devastating if you later find your insurance policy is invalid. Your insurance company will know what you need to do, again just give them a quick call. It’s much better to have all bases covered than regret it later. 

10. Make Sure You Get A Deposit

It’s standard to ask your tenant for a deposit before moving in, and this should be part of their rental agreement. Normally you’d ask for an extra month’s rent in advance to cover this. You’re asking for this to cover yourself. If your tenant moves out early without paying or leaves you with breakages, you have the deposit to fall back on. They’ll get it back at the end of their tenancy if they’ve paid all of the rent and left your room in good condition. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a newbie or just checking to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Hopefully, this guide will have given you all of the advice you need.  At Leased, we’re always looking to make the lives of our landlords easier and ensure your experiences of property management are both successful and profitable. 

If you need any further advice, we’ll look forward to hearing from you. 

In 2016, there were officially 24.1 million pets living in Australia spread out across 5.7 million families. That was a good three years ago now, so this number has probably increased quite a bit by now.

It’s estimated that roughly 62% of Australian households have a pet. Of this, 38.5% are dog owners. 29.2% own a cat. And the remainder have birds, rodents, reptiles and fish.

With so many pets out there, many tenants are looking for pet-friendly rental properties, which can be challenging, to say the least. In some territories and states, landlords cannot legally stop tenants from keeping a pet on the premises without a valid reason. In others, the power rests solely with the property owner. Pet rent laws will determine this.

So with such a large percentage of the Australian population owning pets, can you really afford to isolate them? That’s a pretty big chunk of prospective income to say no too. If you do allow tenants to keep pets in the rental property, do you know the difference between fees, charges and pet rent?

What is a Pet Deposit?

In Australia, a pet deposit is what’s also known as a pet bond. Whether you can charge a pet bond depends on which state or territory your rental property is located in.

To give you an example, in Western Australia it’s common practice for a residential tenancy agreement to include a pet bond of up to $260. This can be used for cleaning or fumigating the property at the end of the tenancy agreement if required.

However, in the Northern Territory a landlord decides whether a tenant can keep pets at the rental property or not… but charging a bond is illegal. In fact, Western Australia is the only state where pet bonds are the norm.

What are Pet Fees?

A pet fee is a one-off payment that is non-refundable. Again, this is pretty much the same as a pet bond. In Australia, pet fees are not normal practice and would be considered a bond. This means that it’s pretty much off-limits and all states and territories except Western Australia. And even here, you could not charge both a bond and a pet fee.

What is Pet Rent?

Pet rent is very much an American phenomenon and isn’t common practice in Australia. However, it is something that could be considered if you decide to rent to pet owners.

Basically, pet rent is an additional charge that’s added on top of the regular rental price. As an example, prospective tenants who don’t own pets could rent the property at $300 a week. Those with pets would have a rent of $325 a week should you allow pets on the property.

By eliminating pet fees or deposits and charging pet rent instead, you would be able to increase monthly revenue. This helps cover any potential damage or cleaning at the end of the tenancy. Pet rent is non-refundable and not recognised in Australian states and territories.

In essence, it’s charging a higher rental price for those with pets… without actually calling it pet rent.

Why Consider Renting to Pet Owners?

Landlords and property management agents are split into two teams. There are those that think animals are filthy and shouldn’t be living inside their property. Then there are those who understand that pets are a huge part of many families’ lives. The latter actually comes with a few surprising benefits.

Pet owners are prepared to pay more

A report by Animal Medicines Australia discovered that 31% of tenants who own pets would be prepared to pay between 7% and 14% more for a rental property. This is mainly down to a lack of available pet-friendly property, making it much harder for tenants to find a place to live. If you have an investment property for lease, pet owners are much more  likely to offer more than the advertised rent to clinch it.

Pet owners tend to rent for longer terms

Research has shown that tenants without pets typically stay in the same rental property for 18 months. Pet owners, on the other hand, tend to rent for twice as long with an average duration of 46 months! Part of this is due to the difficulty in finding pet-friendly properties. So if you have issues with tenant downtime, pet owners could be the answer to all your problems.

A larger rental pool can be accessed

As stated earlier, 62% of Australian households have one or more pets. This is two-thirds of the population. By going pet friendly, you can expand your rental pool reach to 100% instead of just a handful. Of course, the choice is always yours but more prospective tenants equates to less chance of tenant downtime.

