Tenant FAQs

How do I pay my rent?

Onboarding payments:

Your bond and first months rent must be paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Rental payments:

Rent is payable on a monthly basis by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), unless otherwise negotiated.

Please note: A lease is a legally binding contract, and it’s important that rent be paid in accordance with the terms outlined in your lease. We have a ZERO tolerance for arrears.

Do I get confirmation that my bond has been received?

Yes, the Bond Authority will send you confirmation and provide you with your lodgement number.

Why you need to return your Property Condition Report?

Please ensure that you return your signed/amended copy of your property condition report to us within 3 days of the tenancy start date. If this is not returned please be aware that the original inspection will be used for end of tenancy comparison, regardless of whether you agree to the original report or not.

How do I connect utilities to my new rental property?

As a courtesy, IPM will arrange for a utility connection company to make contact with you to assist with utility connections, there is no obligation to use this service if you choose to arrange your own connections.

For your convenience, here are some helpful telephone numbers:

Do I need to insure the rental property?

As the tenant it is not your responsibility to insure the property (dwelling). However we strongly recommended that you have insurance to cover your contents.

How often are inspections completed?

Every 6 months we conduct routine inspections to confirm that the property is being properly maintained, and to report any maintenance recommendations to the owner. Any required repairs will be photographed and included in the report. It should be noted that it is policy to not take photos of tenants’ possessions.

You will be notified 3 – 6 days before the inspection to organise a time that is convenient for both parties. The inspection will examine:

• Carpets and other flooring
• Light switches and light fittings
• Kitchen – oven and stove top
• Windows and screens
• Walls, doorways and doors
• Shower, bathroom, toilet and laundry
• Lawns and gardens

How much notice to I have to give to end my tenancy?

If you are on a periodic tenancy you can give 21 days’ notice in writing, however, if you are in a fixed term tenancy you are unable to give notice until at least 21 days prior to the end of the fixed term and advise you do not wish to renew.

If you are on a periodic tenancy and the owner issues notice to vacate you can end your tenancy with 14 days notice.

If there is an urgent job that needs attention or maintenance, who do I call?

We follow the guidelines in the “Renting a Home – a guide for tenants & landlords” link is provided within the electronic lease.

This outlines that the following items constitute ‘urgent’ repair:

• burst water service
• blocked or broken lavatory system
• serious roof leaks
• gas leaks
• dangerous electrical faults
• serious storm, fire or flood damage.

If you have an urgent repair during normal working hours please contact your Property Manager directly. If the call is outside of normal office hours or in the event that you can’t contact us and the repair qualifies as an ‘urgent’ repair (see list above) follow the steps below:

1. Make sure that it qualifies as an ‘urgent’ repair so that you avoid an additional call-out charges.
2. If you are confident that it is an urgent repair you may arrange to have it fixed yourself by one of our nominated tradespeople listed here:
   • Plumber – Greg Cula 0412 364 657
   • Electrician – Ismail (Pure Power Electrics) 0418 384 501
3. Please notify us of your actions as soon as possible.

Important note: If the call-out is considered non-urgent, you will have to pay the additional cost associated with an after hours repair.

If the call out repair is identified as caused by tenant, the tenant will be required to pay the cost of repair.

How do I request property maintenance?

We follow the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, this states that all maintenance requests MUST be provided in writing. If you would like to submit a request please visit the maintenance request page.

We have lost our key/locked them inside, what can I do?

If you have lost your key or locked it inside during office hours, call iPM and we will arrange for you to collect our management set. These will need to be returned ASAP once they have been used. If this was to happen After Hours it is up to you, the tenant, to engage the services of a locksmith and pay the associated costs. Should you need to have the lock changed you must advise iPM and supply a copy of the key.

I have been given a 60-120 day notice to vacate, can I leave earlier?

If you have been issued a vacate notice you can leave earlier, you just need to advise iPM by giving 14 days’ notice in writing to vacate. A tenant’s notice to vacate can only apply if the tenant is on a periodic agreement and has been issued notice to vacate. A tenant cannot issue a notice to vacate during a fixed term tenancy agreement.

Can I add another person to the Tenancy Agreement? 

Depending on the maximum amount of people allowed to reside at the property, this is at the discretion of the owner. If agreed, they must fill out an application form and all the normal checks will be completed.

Can I break my fixed term?

