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welcome Congratulations on your tenancy approval. We hope you enjoy your stay. You have been approved because we are confident that, like all our tenants, you will be able to pay the rent on time, keep the property clean and maintain the exterior of the property and grounds (where applicable). We have created this guide to assist you with being prepared for your tenancy and also to assist you with having the right expectations during your tenancy with us. We believe that a smooth relationship can only occur when we all have the same expectations, understand our responsibilities and work diligently to ensure we fulfill our obligations.
(08) 8350 4200 // rentals@mcgrathgroup.com.au // www.mcgrathgroup.com.au Disclaimer: This handbook has been prepared by McGrath Real Estate Group as a guide for our valued tenants. Our offices, employees, agents and associates believe that the information and material contained in this handbook is correct at the time of printing, but do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or currency of that information and material. To the maximum extent permitted by law, our offices, employees, agents and associates disclaim all responsibility for any loss or damage which any person may suffer from reliance on the information and material contained in this handbook, or any opinion, conclusion or recommendation in the information and material whether the loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of our officers, employees, agents and associates or otherwise. The information relating to the law in this handbook is intended only as a summary and general overview on matters of interest. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. Many factors unknown to us may affect the applicability of any statement or comment that we make to your particular circumstances and consequently you should seek appropriate legal advice from a qualified legal practitioner before acting or relying on any of the information contained in this handbook. The information contained in the handbook is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any of the information you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
finer pages part one Moving into your rental property...................................... 4 During your tenancy........................................................... 5 Rent payments................................................................... 7 Taking care: Inside the property........................................ 9 Pets at the property.......................................................... 13 Sub-letting......................................................................... 14 Vacating the property....................................................... 15 Getting the property ready for vacating........................... 17
part two Routine inspection guide: What we look out for at inspections................................. 19
getting started What you must to do first! Utility Connections: Getting Connected It is your responsibility as a tenant to ensure your power, gas, phone, internet, etc have been connected into your name. Move Me In are able to assist you with as little or as many of these connections as you desire. This is a free service and you can get started here: app.movemein.com.au Should you wish to arrange connections yourself, here is some useful information: movemein.com.au
moving into your rental property
Changing your address Ensure you change your address with your financial institution, Service SA and your employment where applicable. You can also arrange a redirection through Australia Post and this can be requested online or by completing a mail redirection form which is available from any Australia Post outlet.
Change of contact details We ask that you keep us informed of your current contact details including workplace contact details, contact numbers and email addresses at all times. Please also let us know if your Emergency Contact details change at any point, in the event that we are unable to reach you.
Locks The landlord acknowledges it is your right as the tenant to change the locks at the rental property however, you must provide a full set of keys to our office. If any padlocks are used at the property a key must also be provided to us.
Tenant Contents Insurance As a tenant it is your responsibility to effect an insurance policy to cover any contents you possess whilst occupying the property. It is important to know that any policy effected by the landlord will not cover your belongings should they become damaged or destroyed, during the tenancy.
during your tenancy General maintenance
After hours emergency repairs
We ask that during your tenancy you assist us with maintaining the property for the landlord by reporting any non-urgent general maintenance to us via our Maintenance System. When reporting maintenance we ask you to include a photo and detailed description of the maintenance that is required. The maintenance system allows for all maintenance to be properly recorded and all parties to be kept informed of the progress.
Our emergency service is available for all after hours emergencies 5 days a week from 5:15pm - 9:00pm and on weekends and public holidays from 9:00am - 9:00pm.
Please follow the details located on our Maintenance Request page.
Emergency repairs Urgent maintenance are items that require immediate attention and cannot wait until the next business day.
Please call 8350 4200, Select option 1 for all after hours emergencies and leave a detailed message including + Full Name + Contact Number + Address of the Property + Details about the issue The after hours Property Manager will be back in touch as soon as they can. Please note: An emergency does not include locking yourself out. We ask that you DO NOT report URGENT after hours maintenance via our normal Maintenance System as this program is only monitored during business hours.
