Tenants Guide
Managing your tenancy agreement should be a straightforward and simple process, so we have developed a guide that we hope will assist you in getting comfortable in your new home, and throughout your tenancy.
Tenant Communication
While we are more than happy to chat, all tenant requests must be received in writing – we prefer for you to use one of our online forms, but you can also mail or email the forms provided in your tenant kit or download them from this website. To ensure that we have up to date records, please ensure that you advise us of any changes to telephone numbers during your tenancy.
Payment of Rent
Tenants must pay rent in advance as part of the signed tenancy agreement. Rent in full is due on or before the due date – Rental payments are strictly by our range of DEFT banking options. As part of making it easier for you to pay your rent Investors Choice Property Services also offers the opportunity to earn frequent flyer points or other rewards as via the Rental Rewards payment system. Contact us to find out further information.
Late Payment of Rent
You must contact Investors Choice Property Services if you are unable to pay your rent by the due date. A good tenant respects that the landlord relies on rent being paid on time. Late payment of rent is treated very seriously. Whilst we understand there are at times unforeseen circumstances that may result in delayed rental payments, Investors Choice Property Services has a strict rent arrears procedure that will be maintained regardless of the reason. You will receive a reminder via SMS, letter and/or phone call should your rent be late. Eviction processes commence if your rent is 14 days late. If you happen to fall into arrears please contact your property manager immediately to discuss.
Rental Bond
The rental bond is paid at the beginning of your tenancy and is lodged in trust with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority as security against any damage or undue wear and tear. When you have vacated your property and handed keys back we will conduct your final inspection. The condition of the property will be closely compared to the entry condition report signed at the start of your tenancy. The bond will be refunded promptly after you vacate, provided the property is left in as close as possible condition as when the tenancy agreement commenced (allowing for fair wear and tear) and there are no other monies owing.
Repairs and Maintenance
All maintenance requests must be submitted to our office in writing. Please ensure to provide as much information as possible as well as authorization to access the property for the repairs to be done. You may also wish to include photos to assist us in a quicker response to the issue. In most instances your request must be approved by the landlord and or quotes obtained prior to any work commencing so unfortunately a delay is sometimes unavoidable.
Once approval has been obtained, maintenance appointments are made between the tenant and the tradesperson. If a tenant is not home at the agreed meeting time, the tenant will be responsible for the standard tradesperson call out fee. Please click here to submit a maintenance request online, or click here to download our maintenance request form.
An emergency repair is defined by the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 as:
Urgent maintenance requests must be reported to Investor Choice Property Services, unless the issue occurs outside of business hours (Mon – Fri). Please refer to your lease for emergency contacts. If you need to call a tradesperson for an urgent repair, please let us know the next working day.
PLEASE NOTE: If the repair is not considered an emergency repair or is found to be caused by negligence, the tenant will be responsible for payment of the service. Prior to making a maintenance request, please refer to our trouble shooting guide which may be able to assist in resolving your maintenance issue.
Tenant Communication
While we are more than happy to chat, all tenant requests must be received in writing – we prefer for you to use one of our online forms, but you can also mail or email the forms provided in your tenant kit or download them from this website. To ensure that we have up to date records, please ensure that you advise us of any changes to telephone numbers during your tenancy.
Payment of Rent
Tenants must pay rent in advance as part of the signed tenancy agreement. Rent in full is due on or before the due date – Rental payments are strictly by our range of DEFT banking options. As part of making it easier for you to pay your rent Investors Choice Property Services also offers the opportunity to earn frequent flyer points or other rewards as via the Rental Rewards payment system. Contact us to find out further information.
Late Payment of Rent
You must contact Investors Choice Property Services if you are unable to pay your rent by the due date. A good tenant respects that the landlord relies on rent being paid on time. Late payment of rent is treated very seriously. Whilst we understand there are at times unforeseen circumstances that may result in delayed rental payments, Investors Choice Property Services has a strict rent arrears procedure that will be maintained regardless of the reason. You will receive a reminder via SMS, letter and/or phone call should your rent be late. Eviction processes commence if your rent is 14 days late. If you happen to fall into arrears please contact your property manager immediately to discuss.
Rental Bond
The rental bond is paid at the beginning of your tenancy and is lodged in trust with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority as security against any damage or undue wear and tear. When you have vacated your property and handed keys back we will conduct your final inspection. The condition of the property will be closely compared to the entry condition report signed at the start of your tenancy. The bond will be refunded promptly after you vacate, provided the property is left in as close as possible condition as when the tenancy agreement commenced (allowing for fair wear and tear) and there are no other monies owing.
Repairs and Maintenance
All maintenance requests must be submitted to our office in writing. Please ensure to provide as much information as possible as well as authorization to access the property for the repairs to be done. You may also wish to include photos to assist us in a quicker response to the issue. In most instances your request must be approved by the landlord and or quotes obtained prior to any work commencing so unfortunately a delay is sometimes unavoidable.
Once approval has been obtained, maintenance appointments are made between the tenant and the tradesperson. If a tenant is not home at the agreed meeting time, the tenant will be responsible for the standard tradesperson call out fee. Please click here to submit a maintenance request online, or click here to download our maintenance request form.
An emergency repair is defined by the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 as:
- a burst water service
- a broken or malfunctioning appliance, fitting or fixture causing a substantial waste of water
- a blocked or broken toilet
- a serious roof leak
- a gas leak
- a dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm or fire damage
- a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
- a failure or breakdown of an essential service for hot water, cooking or heating appliance
- any fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe or insecure
Urgent maintenance requests must be reported to Investor Choice Property Services, unless the issue occurs outside of business hours (Mon – Fri). Please refer to your lease for emergency contacts. If you need to call a tradesperson for an urgent repair, please let us know the next working day.
PLEASE NOTE: If the repair is not considered an emergency repair or is found to be caused by negligence, the tenant will be responsible for payment of the service. Prior to making a maintenance request, please refer to our trouble shooting guide which may be able to assist in resolving your maintenance issue.