What Are My Rights When Getting Accommodations in Australia?
It is is normal to be worried about where you will stay when you shift to Australia let alone for studies or work.
So, it is totally normal to be curious about how your rights can be protected as tenants. You must know these laws even before you rent or lease, but if you face any problem after you rent or lease, it is best to consult a lawyer on how you should proceed.
Things To Keep in Mind When You Rent A Place in Australia:
- Visit the place in person before you sign the agreement, pictures are deceptive and even videos are not trustworthy.
- Make sure the one you are signing the agreement with is the registered owner of the house, do not get scammed by middle agents who cheat immigrants.
- A rental Bond (security deposit) and 4 months’ rent in advance are the only monetary charges any landowner can charge you during the lease signing.
- Make sure the rental bond money you paid is held by the rental authority of your state or your land owner (in case of private property) as only that warrants you getting your money back safely when moving out.
- Do not pay the rental bond to any of your roommates or other third parties make sure you fill out the form necessary and only pay it..
- Never sublet from a third party without having your name on the lease agreement, only this can protect your legal rights.
- Make sure you get a copy of the condition report before you move in from your landlord.
- The condition report is to protect the tenant in case the land owner charges for the damages not done by you.
- So, be sure to check the condition report and if you find it being vague or do not mention the actual condition of the property you rented, make note of it immediately.
- In case you do not have any corrections, then you must submit the report back within 5 days of settling in.
- Collect valid proof of anything you might find and keep it safe until the end of your lease to claim it when you are charged for them unwantedly.
If you are wondering where you can stay:
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What Can You Ask For As A Tenant:
- Make sure every appliance promised in the rental agreement is working and if not the owner is responsible for getting it fixed before you move in.
- Make sure the place you are renting will pass the health check, so check for moulds, pests or any kinds of infections and that is why it is extremely advisable to check them in person.
- You have the right to deny entry to your house even to the landlord if it was not notified a week prior. They are legally capable of visiting every 3 or 6 months but only after a week’s notice.
- In case your landlord has broken the lease agreement, you can call the necessary local rental rights body and break the lease without any penalty or fix your issues as you deem fit.
- In case you want to move out before your lease period is over, make sure that you sign the agreement for lesser months because you can renew it later and also try to bargain on the lease breakage fees even before you sign the agreement.
- You have the right to get an extra month (30 days) once your lease ends and the landlord doesn’t want to renew the lease.
Must Follow Rules For Tenants:
- Pay your rent on time.
- Do not cause noise or sound pollution that will disturb your neighbours.
- Return the property as it was.
- Maintain your area well, and do not cause trouble in terms of cleanliness or waste disposal.
- Make sure you follow the rules before you expect the landlord to abide by them.
- In case you are sure, your landlord is cheating you, handling your complaints without any sincerity, or discriminating against you, immediately complain to the nearest rental authority.
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