You can reach higher-quality tenants 

In 2016, 68% of Australian pet owners were reported to be earning between $70,000 to $100,000 a year. Along with being middle to high earners, they are also more likely to have better overall physical and mental health. This is good news for landlords as it means rent is likely to be paid on time while the property is kept in good condition.

What to Consider when Allowing Pets

While making your rental property available to pet owners comes with many benefits, there are a few other things to be aware of.

Pet Insurance for Landlords

Unfortunately, accidental damage caused by pets in your rental property will most likely not be covered by your landlord insurance. In Western Australia, the bond is a maximum of $260. If damage or maintenance costs exceed this, it could leave you out of pocket. 

There are one or two landlord insurance providers who do cover pet damage, but this maxes out at around $500. For landlords who are happy for tenants to have pets in their properties but can’t charge a bond or get coverage, charging an increased rent for the privilege is a viable option.

While it might seem unfair to charge more to pet owners, demand for pet friendly rentals far outweighs current supply and this will determine your final decision.

Higher Maintenance Costs

Pets are very much a part of the family but just like children, they have the potential to cause damage to your rental property. The number one priority of a landlord is to maintain the property so that it is in a habitable condition. A property occupied by pets can lead to additional maintenance costs, such as replacing stained carpets, fixing chewed doors or sanding down scratched hardwood floors.

Pet-Proofing Rental Properties

With a few simple renovations, you can create a pet-proof rental property that is easier to maintain and broadens your reach to double the number of prospective tenants. Pretty much a win-win situation for everyone. Pet proofing not only protects your investment, but also gives you peace of mind as a property owner.

Get rid of Carpets

When it comes to tenant keeping pets in a rental property, the part of the house that suffers the most is the floor. Carpets can be expensive to replace and solid wood floors difficult to repair. The quickest and easiest solution is to lay linoleum throughout the property. This provides easy to clean floors for any mistakes or mishaps and keeps sharp claws off of wooden surfaces. Compared to carpet, linoleum is incredibly cheap and is easy to replace if needed.

Paint Instead of Wallpaper

Compared to paint, wallpaper can be incredibly expensive. Cat and dog claws can easily shred wallpaper leading to an expensive and time-consuming repair process. Paint, on the other hand, holds up well against pet claws and if scuffs or marks appear, a quick lick a fresh paint can fix things in an instant.

It’s Your Choice

At the end of the day, it’s ultimately your choice as to whether you allow tenants to keep pets on your property or not. Of course, in some states, pet rent laws make it illegal to deny tenants the right to keep animals in the rental property without good cause.

With more than 50% of people who rent being pet owners, it makes savvy business sense to lease properties as pet-friendly. It doesn’t hurt to request a ‘pet resume’ from prospective tenants. While it’s not a legal requirement, any good pet owner will provide you with one.

At Leased. The choice is entirely yours. Whatever type of pet-clause you want to use, we are able to get you in front of thousands of potential Central Coast tenants. Pet-friendly? Get leashed with Leased

Rules and regulations governing tenant rights in Australia can be more than just a little bit confusing. It’s true that a majority of laws are pretty much the same across the country. But there are also some that differ from state to state.

States including Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales have followed the same landlord and tenant laws for several decades without change. Others have experienced minor changes, mainly covering up front fees, bond maximums and pet ownership.

By understanding your obligations as a tenant, you can avoid many of the often overlooked pitfalls that can cost you your tenancy and your home. At Leased. We think everyone should know where they stand without mess or confusion. So to give you a head start, here are all the basics to keep you covered.

Being Asked to Leave

In this section, we will dig deeper into your landlords obligations when requesting you vacate the property or ending your tenancy agreement early. This will cover both fixed-term and periodic rental agreements, which varies across the different states and territories.

Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory, your rights as a tenant will depend on the type of tenancy agreement you have. With a fixed-term rental agreement, the landlord cannot evict the tenant unless the terms of the tenancy agreement have been breached.

For periodic agreements, landlords are able to evict tenants with 26 weeks advance notice without cause or just four weeks notice with cause. For this reason, a fixed-term rental agreement offers more security for tenants in rental properties.

Northern Territory

Once the fixed-term agreement has finished, landlords must provide a minimum of 14 days notice to end the tenancy agreement. For a lease that is ongoing and has passed that period, landlords are required to give tenant a minimum of 42 days advance notice.