They are generally items that could cause injury to the tenant or damage to the property and may include: + Water pipes that have broken or burst + Blocked or broken toilet (if a second toilet is not available)
Routine inspections & photos
+ Serious roof leak or gas leak + Dangerous electrical fault, dangerous power point, loose live wire, etc + Flooding, rainwater inundation inside the property or serious flood damage + Serious storm, fire or impact damage (i.e. impact by a motor vehicle) + Failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises + Failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the premises for water or cooking + Hot water service failure on a weekend or long weekend (this would not be considered an after hours emergency if this occurs on a week night) + Fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe or insecure + Fault likely to injure a person, cause damage or extreme inconvenience If any of these items first occur during business hours please call our office on 8350 4200 to advise straight away.
The main reasons for regular inspections is to provide a report to the landlord that you are maintaining the property, to check for any maintenance, detailing the condition and standard and make any recommendations to the landlord. Please refer to our Inspection Guide for items that we will be looking for. The inspection will include us taking photos in each area of any maintenance observed or reported inside the property and of the grounds front and back. We conduct routine inspections during business hours, generally 3 times per year. This may however vary for the initial inspection, as all our inspections are scheduled on a suburb basis and unfortunately, if your suburb is due for an inspection prior to the 17 week cycle, we will need to carry out the inspection at this time. You are not required to be present at these routine inspections. We will notify you a minimum of 7 days prior to each inspection in writing, to provide you with sufficient time to prepare and present the property in a sparkling clean manner.
At our inspections we pay particular attention to the condition of the interior, exterior and outbuildings including sheds and garages. To enable us to complete our thorough inspection, we ask that you ensure the property is cleaned and your personal belongings tidied so as not to obstruct any access. We will also check ovens and exhaust fans for cleanliness and bathrooms for mould. Should we feel that the property is suffering from undue wear and tear as a direct result of your lack of attention to cleaning and care, we will issue you a breach notice detailing what needs to be remedied, giving you at least 7 days notice to attend to these items. We will then issue you a “Notice of Entry” giving you 7-14 days notice to check the breach has been remedied as per current legislation. We can assist you and provide details of professional cleaners and gardeners that we use regularly. If you require the services or need some help and assistance maintaining your home, this will be at your cost. If you have permission for a pet to be on the premises, please ensure it is adequately restrained or removed from the premises on inspection day. Occasionally, where pets are involved (especially dogs), you may choose to be present for the inspection for your own peace of mind and in this case we look forward to seeing you there.
Water accounts Subject to the conditions of your Tenancy Agreement, you will be invoiced for your water usage and supply when we receive the account from SA Water. We request that you make your payment of this invoice within 14 days of receipt. You can pay your water invoice using the same method as your rental payments. Please ensure that the exact amount is paid to avoid funds being allocated to your rent in error.
Lease Renewals Provided that your rent has been paid on time and the property has been kept clean and undamaged, the grounds well maintained and the landlord is able to continue your tenancy, you can expect to receive an offer to renew your lease. Once you receive your offer, it is important that you sign the lease extension or if you do not wish to renew your lease, please provide us with a Form 17 (Notice of Termination) within the timeframe noted on the offer. We commence Lease Renewal discussions with your landlord approximately 3-4 months prior to the lease expiring. This is to ensure that we can provide you with the required notice of the owners intentions, which may include: + Renewal of lease offered with/without a rent increase depending on current market + Change of owner’s circumstances and request to vacate with a prescribed reason It is important that if you receive an offer of renewal that you complete, sign and return it to us to confirm your intention by the requested date, but no later than 28 days prior to the expiration of the current lease term. It is also important that if your circumstances have changed and you intend to vacate at the end of the term, that you notify your Property Manager by completing a Vacating Notice no later than 28 days prior to the lease expiring.
