Tenant information
Thank you for your interest in applying for a property to rent with RE/MAX Coast. We hope that the following information will help you. For further information regarding renting in Qld we encourage you to visit the Residential Tenancy Authority website rtq.qld.gov.au
Application process
We accept 1Form applications which is an online application. 1Form applications are widely used in the industry and once you create a profile this will be ready for you to apply to any property and can then be updated for use later when you move again. The APPLY ONLINE button will appear on popular sites where our properties are advertised. Using this button will directly link your application to that property. Alternatively, you can go to the Tenant application form on this site.
Please provide full details with your application including identification and proof of income. Be sure to include any centrelink, government or student payments you might be receiving. If you are retired or no longer working, then a bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover your rental payments will also count as proof of income.
If you are applying with others, ensure all parties to the tenancy have applied. Applications are only processed once ALL prospective tenants have fully completed their documents.
The application process normally takes 24 – 48 hours. How quickly we can process an application normally depends on how quickly we receive accurate responses from your referees. Please make sure that you include phone and email addresses for employers and past landlords/rental agents.
TOP TIPS
- Always be honest on your application. It is better to be upfront about situations and give explanations rather than hide facts. Where we uncover dishonesty, this can disqualify an application.
- Be on time for your inspections. If you cannot make an appointment or are running late please phone or text ahead of time. Not showing up when you are expected does not make a good impression and can inconvenience multiple parties.
- Read advertisements thoroughly, they will often have all the important information you need to know like whether a property allows pets or has stairs.
- If you are renting with others ensure that everyone has their applications ready to go. Candidates have missed out on properties because one party failed to submit a full application on time. Pre-preparing your 1Form application is a great idea.
What is needed to secure the tenancy
Once you are offered the tenancy you will be asked to pay a deposit equivalent to two (2) weeks rent and to sign the tenancy agreement.
Prior to collecting keys, you will also be required to pay any outstanding bond. This is usually equivalent to four (4) weeks rent.
Paying your rent
Your rent will be due each week on the same day. This day is normally the day on which your tenancy agreement started. Rent is due for the week coming. If you have initially paid a deposit and bond then the first two (2) weeks of your tenancy will have been paid for. You will be required to pay rent from your third week onwards. Many people believe that when they end their tenancy they are two weeks in advance. This is a misconception.
To avoid rental arrears (and a potential Notice to Remedy Breach being issued) we highly recommend that you set up an automatic recurring payment via your bank or online banking facility to deposit into our trust account each week. There is typically no cost to arrange this recurring payment.
TOP TIPS:
- Always arrange a recurring payment to come out of your account the day before the payment is due. Electronic fund transfers typically take one business day to arrive into the destination account.
- Having a rental ledger that is clear of arrears is one of the most useful assets that you can have when it comes time to apply for your next rental property. When there is high competition for rental properties, a candidate with a history of regular, on-time payments will rate highly above others who have arrears noted on their ledgers and show a history of not paying on the due date (even when no notices may have been issued).
During your tenancy
Tenant portal
Once you are a tenant with us you will have access to your tenant portal. Once inside your portal, you can download rental receipts, view documents attached to your tenancy and report maintenance. If you do not have access to your tenant portal please contact your property manager. You can access your tenant portal login by clicking here.
Routine inspections
During your tenancy the property will be routinely inspected. This will happen approximately every 3 months. You will be given 7 days’ notice of a routine inspection. During the routine inspection we are checking on the general condition of the property, looking for any maintenance items and also ensuring that the property is being adequately maintained.
Maintenance
For general maintenance items, we ask that our tenants notify us of these via their tenant portal. Once in the portal you have the ability to write a description of the item plus take and upload photographs.
Where repairs are urgent please phone our office, or for after hours attention, the mobile phone of your property manager.
Emergency repairs
In the event of an emergency, and where you are unable to reach one of our team first, a tenant can arrange for a qualified person to carry out emergency repairs to a maximum value of 2 weeks rent.
According to the RTA Emergency repairs are:
- a burst water service or a serious water service leak
- a blocked or broken toilet
- a serious roof leak
- a gas leak
- a dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm, fire or impact damage
- a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply
- a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the property for hot water, cooking or heating
- a fault or damage that makes the property unsafe or insecure
- a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a tenant
- a serious fault in a staircase, lift or other common area of the property that unduly inconveniences a tenant in gaining access to, or using, the property.
All other repairs are considered routine repairs.
Ending your tenancy
Giving notice of your intention to leave – Form 13
When it comes time to end your tenancy you are required to give notice. Tenants are required to give at least 2 weeks’ notice of their intention to vacate with the vacate date being on or after the end date of the tenancy agreement.
To obtain a Form 13 – Notice of Intention to Leave download one here
To obtain a copy of an Exit Condition Report download one here
Guide to cleaning and getting your bond back
It is your responsibility as a tenant to leave a rental property in the same state as you took it on (minus fair wear and tear). The job of cleaning a property at the end of a tenancy can be tedious and we highly recommend engaging a professional who guarantees their work (ie. they are happy to delay payment until you have received the tick from your final inspection, or they will come back to fix up anything that we find).
We also offer the opportunity to have a pre-vacate meeting so we can check the property before you hand back keys. If you would like this option please contact your manager ahead of time to book an appointment.
Please download our information pack on cleaning.