NSW

In New South Wales, a fixed-term lease cannot be ended prematurely by the landlord unless the tenant has breached the agreement. If the landlord wants to request you to vacate the property at the end of your fixed-term lease, 30 days advance notice must be given.

For those on a periodic lease in New South Wales, 90 days advance notice must be given to the tenant to vacate the rental property. The exception to the rule is if the tenant breaches the terms of their tenancy agreement, in which case only 14-days notice is required to be given.

Queensland

For fixed-term tenancy agreements in Queensland, landlords cannot evict tenants unless they have breached the terms of their agreement. It is also possible to end the rental lease early with mutual agreement between the landlord and tenant.

Looking at periodic leases, the landlord needs to provide the tenant with two months advance notice to be able to prematurely end the tenancy agreement.

South Australia

Tenants in South Australia need to be given a minimum of 28 days notice to vacate the property when a fixed-term tenancy comes to an end. For periodic leases, landlords are required to give the tenant 60 days notice if they have a valid reason to terminate the agreement. Valid reasons include occupying the property themselves or demolition of the building. Without a valid reason, 90 days advance notice must be given.

Tasmania

At the end of a fixed-term agreement, landlords are required to give a minimum of 42 days notice to vacate the property with a valid reason. This includes if the landlord wants to sell the property, have family members live there, perform significant renovations, transfer ownership to someone else, or use the building for purposes aside from rentals. 42 days notice is also required should the landlord not want to renew the lease toward the end of its term. Tenants considered to be a substantial nuisance can be evicted with 14 days notice. No notice is required for nuisance tenants if taken through the courts.

Victoria

In Victoria, fixed-term rental agreements cannot be ended prematurely unless the tenant has breached their tenancy agreement.  For periodic leases, landlords are required to give a minimum of 60 days advance notice along with providing a valid reason for giving notice. Valid reasons include wanting the property for family to live in or to sell it. Without a valid reason, the landlord must give a minimum of 120 days advance notice.

Western Australia

in Western Australia, tenants must be given at least 30 days advance notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of the agreement. This is the same for periodic tenancy agreements should the landlord wish to sell the property. If the landlord wants to terminate the agreement without a valid reason, 60 days advance notice must be given. 

Landlord Accessing Your Rental

In this section, we will look at what rights you have as a tenant when it comes to your landlord accessing your rental property. The laws and regulations can vary wildly from state to state, making it hard to know your rights. We also look at emergency access to clear up any confusion.

Australian Capital Territory

If your landlord wants to access your rental property in Australian Capital Territory for a routine inspection, seven days notice must be provided. Inspections must be conducted between 8 am and 6 pm and cannot be performed on public holidays or Sundays. This is what’s known as ‘reasonable’ time. To perform an inspection outside of these times, the landlord first needs to get your consent. Over the course of the year, four inspections can be made. Typically, one is performed at the start and end of your lease, and two during the term of your tenancy.

Northern Territory

For property rentals in the Northern Territory, inspections can only be performed once every three months. The landlord or agent needs to provide a minimum of seven days notice and is not permitted to enter the property unless the tenant is present. The tenant can grant access without their presence if they so wish.

NSW

For property rentals in New South Wales, landlords are required to provide you with written notification at least 7 days in advance as a minimum. Throughout the course of 12 months, your landlord is entitled to perform up to four separate inspections.

Queensland

In Queensland, tenants need to be given seven days advance notice from their landlord before a routine inspection is made. A maximum of one inspection in any three month period is permitted.

South Australia

South Australia permits the highest number of inspections allowed in any one year. Landlords are entitled to perform an inspection every four weeks, which equates to thirteen in a 12-month period. However, to do so they will need to provide the tenant with written notice at least seven to 14 days in advance.

Tasmania

In Tasmania, landlords only need to give 24-hours advance notice to be able to enter the property for an inspection. Over the course of a year, up to four inspections can be made. However, only one inspection is permitted every three months. 

Victoria

Victoria also requires just 24-hours advance notice for general inspections. Your landlord needs to give you written notice, and can only do so twice a year. Inspections are not permitted during the first three months of commencing your tenancy. 

