Taking care of your rental property

Renters should regularly clean any filters and intake vents to ensure there is no build-up of dirt and/or dust, and that the unit is able to draw in air effectively, not hindering performance, or in the worst-case scenario, causing the unit to break down resulting in costly repairs and/or replacement.

Failure to do so may reduce performance or cause the unit to break down.

All carpets need to be cleaned on a regular basis. It’s not something that should only be done at the end of your tenancy. We recommend professional steam cleaning and we do not recommend the use of ‘do-it-yourself’ hire machines which can cause damage if incorrectly used.

If the property you are renting has a fireplace or wood heater, this cannot be used unless you have been given permission from us in writing to do so. Sometimes these are ornamental or the flue/chimney has been blocked up. Using them could cause a fire to occur in the flue or ceiling. If you are given permission, please ensure a spark catcher is used at all times in front of the fire to protect carpets and flooring from sparks and ash damage.

If you wish to install or remove any fixtures or fittings, please request permission for this beforehand in writing.

Please let us know if you notice any cracks in walls, ceilings or any other evidence of building movement.

Bench Tops - Bench tops can be easily damaged if not cared for. Please ensure that chopping boards are always used to prevent cut marks, burns and associated damage.

Benchtop joins - Be on the lookout for joins in the bench-top that have gaps or if the surface laminate has started to bulge or lift at a join. Please let us know if this is starting to occur as this may indicate moisture has seeped into a join and is swelling the chipboard underneath.

Dishwashers - Dishwashers provided as part of your tenancy need to be cleaned on a regular basis. This should include the cleaning of filters, baskets and rubber seals.

Exhaust fans, vents and range hoods - Ensure any vents and rangehood filters are kept clean. Ensure the exhaust fan cover is clean and kept free of grime build up. From time to time these should be taken down and soaked in hot soapy water, and then scrubbed clean.

Grouting/tiling/taps - If grouting or silicone sealing is coming off or is loose around any tiles near the taps and/or taps are dripping or leaking to let us know by using a repair request. Failure to report such issues can result in extensive damage to the property.

Oven and stovetops - Stovetops, grillers and ovens are to be kept free of burnt-on food. Food, crumbs and spills when left long enough become burnt-on, blackened and carbonised, making them very difficult to remove. Use care when using scourers as these may scratch and damage enamel surfaces. Covering stove tops with foil should be avoided as it is a fire hazard. Please ensure that these surfaces are regularly cleaned.

Blocked sinks/drains - Should a sink or basin become blocked, first try a drain cleaning product like "Draino". Be sure to follow the product instructions carefully. If the sink or basin is still blocked after treatment, let us know so we can arrange for a plumber to attend to the problem.

Foreign objects down the drain - Take care not to allow children to place toys or other items down drains. If your property has a septic tank system, please do not flush foreign objects down the toilet. Hair should also be regularly cleaned from drains. If not done regularly blockages can easily occur. If a plumber is employed by us to clear pipes, drains, basins or sinks and it is determined that the blockage was caused by a foreign object, including a build up of hair, the invoice will be sent to the renters for payment.

Hot water system leaks - If the hot water service is leaking constantly from the valve or from the base of the unit please let us know. A few small drips from the pressure relief valve is normal, but a constant stream of water should be reported.

Loose tiles - Should you notice loose tiles on walls in the shower recess or loose tiles over the laundry trough etc, please let us know. Loose tiles can result in water seeping into the surfaces below and can result in extensive and costly repairs.

Shower screens - If you notice cracking of the glass in shower screens or shower doors please report this to us immediately.

Taps leaking - Report any taps leaking either from a tap head or tap handles. This includes washing machine taps.

Toilets leaking - Water trickling or leaking into the bowl from the cistern indicates a worn cistern washer and may need to be fixed by a plumber.

Wall water damage - Should you notice water damage to a wall adjacent to a shower recess, bathroom basin etc please let us know immediately. This can be identified by bubbling or peeling paint, or even water or mould marks to the flooring/carpet on a wall next to or behind a water source.

