Tenant Services

The following information will assist you in dealing with McColms First National and ensure a trouble free tenancy.
Office Hours
Monday to Friday               8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday                          8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sunday                            Our office is closed.
Rental Payments
Unless other arrangements are made, rent under your Residential Tenancy Agreement will be payable in advance weekly fortnightly or monthly.  If at any time you are unable to make a rental payment, on or before the due date, please make immediate contact with your Property Manager.
Method of Payment
1)       Direct debit 2)       Cheque   3)   Cash
Water Usage: (If applicable)
The tenant shall be entitled to 200kl of water during each six month tenancy. Any water usage in excess of that amount shall be paid for by the tenant at the rate charged by the local authority and should be paid with your next month’s rent or sent to our office by cheque made payable to McColms First National.  Do NOT pay Water charges direct.
Rental Bond
Your rental bond will be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority.  The bond is held as security against any damage or undue wear and tear.  The bond will be refunded promptly after you vacate, provided the property is left in as close as possible the same condition as when the Residential Tenancy Agreement commenced (allowing for fair wear and tear) and there are no other monies owing.
Periodic Inspections During the course of your tenancy, the premises will be inspected periodically by McColms First National after 7 days notice has been given to you.  Three months after you move into the premises, an inspection will be carried out .  Our office will contact you in advance to make arrangements for a mutually convenient time.  Thereafter, provided that everything is in order, further inspections will be on a six monthly basis.
Keys
A duplicate key to all properties is retained by McColms First National for emergency access.  Under special circumstances, and on producing identification, the keys can be borrowed, during office hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), but must be returned within twenty-four (24) hours.  No service is available out of office hours or on public holidays. It would be therefore advisable, that you also make private arrangements regarding the location of a spare key, should you inadvertently lock yourself out. Should it be necessary to call us out of hours to gain entry to your rented premises, a call out charge of $25.00 will be made. Locks may only be changed, after first obtaining permission from McColms First National or the Landlord, and then on the strict understanding that you supply us with a spare set of keys.  Remember, it is in your best interests to ensure that we have access to your property.
Insurance We strongly urge you to insure that your personal possessions against any loss damage or theft.  The landlord has no obligation to insure your personal belongings.

Electricity, Gas and Telephone It is each tenants' responsibility to have the appropriate account placed in their names and then to arrange to have a meter reading, prior to vacating the premises.  The following are the contact numbers for these authorities:
	Electricity Gas Phone	Ergon Energy  Origin Energy   Elgas Telstra	Telephone: 131 046 Telephone: 132 462 Telephone: 131 161 Telephone: 132 200
UTILITY ONE can organise the connection of your gas, electricity, telephone and water. The service is free to use and doesn't involve any additional contracts. You'll still have to pay any bonds and connection fees that would normally apply, but we promise to ensure you don't pay any additional charges for our service.
To take advantage of this service, click here to download the registration form

Repairs and Maintenance

All requests for repairs are to be put in writing. Only emergency repairs will be accepted verbally.  All repairs are attended to as promptly as possible, however, it is often necessary to obtain the Landlord's approval and or quotes before any work can commence, so unfortunately a time lag is sometimes unavoidable. If firm arrangements regarding access for any tradespeople are not kept by you, the service charge for calling the tradesperson will be automatically passed on to you for payment.  Where you rent a house, terrace or a semi-detached cottage, the upkeep of the gardens and grounds are your responsibility.  Please do not store unnecessary paper, rubbish, bottles, cans, etc. on or around the premises. Should it be found that a repair is necessary due to tenant neglect or the actions of the tenant, the tenant shall be responsible for the cost of the repair and/or call out charge.

Termination of the Tenancy Agreement

Your Residential Tenancy Agreement is a legal and binding contract, providing protection for both you and the Landlord. The Residential Tenancy Agreement can be terminated by you in the following ways: a) If you intend to vacate at the end of your Residential Tenancy Agreement you are required to give fourteen (14) days written notice prior to the expiry of the fixed term of your Agreement.                                    b) Once the fixed term has expired, you are at liberty to continue living at the property or to vacate.  If you intend to vacate, written notice to that effect must be received by our office at least fourteen days (14) days prior to the vacating date. If however unforseen circumstance arise and you have to vacate prior to the expiration of your Residential Tenancy Agreement, please contact your Property Manager immediately and we will endeavour to find another suitable tenant.  However, you will still be responsible for the rent until another suitable tenant is found, as well as the payment of a letting fee, an Agreement preparation fee and all advertising costs.  A Form 13 - Notice of Intention to Leave can be obtained by clicking on the link below Click here to download the file in PDF format and print the form.

Please ensure that any other occupants of the property also read this information.