Landlord mail & contact Should you receive mail addressed in the landlord’s name (their name is on your tenancy agreement) please forward this mail to our office as soon as possible. If you have any questions that you would like raised with the landlord throughout your stay, please contact your property manager directly to discuss.
rent payments You can pay your rent weekly, fortnightly or calendar monthly however, it is important that the rent is paid and maintained at least two weeks in ADVANCE at all times. We are sure that you will enjoy the convenience, simplicity and flexibility of payment options available through the use of the DEFT system. If for any reason you are unable to pay your rent on time, please contact your Property Manager to discuss options as soon as possible. Please note that in line with the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, a late notice will be issued for any rent arrears in excess of four days. These communications and any subsequent breach notices are recorded against your tenancy records and can impact on future tenancy applications.
How to pay your rent
Understanding rent in advance
You will need your DEFT REFERENCE NUMBER in order to pay your rent and water invoices throughout your tenancy.
Throughout your tenancy it is important that your rent is always paid in advance. It is important to note the first 2 weeks rent paid is for your first 2 weeks of tenancy. Paying rent in advance works exactly the same way.
The DEFT system is a facility provided by Macquarie Bank. Payments through your financial institution The Biller Code for your BPAY payment is 4481. Your Reference Number is your DEFT Reference Number.
Enter the unique PayID email DEFTReferenceNumber@DEFT.com.au Macquarie Bank – DEFT System If you have access to the internet, go to www.deft.com.au to make a payment online quickly and easily, you will need to register with DEFT to: + Make a payment now + Schedule future dated or recurring payments + View, change or delete future dated or recurring payments If you have any questions on the DEFT payment system please call 1300 30 10 90. Please Note: We are unable to accept cash or cheque payments.
Zero tolerance policy for late rent payment We pride ourselves on careful tenant qualification and screening processes. Applications are approved ONLY on the grounds that we are confident that the rent will be paid on time, every time. However, a minority of tenants still get behind in their rent despite all of our tenant screening procedures. As we do not know who this will be when we sign tenancy agreements, we need to advise each tenant our zero tolerance policy for late rent payments.
You purchase the 2 weeks upfront and then occupy the property for that time period. Once the time period has finished, you then pay for the next period of the lease, while residing at the property. This is what is meant by ‘rent in advance’ and therefore, the initial 2 weeks rent is NOT held in trust for the end of tenancy.
taking care: inside the property Misplaced keys
Heaters
If you have misplaced your keys during business hours you may come to our office and borrow our set and return them within 24 hours. If you have misplaced your keys after hours, you will need to call a locksmith to assist you back into the property. Please note the locksmith will be at YOUR expense as the tenant.
Please ensure any combustion heaters are kept clean of ash build up, and also ensure a protective mat is placed in front of the heater, to protect against coals and ash falling out and scorching/ damaging carpets or floors. For other heaters, please ensure that no combustible or flammable material is placed on or near heaters to avoid a fire risk.
IMPORTANT! Most modern window fly screens can only be removed from the inside of the property. Attempting to remove them from the outside will result in damage to the fly screen frame and the fly screen having to be repaired or replaced at your cost. This may cost more than what it would cost to have a locksmith attend the property to allow you access back in.
Property damage If property damage has occurred you are obligated to let us know immediately, or on the next business day if it has coccured on a weekend or public holiday.
Strict no smoking policy All properties have a strict no smoking inside policy. If a tenant is found to have smoked inside the property, they WILL be responsible for the cost of specialised cleaning and deodorising of the inside of the property to reduce and eliminate unpleasant smoke odours. This can easily become hundreds of dollars. If you or a visitor do smoke, this must be outside and ashtrays must be used. Please ensure that butts are not put in the garden beds.
Smoke alarms/RCD’s Air conditioner Please regularly clean any filters and intake vents to ensure there is no build-up of dirt and dust so that the unit is able to draw in air effectively. This will avoid hindering the performance, or in the worst case scenario, causing the unit to breakdown resulting in costly repairs and/or replacement. Please also note that if an air conditioner breaks down due to filters and vents not being kept clean, costs to rectify the damage or even replace the unit might be charged to you.