Flyscreens - Please take care when removing flyscreens for dusting and cleaning as they can be fragile and tear easily.

Lawn maintenance - Ensure that lawns are regularly mowed, edged and weeded, keeping them neat and tidy.

Oil stains - Should oil leaks occur at any time, they must be cleaned up immediately to prevent oil seeping in and permanently staining concrete/paving. This commonly occurs from a minor leak under a vehicle. This could be from your own vehicle or from a visitor who parks on the property. Early removal once sighted gets the best results.

Parking on lawns/gardens - At no time can cars or any type of vehicle be parked on any lawns, gardens or any area not created for, or designated as a vehicle parking area. Damage to lawns and landscaping can be costly and would be the Renters responsibility. Please ensure that any visitors invited onto the property are aware of this requirement.

Pets - If you have completed a pet application and been given written permission to keep a pet on the property, please ensure that any droppings are regularly cleared from grounds and gardens. You are also responsible to ensure that the property remains free from pet odours and fleas and you must ensure that no damage is caused to the property by the pet

Rubbish - Please ensure that any rubbish is regularly removed from the property. This includes household rubbish and other general household rubbish or hard rubbish such as car parts, tyres, unused furniture, lawn and garden clippings. Rubbish cannot be allowed to accumulate or to be stored on the property.

Supplied hoses and fittings - Supplied hoses, fittings and accessories must be kept in good condition and returned upon vacating the property.

Watering - Renters are responsible for watering gardens to ensure that plants do not die. If the property has a watering system please ensure that it is used regularly to ensure the garden is maintained and the system does not seize up.

Weeding and shrub trimming - Weeding of garden beds, lawns, paths, paving and other outside areas are the responsibility of the Renter. Trimming of bushes and shrubs in and around the garden is also the responsibility of the Renter.

Mould infestation generally occurs from condensation, lack of ventilation or moisture from building or plumbing defects. Please ensure that you regularly open windows and doors, especially when cooking, using the laundry for drying clothes and when using the bathroom, as these play a major role in contributing to a build-up of condensation, which in turn can cause mould. If you see any sign of mould, please clean it immediately. If the mould continues to grow with regular cleaning please contact your property manager so that any potential leaks or other contributing factors can be identified.

If you wish to install any new picture hooks, please let us know in writing what type of hooks you wish to use, and the locations where you wish to install the hooks. To do this you should assess the type of walls that are in the property and the type of picture hooks that are suitable. We will let you know in writing before you proceed to install the picture hooks.

If you have pot plants or aquariums, please be aware that if they are placed on hard surfaces like tiles, floorboards and linoleum they may leave indentations, stains and damage. If placed on carpet areas they run the risk of carpet rot or water damage. Please take sufficient precautions to protect the property from what could be expensive repairs for the Renter.

If there has been property damage caused by you or your visitors you are obligated to let us know immediately or on the next business day (if the incident occurred on a weekend or public holiday). Any restoration/repairs must be carried out as soon as practicable and by a suitably qualified person. Please provide your property manager with photos of the damage and once rectified please provide invoice for works carried out and photos of the rectification.

If you think that the smoke detectors installed, are not working or the batteries are not functioning, please let us know immediately, please be vigilant and report to us any issues, to ensure your safety in the case of a fire. For any issue with the smoke alarms always consult your Property manager, as tampering with a safety device can result in a Notice to Vacate being issued. Regular testing of your alarms, to ensure that the siren is working, is recommended

Termites will quickly eat through a property and can cause extensive damage. Signs like wood becoming brittle particularly in doorways, skirting boards and ceiling beams or sounding hollow when tapped or the presence of mud deposits are all tell-tale signs of termites. If you see any signs of termites or termite damage please bring this to our attention immediately.

Fixtures and fittings: If you wish to install or remove any fixtures or fittings, you must request permission for this beforehand in writing.

Painting: Renters should not paint any part of the property themselves, painting can only be carried out by experienced, professional painters with our written permission.