Landlord Emergency Access

In all states except Victoria, landlords are not required to give notice to enter the rental property in emergency situations. An emergency situation is typically considered as urgent repairs, potential property abandonment or concerns over tenant welfare. 

In the state of Victoria, landlords need to give a minimum of 24-hours notice and be given your consent to be able to enter your rental property in emergency situations.

Keeping Pets at Your Rental Property

For many people, pets are an important part of their family unit. In this section, we take a closer look at the laws that prohibit and grant tenants to legally keep pets in their rental property across the different states and territories. If you are a pet owner, you’ll find this information particularly useful.

Australian Capital Territory

In February 2019, state government laws came into force in the Australian Capital Territory regarding keeping pets in rental accommodation. All renters are entitled to keep a pet in their rental property unless the landlord can demonstrate reasonable grounds for refusal.

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, there’s currently no legislation that specifically relates to pet ownership in rental properties. Whether pet ownership is allowed or not is entirely at the discretion of the landlord. If a no-pet policy is written into the tenancy agreement, negotiation is possible. However, it is against the law for the landlord to ask for a pet bond in exchange for approval. Pet bonds are illegal in the Northern Territory.

NSW

in New South Wales, the Residential Tenancies Act does not cover pet ownership. Landlords are well within their rights to introduce a no-pet policy clause into the lease. However, it is recommended to request permission to move a pet in, even when your lease makes no mention of pet ownership.

Queensland

Pet owners in Queensland must currently get written approval from the landlord to keep a pet in the property. Upcoming state reforms are expected to change this situation so that all tenants are entitled to keep pets on the property. Currently, it’s approximated that just 10% of all landlords allow pet ownership on their properties, making it tougher than most other states for pet owners.

South Australia

In South Australia, tenants are only allowed to keep a pet at a rental property with written consent from the landlord or agent.

Tasmania

Keeping a pet in a rental property in Tasmania is much the same as in South Australia. To be able to do so, the tenant must first get consent to keep a pet in the property from the landlord.

Victoria

In Victoria, landlords are able to include a ‘no-pet’ clause in the rental lease. However, new reforms expected to be introduced in July 2020 will prohibit landlords from including ‘no-pet’ clauses. As and when this is introduced, tenants will be entitled to keep pets on the property unless the landlord can demonstrate reasonable grounds to refuse it.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, landlords must grant permission for tenants to keep a pet. The pet must be included in the rental agreement. Landlords are able to charge a ‘pet bond’ if they grant permission for keeping pets in the rental property. Western  is the only state in Australia where pet bonds are allowed. This covers any necessary fumigation and cleaning at the end of your tenancy agreement and can be a maximum of $260.

Other Tenants Rights in Australia

The legal rights of tenants renting property in Australia have some common rules and regulations that run across the board. However, while the laws are the same, the ways they are implemented can differ. It’s always good to know where you stand when it comes to your tenant rights.

Repairs

Urgent repairs that pose a danger to you or your family or disrupt your quality of life should be raised with your landlord. Landlords are required to provide an immediate response to your concern as soon as you raise it.

Urgent repairs cover situations such as gas leaks, burst water pipes and flooding, broken or blocked toilets, electrical wiring faults or damage that compromises structural integrity, etc.

For non-urgent repairs, such as general maintenance to keep the property in a habitable condition, landlords are required to carry these out as necessary.

The cost of repairs for any damage that is not the fault of the tenant is the sole responsibility of the landlord to cover. Tenants are not required to pay any fees associated with such costs.

Non-Payment of Rent

When a tenant raises concerns regarding urgent or non-urgent repairs and the landlord fails to act upon them or refuses to carry repairs out, rent cannot be withheld.

However, you are entitled to lodge an application with the tenancy tribunal to have rent payments held in another account. If granted, the landlord is unable to access rent payments until the necessary repairs are complete.

Rent Increases

Rent increases on non-fixed-term leases are allowed every six to twelve months depending on which state you reside. The only exception to this rule is the state of New South Wales, where there are currently no limits in place. However, it’s important to note that rent increases are prohibited in the first year in all states and territories.

In the Northern Territory, South Australia, West Australia and Victoria, rent can be increased every six months. In the Australian Capital Territory, rent increases can only be implemented once every 12 months.

60 days advance notice of an increase of rent must be given in all states except the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. 

