Discovering Australia

Remember to set enough money aside for the deposit. It is strongly recommended to obtain professional advice from a lawyer and/or a conveyancer before and during the process of purchasing a property. Renting with pets Tenants in rented accommodation may not be permitted to keep pets. Rules and regulations in regards pets vary from territory to territory. + In the Australian Capital Territory, renters have the right to own a pet. + In Victoria, New South Wales and in the Northern Territory, landlords may include “no pet” clauses in the tenancy agreement and their permission is needed to have a pet in a rental property. + In Queensland, a written approval from the landlord is needed for letting pets move in. + In Western Australia, renters can only keep pets if they have the landlord’s permission and the pet is included in the lease and a “pet bond” is paid. + In Tasmania and South Australia, renters are only permitted to have a pet only with landlord’s consent. If you have a pet, you may need a reference from your previous landlord stating that it was clean and well behaved. Understanding the Rental Contract Prior to signing the lease, it is important to read and understand the terms of the rental agreement. Your consultant will act as your advocate during the process. In some states, rental contracts for apartments are usually in a standard, pre-printed format, while in others there are usually minimum conditions which cannot be reduced by landlords. The contract will outline the length of time you rent the property, how much notice you need to give when you plan to move out, the rental amount, the responsibilities of both parties and it should provide a fair balance between the landlord and tenant. Be sure to read the contract carefully, as once it’s been signed, its conditions will be legally binding. Duration of Rental Contracts There are usually two types of rental agreements: fixed term agreements and periodic agreements. Fixed term agreement This type of agreement is generally signed on a six-month or one-year basis, although it can be for any period as long as the period is fixed. The fixed term agreement cannot be terminated easily before the end of the lease term. This applies to both sides, the landlord and the tenant. Tenants are liable to pay rent up to the end of the lease period. In case landlords want to early terminate the lease, tenants cannot be evicted unless the landlord obtains an eviction order. In order to be evicted a tenant must be in breach of lease, e.g. by damaging the property, failing to pay the rent, refusing the landlord entry. It is advisable not to sign a fixed-term agreement that allows for rent increases during the fixed term.

© 2020-2021 Dwellworks

Page 32

Discovering Australia