Should you believe for any reason the smoke alarm(s) and/or Residual Currency Device/s (RCD’s) installed are not working or the batteries are not functioning, please let us know immediately. Protect your safety by being vigilant and report any issues to us. Please do not change the batteries either. McGrath Real Estate Group has employed a company to monitor the alarm annually or the landlord will arrange the replacement batteries.
Washing curtains House cracking & movement
Most curtains and netting are washable however, some are only suitable for dry cleaning.
Please let us know if you notice any cracks to walls, ceilings and movement. If cracks were in place when you moved in, please let us know if you notice them worsening or growing larger.
Be sure to check any labels and seek further clarification from your property manager as needed prior to washing.
Please either report these through our Maintenance System or point them out to us while we are onsite at a routine inspection.
Termites Termites will quickly eat through a property and can cause extensive damage. Signs like wood (doorways, skirting boards, timber/wooden roof beams etc.) becoming brittle, sounding hollow when tapped on knocked and/or the presence of mud deposits are the tell-tale signs of termites, other than seeing termites themselves. Another warning sign inside can be blistering/lifting paint on inside walls, as they are known to eat away the paper backing to gyprock walls. This can cause the plaster to crumble away allowing the termites to come to the wall surface, staying just under the paint lining. Wood lying around outside and even wooden furniture outside can attract and encourage them. Dripping outdoor taps next to the house can also cause damp and favourable conditions for termites.
Carpet Cleaning Carpets benefit from regular cleaning every 6 to 12 months as part of normal household ‘Tenant’ maintenance, with the ideal time being after winter or at the end of a prolonged wet period. Professional carpet cleaning is recommended as a ‘Tenant’ maintenance best practice to help preserve the appearance and longevity of the carpet; however, it is not a requirement. Where carpets are cleaned by other methods, care should be taken to avoid over-wetting as this can in turn cause damage.
Minor Alterations to the Property Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), tenants must obtain the landlord’s written consent before making alterations or additions to the rented property. This includes, but is not limited to, the installation of items such as bidets, PuraTap® water filtration systems, shelving, wall-mounted televisions, picture hooks requiring drilling, additional fixtures, or any modification that alters the property in any way. Approval must be obtained before any works commence, and in some cases the landlord may require the installation to be completed by a suitably qualified tradesperson. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, tenants may also be required to restore the property to its original condition at the end of the tenancy. If you are considering making any changes to the property, please contact your Property Manager first to discuss your proposal and obtain the necessary written approval.
General cleaning It is expected that the property be kept reasonably clean and this is also a condition in your residential tenancy agreement. Pay particular attention to: + Walls, switches, power points, skirting boards, doors and doorways. Please keep these free from marks and dirty finger marks. + Cobwebs/dusting Please remove cobwebs from windows, walls and ceilings. Ensure vents, light fittings and ceiling fans are dusted regularly. + Curtains/blinds Keep these cleaned, dusted and also (if suitable) machine wash or dry clean curtains and netting on an annual basis. + Windows/sills/window tracks and fly screens Keep regularly cleaned and dusted. + Floors Please keep floors regularly swept and mopped, ensuring you are using a dry mop on timber surfaces. Wet areas may need to be scrubbed to keep surfaces, tiles and grout looking clean. + Ventilation Please ensure that all rooms are kept adequately ventilated to avoid problems associated with condensation, causing mould and possible health problems. Pay particular attention to the bathroom / ensuite in Winter. + Wet areas, bathroom, toilet and laundry grouting/tiles Please ensure all tiles are kept free from grime, soap scum and mould.
Kitchen + Chopping boards Please ensure chopping boards are used on bench tops, so that bench tops are protected from unnecessary cut marks and associated damage. + Bench-top joins Be on the lookout for joins in the bench-top that have gaps, or the surface laminate has started to bulge or lift at a join. Please let us know if this is starting to occur, as this may indicate moisture has seeped into a join and is swelling the chipboard underneath. + Grouting/Tiling/Taps Be sure that if you notice grouting or silicone sealing coming off/loose around any tiles near or around the taps and/or taps dripping/leaking to let us know via our maintenance system. If moisture should get in between tiles, this can damage the wall behind and even seep into chipboard that is usually present in bench tops causing swelling and irreversible damage to the wood.