Regardless of tenancy agreement type, 30 days notice must be given in the Northern Territory. In the Australian Capital Territory, 8 weeks notice is required. While in Queensland, fixed-term agreements require one month’s notice and periodic agreements require 2 months notice.

Rent increases must not be excessive. If you feel the rent increase is excessive, you can apply to the appropriate service in your state to prevent it.

Deposits

Typically, tenants are expected to pay a rental bond and rent in advance. This covers the rest of unpaid rent, tenant damage to the property, and failure to pay for services.

How much you pay will depend on the state you are renting in and the type of lease you have. Most states have limits on how much the landlord can ask you to pay in advance.

• Australian Capital Territory. A maximum of one month’s rent can be asked for in advance.
• New South Wales. Four weeks. Unless the weekly rent is less than $300, which is then capped at two weeks.
• Northern Territory. Maximum equivalent of one single rental payment period.
• Queensland. Two weeks rent in advance for periodic agreements and one month for fixed-term agreements.
• Tasmania. Capped at a maximum advance payment of one month.
• Victoria. Rental prices of less than $350 a week are capped at one month.

Bond Payment

The amount tenants will pay for a rental bond depends on the type of lease they have and the state the tenancy is held in. 

• Australian Capital Territory

Bonds to be lodged with the Office of Rental Bonds. A maximum equivalent of four weeks rent can be requested in the Australian Capital Territory.

• New South Wales. 

Bonds to be paid to the Renting Branch of the Office of Fair Trading. Rents of less than $250 a week are a maximum of four weeks for unfurnished properties and six weeks for furnished properties. For weekly rent of more than $250 a month for furnished properties, no limit is set.

• Northern Territory. 

No more than the equivalent of four weeks rent can be requested as a bond in the Northern Territory.

• Queensland. 

Bonds must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority. For rents of less than $500 a week, a maximum of four weeks can be requested. For rents above $500 a week, no limits are in place.

• South Australia. 

Bonds to be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Fund. Weekly rent of less than $250 is capped at four weeks. Weekly rent of over $250 are capped at six weeks.

• Victoria. 

Bonds are lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bonds Authorities. Weekly rentals of less than $350 a week are capped at four weeks rent. Rentals of over $350 a week will be determined by the Tribunal upon landlord application.

• Western Australia. 

The maximum bond in Western Australia is capped at an equivalent of four weeks rent.

Bond Repayment

At the end of tenancy in most territories and states, bonds need to be lodged with the appropriate bond authority.

If a dispute is raised, a third party will hold the bond until it has been resolved. In most cases, you can independently apply to receive your bond in dispute cases. 

As an example, those renting in Victoria facing a bond dispute with the landlord can directly apply to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal to receive their bond. Likewise, in NSW, the tenant would apply directly to the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal.

Reasonable Wear and Tear

When renting a property, leases and rental agreements are often filled with chameleon words. Why are they called chameleons? Because they don’t exactly come with a clear definition and can change depending on who’s claiming their meaning.

One of the finest examples of a chameleon word is wear and tear!  Some agents and landlords will scream blue murder if your hands and feet aren’t permanently encased in bubble wrap. Others are way more relaxed and get that it’s everyday people just going about their lives… and quality can sometimes deteriorate.

At the end of your tenancy, you are going to want to claim back your bond. This is where most problems arise. A few underhanded landlords have given the majority of decent landlords a bad name by trying to claim usual wear and tear as tenant damage. If you’re unlucky, you’ll end up with one of these. And boy, will you know it!

So what exactly amounts to wear and tear? Basically, any natural damage or deterioration that occurs in the property due to normal, everyday use is considered fair wear and tear. This could include:

• Scuffs and marks on the floor from furniture and foot traffic.
• Flaking paint or peeling wallpaper.
• Cracked window or door frames.
• Rusty hinges or garden gates.
• Worn down worktops in the kitchen.
• Faded or frayed curtains.
• Wall cracks from movement.
• Carpet or floor damage from leaks or flooding.
• Bathtub discolouration due to use.
• Loose electrical sockets and light switches.

And what isn’t considered as fair wear and tear when renting a property?

