Your Complete Guide to Renting With Barry Plant
Moving and renting don't have to be stressful. Whether you are moving into your new home, managing your ongoing tenancy, or preparing to move out, we're here to support you at every step of your journey.
STAGE 1: THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Finding & Securing Your Rental Home
Finding the right rental property starts with a transparent, straightforward application process. From inspecting properties to submitting your details and signing your rental agreement, we guide you through every step to secure your tenancy.
Key Steps & What to Expect:
Property Inspections: Attend a scheduled open for inspection or register online to view available rental properties.
Submitting Your Application: Complete and submit your application.
Processing & Approval: Our team conducts thorough reference checks before presenting your application to the Residential Rental Provider (property owner) for approval.
Application Acceptance & Disclosure: Once approved, you will receive your offer to lease along with the mandatory Renter Disclosure Statement detailing important property information.
Signing the Residential Rental Agreement: All adult occupants must sign the legally binding Residential Rental Agreement prior to your tenancy start date.
STAGE 2: COMMENCING YOUR TENANCY
Welcome to Your New Home
Moving into a new rental property is an exciting milestone. To ensure a seamless move-in experience, we handle the essentials, from key collection and utility connections to bond lodgements and condition reports so you can settle in with confidence.
Key Steps & What to Expect:
- Bond Lodgement & Rent: Pay your initial rent and bond securely into our nominated account, after which your bond is formally lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA).
- Utility Connections: Organise final connections for electricity, gas, water, and internet with our complimentary connection partner.
- Condition Report: Carefully review, sign, and return your Condition Report within 5 business days of your lease start date to safeguard your bond.
- Key Collection: Collect your keys from our office at your scheduled appointment time after verifying your photo ID and signing your agreement.
- Pre-Move Preparation: Set up contents insurance, arrange mail redirection with Australia Post, and notify relevant bodies of your change of address.
STAGE 3: DURING YOUR TENANCY
Maintaining a Safe & Comfortable Home
We are committed to helping you enjoy a peaceful and well-maintained living environment. Learn how to report routine or urgent maintenance, prepare for routine inspections, and care for your property day-to-day.
Key Steps & What to Expect:
- Reporting Maintenance & Repairs: Submit all general maintenance requests in writing through our designated portal. For urgent repairs (such as gas leaks or essential service outages), notify us immediately by phone and follow up in writing.
- Routine Inspections: Your Property Manager will conduct an initial inspection after 3 months and approximately every 6 months thereafter to ensure the property is well maintained and identify needed repairs.
- Rent Payments: Maintain timely rent payments in accordance with your agreement, taking transfer times into account to avoid falling into arrears.
- Tenancy Changes & Pets: Request prior written permission from your property manager before adding new occupants, keeping pets, or making non-urgent property modifications.
- General Property Care: Understand your day-to-day obligations regarding carpet cleaning, appliance upkeep, garden maintenance, mould prevention, and installing picture hooks.
STAGE 4: ENDING YOUR TENANCY
Ending Your Tenancy & Bond Refunds
When it’s time to move on, we aim to make your exit transition as clear and straightforward as possible. From giving official notice to completing your final exit obligations, here is how to wrap up your tenancy smoothly.
Key Steps & What to Expect:
- Providing Written Notice: Provide a minimum of 28 days' written Notice of Intention to Vacate if you plan to leave at or after the end of your agreement.
- Breaking a Lease: If you need to terminate a fixed-term lease early, review the necessary procedures, pro-rated re-letting fees, advertising costs, and statutory hardship exemptions.
- Cleaning & Repairs: Ensure the property is left in a reasonably clean condition matching your original Condition Report. Professional carpet steam cleaning and pest treatments may apply if specified in your agreement or required to restore condition.
- Key Return & Utilities: Disconnect all utility services, set up mail redirection, and return all keys, access fobs, and garage remotes to our office on or before your vacate date.
- Final Inspection & Bond Claim: Once keys are returned, we carry out the final inspection. If the property is clean and undamaged, a digital RTBA bond claim will be issued for prompt processing.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
At Barry Plant, we strive to deliver outstanding customer service to our clients at all times. Our Customer Service Charter is an expression of our commitment to delivering the best service, as well as providing clients and customers with a way to provide us with feedback on the service they have received - both good and bad. Please read the full details in our Customer Service Charter.