+ Oven and Stove Tops Please ensure that the stove tops, grillers and ovens are kept free of burnt on food. Food, crumbs and spills when left long enough become burnt on, blackened and carbonised, making them very difficult to remove. Please use care when using scourers as these may scratch and damage enamel surfaces. Use a spray on product when cleaning stoves/ovens. Be sure to read and follow the product instructions carefully, as even though these types of products are very effective, they tend to contain harmful caustic fumes and require rubber gloves to be worn at all times when using the product. Please also check that the product is suitable for the type of surface you are applying it to, as some surfaces, like stainless steel, may become permanently marked/stained using an oven cleaner. + Exhaust fans/vents and range hoods Please ensure any vents and range hood filters are kept clean + Dishwasher If a dishwasher is provided as part of your tenancy, it needs to be cleaned on a regular basis including the filter to ensure the removal of any build up of food.
Wet areas: bathrooms, toilets & laundry + Foreign objects down drains Please take care not to allow children to place toys or other items down drains. Please do not flush foreign objects like sanitary products down the toilet. If a plumber is employed by us to clear pipes, drains, basins or sinks and it is determined that the blockage was caused by something considered foreign, this expense will be billed to the tenant for payment. + Wall water damage Should you notice water damage to a wall adjacent to a shower recess, bathroom basin etc please let us know immediately via our maintenance system. This can be identified by bubbling/ peeling paint, or water/mould marks to the flooring. This usually indicates either loose tiles or a broken/leaking pipe in the wall and will need attending to immediately to prevent further damage from occurring. + Taps leaking Water trickling or leaking into the bowl from the cistern usually indicates a worn cistern valve that needs to be fixed by a plumber. Water left to trickle into the bowl continuously may inflate your water bill and therefore, needs to be reported to us via our maintenance system when noticed. Leaking may also occur from the tap behind the toilet. + Hot water system leaks Should you notice the hot water service leaking from the valve or from the base of the unit please let us know via our maintenance system. The leaking valve is usually fixable by a plumber however, water leaking from the base of a hot water service usually indicates the unit has rusted through and may need replacement in the near future.
Outside the property
Swimming pools & outdoor spas
+ Watering systems/reticulation Please ensure that all watering systems are working properly and are checked regularly throughout the tenancy to ensure they continue to work effectively. Watering systems can only be used should current water restrictions allow. It is the tenant’s responsibility to check the reticulation is set to the correct watering days and times.
If the property you are renting has a swimming pool and/or spa please pay attention to the following:
+ Weeding and shrub trimming Unless included in the Tenancy Agreement, weeding of garden beds, lawns, paths, paving and other outside areas are the responsibility of the tenant. Minor pruning of bushes and shrubs in and around the garden is also the responsibility of the tenant. + Lawn maintenance Please ensure that lawns are regularly mowed and edged, keeping them neat and tidy. Should you wish to pay someone to regularly mow your lawn, let us know and we would be happy to recommend a service to you. + Supplied hoses/fittings Supplied hoses, fittings and accessories must be kept in good condition and please ensure that everything is returned and in place upon vacating the property, free of any damage. + Rubbish Please ensure any rubbish and unwanted items are regularly removed from the property. This includes car parts, tyres, lawn clippings, cans and bottles, and other items that can be considered rubbish. + Oil drips/spillage Any cars parked on driveways, under carports and garages must have a drip tray placed underneath. Only if the vehicle does not drip any oil at all is a drip tray not required. Please also note that any visitor’s cars must be parked off the premises if they drip oil. Should oil drips/spillage occur at any time, this must be cleaned up immediately to prevent oil seeping in and permanently staining. Please note any permanent staining will result in compensation being charged to the tenant. + Parking on lawns/gardens It is important that at no time cars or any type of vehicle to be parked on lawns, gardens or any area not created for or designated as a vehicle parking area. Damage to lawns and landscaping can be costly. Engine oil drips/spillage to gardens and lawns will also create permanent damage to the soil area, being costly to rectify. Any damage of this type will be charged to tenants in full.