• Damage caused to the property or its furnishings from pets (such as a cat clawing the sofas and curtains).
• Cigarette burns or wine stains on the carpet or sofa.
• Children scratching wooden floors with something other than their feet or when moving furniture.
• Children scribbling over walls or furniture with pens, pencils or crayons.
• Unapproved renovations, such as painting the walls or changing flooring, especially if it’s a bad quality job.
• Damage to paintwork from removing posters attached with tape or Blu-Tack.
• Holes in the walls from hanging pictures or putting up shelving.
• Broken windows caused by rough play or an avoidable action from the tenant.
• Knife marks or burns on kitchen counters.
• Stained or damaged flooring caused by watering indoor plants or an overflowing bathtub.
• Broken bookshelves and tables caused by children climbing on them.

To avoid losing your bond due to excessive damage claims, you should fill in a rental condition report on the day you move in. Take note of any excessive damage and notify the landlord or agent of it and have them sign the report. Taking photo and video evidence provides you with additional proof should a claim arise.

Basically, natural deterioration of the property and its furnishings from everyday use are classed as fair wear and tear. Any damage that occurs outside of this is at the sole discretion of your landlord or property agent.

Know Your Tenant Rights by State

Stay up to date and in the know with legislation set out by your state or territory. Below, you will find links to the Residential Tenancies Act for the state you are renting in.

Australian Capital Territory	Residential Tenancies Act 1997
New South Wales	Residential Tenancies Act 1987
Northern Territory	Residential Tenancies Act 1999
Queensland	Residential Tenancies Act 1994
South Australia	Residential Tenancies Act 1995
Tasmania	Residential Tenancies Act 1997
Victoria	Residential Tenancies Act 1997
Western Australia	Residential Tenancies Act 1987

Get Ready to Get Leased.

Know exactly where you stand when it comes to your tenants rights when leasing a property through Leased. Find your dream Central Coast property today and enjoy knowing your rights as a tenant are well protected!

For more great info and advice covering rental properties, property management and building your property portfolio, check out our blog today! Everything you need to know in one smart little place.

When renting out a property in Australia, one of the most often asked questions is “is a tenant responsible for cleaning gutters?” As a general rule of thumb, the property owner is responsible for cleaning gutters in a rental property. But what exactly are a tenants cleaning obligations when renting a property?

To help you understand what’s what, let’s take a look at some of the most common rental property maintenance chores… and who it is who needs to take care of them.

Cleaning Gutters and Drains

Cleaning gutters is considered as part of property upkeep and maintenance. More often than not, guttering is an overlooked task that can result in pretty hefty additional expenses when not taken care of. Failure to clear and clean gutters and drains properly can result in:

• Water overflow resulting in damage
• Water damage to the roof
• Cracked or damaged foundations
• Bent, wart or damaged gutters
• Damp or internal mold growth 
• Damage to decks, patios and pathways

A big part of responsibility falling on to the homeowner is down to the safety of the tenant. Could you add a clause into the rental agreement that the tenant is responsible for cleaning gutters? You could try. But any additional terms that are inconsistent with the Residential Tenancies Act can be taken to the Tribunal by the tenant to be removed or bypassed.

The tenants sole responsibility for gutter cleaning is to notify the property manager or owner of any blockages or suspected damage to the guttering.

Responsibility: Landlord or Rental Property Management

Tree, Lawn and Garden Care

The person responsible for the tree, lawn and garden maintenance should be clearly listed in the lease or tenancy agreement. Of course, certain maintenance tasks are the responsibility of the property owner. 

Tree Felling and Pruning

Any trees, hedges, plants or lawns that require ongoing specialist care are typically not considered the tenant’s responsibility unless they explicitly agree.

Felling, pruning and lopping are considered as major work and is typically the responsibility of the property owner or manager. Typically, specialist equipment and knowledge are required to perform this type of maintenance. It is classified as part of the property owner or managers obligation to keep the rental property in good repair.

Fruit Trees and Fruit

If fruit bearing trees are present on the property, ownership of said fruit should be clearly written into the rental agreements special terms. If the property owner claims sole rights to pick and collect the fruit, it is also their responsibility to ensure any fallen fruit is cleared from the ground on a regular basis and trees are kept well pruned and tidy. 

Fallen Branches or Trees

This will largely depend on the size and weight of the fallen branches or trees. For small and manageable branches, the tenant is typically expected to remove them from the property. Of course, this will largely depend on their ability levels. An elderly tenant may not have the same agility as a younger tenant.