A tenant can arrange a break lease during a tenancy. The break lease fee is 2 weeks rent +GST and includes all advertising costs. The break lease fee is payable immediately in order for the process to commence.

The tenant is responsible for the current lease until a new tenancy is signed and must pay rent up to when the new tenancy commences.

When do I get my bond back?

The following criteria must be met to ensure the full refund of the bond at the culmination of tenancy:

• Property – The property has been cleaned, the grounds have been returned to their in-going conditions and the carpets have been professionally cleaned (receipt to be provided to property manager). Please refer to our final inspection checklist for a complete list of maintenance criteria.
• Rent – All outstanding rent is paid.
• Outstanding Accounts – Any outstanding payments, for damages, break lease fees or compensation amounts are paid.
• Keys – All keys, remote controls or other devices used to gain access to the property are returned.

After you vacate we will complete a final inspection.  If all is in order with the vacate inspection we will contact the Bond Authority to approve Bond refund within days of the final inspection if there are no issues such as cleaning, removal of rubbish or repairs required. Should iPM need to arrange rectification works, the costs will be deducted from the Bond refund.

Once the Bond is approved to be released, the Bond Authority will communicate direct with the tenant for Bond bank transfer.

If both parties do not reach an agreement with work that needs to be completed at the property once it has been vacated then either party can put the bond into dispute and file to Tenancy Tribunal (VCAT).

Can we carry out repairs ourselves on the property?

You must consult with iPM before completing any major repairs at the property.  Small repairs such as tightening door handles, fixing hinges and general maintenance of small items as a result of wear and tear are welcomed. Gardens are the responsibility of the tenant to keep tidy unless otherwise stated in your Tenancy Agreement.

Can I make copies of the keys?

If you wish to make copies of your keys it is required for you to return all keys given to you at the beginning of your tenancy, and all additional copies made. If you change the locks, you are also obligated to provide us with all new keys made for access to the property.

What happens when my lease ends?

You will receive an invitation to renew the lease provided the landlord is happy to continue the tenancy. This will be based on the following conditions:

• that your rent has been paid on time
• the property has been kept clean and undamaged
• the gardens well maintained.

To ensure a smooth rental renewal it is important that you let us know (in writing) whether you’ll accept the renewal or alternately wish to submit  a notice to vacate.

If you do not receive a new lease offer, your tenancy will continue on a periodic arrangement.

What do I do if I want to leave the property?

When you decide to vacate the property the following steps must be completed:

Steps to vacating:

1. Download and complete the ‘Notice to Vacate’ form.
2. Ensure all parties specified on the lease agreement sign the form.
3. Email the form to info@ipropertymanager.com.au or return the document to our offices. Address details can be found on our contact us page.
4. Contact iPM within 24 hours if you have not received confirmation of the form’s delivery.

Can I have a pet?

If your Tenancy Agreement states no pets, then you cannot have a pet at the property.

Are we able to install a pet door?

If your tenancy allows you to have a pet, you can ask the iPM to request permission from the owner. It will be their decision; should they agree, you as the tenant must ensure the pet door is removed at the end of the tenancy and repairs at a standard agreeable to the owner and iPM.

Can we store the owner’s furniture?

If you have agreed to rent a furnished property that comes with a list of chattels, these are part of your tenancy and they cannot be stored. Should there be some items that have been left by the owner and you do not want to use them please contact iPM to discuss options. Please note: If you were to store an item that belongs to the owner and for some reason they became damaged you could be held liable for the costs to repair or replace.

We have mould, who is responsible to remove it?

Mould can be caused by a lot of issues, not ventilating your property correctly by opening doors and windows regularly, not opening curtains during the day to allow the natural light to come in, not wiping your windows dry when they have condensation on, or opening a window/turning a fan during a shower, also drying your clothes inside. All this creates moisture that when the property is not be ventilated causes mould. In this instance, you are responsible to remove it. It will need to be wiped and there are products from supermarkets that can inhibit the further growth of mould and remove it.  However without ongoing ventilation this will come back. Should the mould be caused by something more sinister such as a leaking roof and drainage issues then iPM is responsible to find the resolution.

My family is coming to stay, can we have more keys?

You must advise iPM if your family members are coming for an indefinite or long stay. It is your responsibility to sort access for them with your current allocated keys. The owner does not have to organise additional keys.