+ Pool/spa cleaning Pool/spa cleaning and maintenance will be a tenant’s responsibility unless it is agreed that the landlord will be providing a regular cleaning and maintenance service. Please note: that if regular cleaning does not occur by the tenant, high costs can be incurred to bring it back to its original clean state. If this occurs, this will be at your cost. It is also a tenant’s responsibility to ensure that the pool/spa is kept topped up with water, and you must not empty the pool/spa without written approval from us. + Pool safety We must be notified immediately if fences and gates are not functioning correctly or the gate fails to self-close promptly when opened. State pool/spa regulations must be adhered to at all times.
pets at the property Should the landlord grant permission to keep pets as per your tenancy agreement and/or an approved pet request, the following conditions apply for the duration of this tenancy and any renewal or extension:
+ Yard kept clean Keep the yard clean and free from animal faeces at all times. + Rubbish kept cleared Clean up any rubbish or items scattered by the pet. + Flea infestation In the event of any fleas or flea eggs being present as a result of the animal, you will need to arrange for flea fumigation of the property prior to and upon/after vacating the premises. This is at tenant cost. + Damage rectification Repair any damage to the premises caused by the animal and immediately rectify any damage caused to garden irrigation systems and fittings. + Garden damage Replace plants or vegetation damaged or destroyed by the pet directly, or indirectly (i.e. plants, grass/lawn perished due to garden irrigation system damaged by the pet). + By-laws and local council Abide by all strata By-Laws, local, city or state laws, licensing and health requirements regarding pets, including vaccinations. + Disturbance and noise The pet shall not cause any sort of nuisance or disturbance to neighbours. Noise, whether during the day or night, must not disturb others. You must do whatever is necessary to keep the pet from making noise that would annoy others and take steps to immediately rectify complaints made by neighbours or other tenants. Failure to comply with these terms will give the owner the right to revoke permission to keep the pet and is also grounds for further action and possible eviction.
sub-letting & property use Without written approval, subletting is not permitted This includes assigning the tenancy over to a third party or allowing other occupants to move in without our express permission. Permission usually involves a formal application being completed and submitted by the prospective tenant/occupant with approval to be granted by the Landlord.
Property for residential use only The property is for residential use and can only be used as a place of dwelling unless otherwise agreed to in writing by us. The property cannot be used for commercial, industrial or illegal purposes. The use of the property cannot breach local council zoning regulations and legislation.
vacating the property Notice in writing
+ Outstanding accounts Please ensure that any monies outstanding i.e. water, any damages, compensation amounts and break lease fees are paid.
When you intend to vacate the property we require your formal notice in writing using the appropriate form.
+ Keys Ensure that all keys, remote controls etc have been returned
Termination Notice: + Form 17 - Fixed Term Tenancy + Form 16 - Periodic Tenancy
Breaking a fixed term Should you wish to vacate during a fixed term lease, we will commence advertising once you have removed all your belongings and returned possession of the property. In the case of breaking a fixed term lease, the following costs will be incurred: + Rent The tenant must continue to pay rent until the day before a new tenancy begins, up to a maximum of 4 weeks. + Fees Re-letting fees and advertising costs to re-let the premises This is calculated in accordance with legislation.
Criteria for getting your bond back promptly At the end of your tenancy you will no doubt want your bond refunded as soon as possible after you vacate. For your full bond to be paid back to you quickly, you will need to ensure the following occur: + Rent Any outstanding rent is paid promptly. + Property ready The property is cleaned (inside and outside) and grounds returned to their ingoing condition. Carpets may need to be cleaned where there is discolouration or evidence of a pet being at the property. Please follow the ‘Getting the Property Ready for Vacating’ (Guide at the end of this handbook). The property must also pass the final inspection conducted by our agency.
