Frequently Asked Questions
Tenant FAQs
Tenancy legislation and property management issues and can be frustrating and complex. To help you out, we’ve compiled a few of the most common questions our tenants tend to ask.
If you have any questions at all - please feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly Property Managers, and they can assist you.
How often can the rent be increased?
By law, the rent during a tenancy can only be increased once every 180 days, or within the first six months of a new tenancy. Any planned in crease must be at a fair market level, and the tenant must be provided with 60 days’ notice of the increase. If an increase is appealed and the Tenancy Tribunal finds that a rent increase is unreasonable or in excess of fair market rent for the property, then they can make an order for the rent to be readjusted. Clarke Group Property Management monitors rental market trends and conducts regular rental reviews to ensure owners are receiving the most appropriate rent at a fair market level.
Who pays for water charges in a rental property?
Where a separate water meter and account is available, the tenant should pay for water usage. The landlord is responsible for paying the daily fixed charge if water is managed by Watercare. If Veolia manages the water in your area then the Tenant is liable to pay the full bill. If water is to be supplied from a tank, the landlord must ensure that it is full at the start of the tenancy.
Who pays for lawn and garden care?
As per the Act, it is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure gardens and lawns are kept in “reasonable condition”. The landlord, however, will still be responsible for trimming trees and hedges, spraying weeds, and the removal of vines.
Who is responsible for taking care of mould?
Once a tenant moves in to their new rental property, it’s their responsibility to keep it in a clean and tidy condition. This includes keeping the home in a condition that doesn’t encourage the build - up of mould as well as removing any mould as soon as it appears. However, landlords should provide adequate ventilation for the property as an additional preventative measure. There are a lot of great tools to reduce the build - up of mould and condensation such as bathroom fans, secure window stays and dehumidifiers . Clarke Group Property Management recommends that tenants use all of these methods if available, and for tenants to keep the property well aired and ventilated.
Who maintains any listed chattels?
For all chattels listed in a tenancy agreement, it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure they are in working order and properly maintained. If damage to any chattel is found to be the fault of the tenant then they may be responsible for fixing it.
Who is responsible for taking care of pests?
Typically, the landlord is responsible for providing the means to exterminate any pests from the property. However, if the tenant is found to be at fault, then the Property Manager will seek to recover the costs of pest control from them. Please be aware that this type of scenario is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and adequate proof must be shown in order to recover costs.
Who pays for insurance?
As a tenant you are responsible for your own ‘home contents insurance’ whilst landlords are responsible for insuring the property a nd chattels provided. We strongly recommend that your own contents are fully insured as a tenant.
What protection do I have if the property owner decides to sell their home?
In most cases the tenant will be compensated significantly if the Tenancy Tribunal finds that a house was sold following an unreasonably short tenancy, unless it made clear from the start that the house was to go on the market. In the case where a property is sold and there is a fixed term tenancy in place, then the tenants are entitled to choose whether or not they would like to stay on until the remainder of the term under the same agreement, with a new owner.
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