Larger branches and fallen trees that require specialist equipment such as chainsaws, cranes and chippers are the responsibilities of the property owner or manager. Damage caused to the property or yard due to fallen trees or branches is the property owner or manager’s responsibility to maintain and repair.

Yard Maintenance

If a yard maintenance company takes care of the external areas of the rental property, said company should be clearly written into the tenancy agreement. However, it’s important to note that you cannot force the tenant to pay for the maintenance in addition to their standard rental costs.

If a maintenance company is not used, the tenant is typically responsible for general tasks such as, weeding, edging and mowing. if this is the tenant’s responsibility, it should be clearly indicated in their tenancy agreement.

Responsibility: Landlord or Property Manager and Tenant

Cleaning Mould and Damp

Understanding whose responsibility it is for cleaning mold and damp largely depends on how appeared in the property. It is the tenant’s responsibility to notify the property manager or owner at the first sight of mold, mildew or damp.

When it’s the tenant’s responsibility

There are certain actions that can lead to the growth of mold or damp due to the tenant. In these situations, the tenant is liable for cleaning and repair of any damage caused by it. Some actions include:

• Chronic steam build up in bathrooms without using provided ventilation.
• Drying laundry inside the property.
• Failing to wipe down condensation from windows and walls.
• Failing to ventilate the property on a regular basis.
• Cooking without using an extractor fan.

When it’s the landlords responsibility

There are times when mould growth and damp are the responsibility of the landlord or property manager. This is usually due to improper maintenance of the property or failure to provide adequate ventilation. Here are a few examples of when a landlord is responsible for mould:

• Failure to install extractor fans in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Lack of adequate ventilation throughout the property.
• Leaking pipes or roof.
• Rising damp or pooling water due to building structure.
• Weathered or damaged walls, windows, doors or roofing.

Responsibility: Landlord or Property Manager and Tenant

Maintaining Smoke Alarms

It is the responsibility of the property manager or owner to ensure that all health and safety requirements are met with the rental property. This includes testing and cleaning smoke alarms before a rental agreement commences and replacing faulty fire alarms immediately on notification from the tenant.

However, tenants also have a responsibility to the proper care and maintenance of smoke alarms in the rental property. The tenant is responsible for:

• Replacing any nearly flat or flat batteries in the smoke alarm
• Dusting and vacuuming the smoke alarm on a regular basis
• Testing the smoke alarm at a minimum of once every year
• Not removing the battery or painting or covering the surface off the smoke alarm
• Granting the property manager or owner entry into the property to install a smoke alarm
• Informing at the property manager or owner of any issues the smoke alarm has except about batteries

The property manager or owner is responsible for ensuring that smoke alarms meet all current legislation and are installed in the rental property. The tenant is responsible for maintaining the smoke alarms and notifying the relevant people when issues arise.

Responsibility: Tenant (general) and Landlord repair or issues (Except batteries.)

Property Cleaning

Keeping the property clean and tidy is the responsibility of the tenants. As part of the tenancy agreement, it is the tenants obligation to ensure that the property remains in a hygienic and habitable condition. This includes but is not limited to:

• Keeping gardens and yards clear of trash  and food waste.
• Vacuuming, sweeping or mopping the floors or the property.
• Keeping the inside of windows clean and free of condensation.
• Disposing of trash on a regular basis.
• Cleaning up behind pets in the yard in a timely manner.
• Regularly ventilating the property by opening windows.
• Cleaning bathrooms and kitchens to prevent mould or mildew growth.
• Wiping down walls and light switches to remove grime.
• Keeping furniture included in the property protected and clean.
• Keeping hallways, stairs and communal areas clear of clutter, dirt or debris.

General cleaning within the rental property falls to the tenant. Any required cleaning that requires specialist equipment, such as steam cleaning carpets or bathrooms due to lack of care or purposeful damage can be taken from the rental bond or security deposit. Fair wear and tear is not the fault of the tenant and cannot be deducted from the security deposit. 

Responsibility: Tenant

Get it Right, Get Leased. 

Understanding your obligations as a property manager or owner is an important part of a smooth and problem-free rental process. By knowing who is responsible for what, and then clearly listing it in the residential tenancy agreement, both you and your tenant are protected.

We take property management seriously and help to make everything clear from start to finish. Find your perfect tenants today, and get ready to get Leased.