Once these criteria have been met we can then refund your bond. Delays in refunding your bond, in all cases, relate to one or more of the above criteria not being met.
Outstanding rent Please note that it is against the tenancy legislation to withhold rent at the end of your tenancy with the intention for this to be deducted from the bond. Your rent must be paid in full, leaving your bond intact.
Cleaning Please use the ‘Getting the Property Ready for Vacating’ guide at the end of this booklet. It is also important to understand that cleaning thoroughly can be hampered by tiredness after moving into another property. We do encourage you to employ a cleaner so this process is not compromised. Should the cleaning process not be completed thoroughly, this can result in extra costs associated in rectifying any cleaning issues and will also delay the return of your bond. If you would like some recommendations, please don’t hesitate to contact your property manager.
Carpet cleaning At the end of most standard tenancies, carpet cleaning is recommended as part of preparing the property for handover. Professional carpet cleaning is considered best practice. If you choose to clean the carpets yourself, be aware that many do-ityourself hire machines may not provide the same level of cleaning or effectively extract excess moisture. As a result, carpets may not be cleaned to the desired standard and may remain overly wet, increasing the risk of damage or mould growth. If you would like recommendations for professional carpet cleaning services, please don’t hesitate to contact your property manager.
The final inspection Only once the property has been fully vacated, cleaned, grounds made ready and keys returned, can we commence our final inspection. It is important to note that if a date for the final inspection has been set and you are aware that you will not be fully ready for the inspection, please call us as soon as possible to discuss the options. Note: rent will be charged until all property keys are returned. We do not wish to travel to the property for the inspection and find the property not 100% ready. This will delay the bond finalisation process and effect future rental references. In some cases, we may need to charge a fee if we are not able to complete the inspection as a result of no communication being received from you to change the appointment.
getting the property ready for vacating + Mail Redirection Please ensure that all mail is re-directed to your new address. You can complete a form with Australia Post to assist with this. + Utilities Please ensure all electricity, gas, phone, etc., providers are advised and accounts are cancelled accordingly. + Appliance manuals Please leave them on the kitchen counter. + Keys Please ensure you have returned all keys issued to you at the start of tenancy and any extra keys you may have had cut. + NBN If you have NBN connected at the property, please ensure that you leave the NBN box and cables as this belongs to the property.
Inside the property Walls Clean off any dirty marks, scuff marks, finger or food marks, etc
Fly Screens Brushed and dusted down. (Please be aware most modern sliding aluminum windows allow for the fly screens to be taken off from the inside only, once the sliding part of the window has been removed first. Attempting to take them off from the outside may result in damaging them). Screen Doors Front and back including frames —wiped clean and screen wire brushed. Kitchen Clean all filters and framework for rangehood. Inside and outside of cupboards and drawers. Stoves/Oven Clean stove top, control display, knobs, panels around knobs, any pull out or in-built drip trays, griller racks, trays and any inserts, oven racks, trays and oven bottom, walls and oven roof. A good oven cleaner will clean most ovens — however, it is of importance that you read the instructions carefully on the product. Some cleaners can actually hinder oven surfaces (like stainless steel), and some products have dangerous caustic fumes. Therefore use with extreme caution!
Ceilings Please remove any cobwebs and marks.
Bathroom Clean sink, mirror, cabinet, vanity unit and drawers, shower recess, glass screen and screen doors, bath and wall tiles. Please ensure all sinks and baths have a plug available.
Ceiling Mould Please clean off (particularly wet areas and sometimes in bedrooms).
Toilet Clean cistern, seat, inside, outside and around the base of the bowl. Don’t forget the skirting tiles around the toilet.
Light Fittings Clean off dust and remove any dead insects inside light covers.
Laundry Clean both the inside and outside of the trough and underneath. Please ensure a plug is present.
Ceiling Fans Wipe fan blades and tops of fittings to remove dust build up Skirting Wipe down with a damp cloth. Doorways & doors Wipe down with a damp cloth Windows Clean inside and out — (please note — nearly all modern aluminium sliding windows can be lifted and pulled out for easy cleaning. Wipe out dust build up and any dead insects on window sills and tracks. A vacuum cleaner and paint brush can really help here.
Tiling Make sure all tiling and grouting to the kitchen, toilet, bathroom and laundry areas are clean. Exhaust Vents and fan covers are clean of any dust and dirt. Air Conditioners Front vents and filters must be cleaned of built up dirt. Modern systems (wall type) — filters easily pull out and can be brushed down with a hand brush. If there is a ducted reverse cycle air conditioner unit, the air intake filter should be cleaned. This is usually on the ceiling in the passage area.
Air Conditioning Ceiling Duct Vents Clean down if dusty or dirty Cupboards/Drawers Clean/wash inside and out. Doors / door frames, front and back of doors need to be cleaned. Curtains Wash any washable curtains and netting. If other curtains are visibly dusty or dirty consider dry-cleaning. Blinds If you have venetian blinds, clean off blind slats. Any other type of blinds should be able to be wiped down. Floors To be mopped/washed if needed – please ensure corners and hard to get areas are also cleaned Carpets It is recommended that the carpets are professionally cleaned. Contact us for professional carpet cleaning recommendations. Garages and tool sheds Remove any items from inside and behind garages and tool sheds that belong to you, including rubbish.
Outside the property Lawns Freshly mowed and edged. Gardens Remove any weeds, rubbish and built up leaves etc. Rubbish Remove any rubbish that you have placed at the property. Be sure to check behind sheds, under shrubs and trees. This includes piles of lawn clippings and compost. Sweep Sweep paths and paved areas. Oil Spillage Removal Clean carpet and garage floors, paths and driveway. If you have used a barbecue, check for any grease spots and spillages etc.
If you have a pet Pet droppings Remove from gardens, lawns and any out of the way areas. Please dispose of in the bin — do not bury them. Pet urine Remove/clean where your pet may habitually urinate (base of walls, verandah posts, etc). Pet stains To outside walls. Check where your pet regularly lies down, there might be telltale signs on walls etc. Pet claw damage Check screen doors, fly screens and curtains. Please replace the screen wire if required. Pet chew damage Ensure watering systems are free of any chew damage and are repaired accordingly. Pet hair Ensure any visible pet hair inside is removed. Fumigation If your lease stipulates fumigation, please ensure this is arranged.
routine inspection guide: what we look out for at inspections
Inside the property Walls/light switches, doorways and doors are clean and marks removed Carpets are clean and stain free Windows, tracks and screens are clean Kitchen area clean and oven/stove top is free of burnt on food and carbon staining Shower, bathroom, toilet, laundry and all tiling is clean All areas and rooms are fully accessible (not locked)
Outside the Property Lawns are freshly cut/edged and maintained Gardens tidy and presentable/weeds removed Rubbish/lawn clippings removed No unregistered car bodies on the property Oil stains removed from carports, garages and driveways All areas, garages, store room, sheds etc are accessible Swimming pool/spa - water, sides and bottom are clean
If you have an approved pets Any droppings are picked up and removed Any pet damage or rubbish scattered is repaired and cleaned up Ensure all/any dogs are properly restrained for the inspection
notes
The McGrath promise to you... At McGrath Real Estate you have the right to expect the following standards from us: You will receive friendly, courteous and awesome service. You will be respected and not taken for granted. We will honour our commitments to you absolutely. Our products, marketing and services will always be of exceptional quality and are designed to add, significantly, to achieving you the best possible result. We will communicate with you frequently and openly as we build a long term partnership with you. Our people are the most highly trained in their field to ensure you receive the best possible outcome achievable for your tenancy. Your feedback, which is critical to our continual innovation and improvement will be acted upon as your ideas, comments and suggestions are important to us.
We hope you enjoy your stay!
42 Brighton Road, Glenelg SA 5045 08 8350 4200 mcgrathgroup.com.au