Tips for tenants

Today’s rental climate means that there is a high demand for rental properties; however there is also an increasing shortage of available properties.

This means if you’re looking to rent you need to be diligent in filling out your application, provide as much information as possible with your application and you may need to sign a long term lease if your application is accepted. Quality tenants are snapped up by investors, both in the private and managed rental sectors. References are a great tool in providing character and professional profiles, as well as rental history from previous landlords or Property Managers.

Here are a few of the things that you should consider when looking for a property to rent:

• Is the property suitable for your needs?
• Do you have pets or small children that require fenced yards?
• Do you need to be close to public transport?
• Are you readily available to inspect or move into a property?
• Have you provided as much information as possible with your application for the Landlord’s consideration?
• Do you have current references for the Landlord’s consideration?

A tenant’s obligations

It is very important a tenant understands their obligations in relation to a rental property. By not fulfilling their obligations it is possible that tenants may lose their bond.

A tenant must:

• Pay the rent on time.
• Ensure the property is used for residential purposes for the majority of the time.
• Keep the property reasonably clean and tidy.
• Inform the landlord of any damage as soon as possible.
• Pay for the repair of any deliberate or careless damage caused by themselves or their visitors.
• Comply with all conditions in the Tenancy Agreement.
• At the end of the tenancy:  remove their belongings, leave the property in a reasonable state of cleanliness, return keys or any like devices, and leave the chattels owned by the landlord.
• Allow the landlord reasonable access to the property.
• Pay for all electricity, gas, telephone and internet charges used by them.
• The tenant may also be required to cover the cost of water.

A tenant must not:

• Damage or allow others to damage the property, whether deliberately or carelessly.
• Use or allow others to use the property for any unlawful activities.
• Interfere with the neighbours' peace or comfort.
• Make any alteration to the property in any way without the landlords express permission.
• Refuse the landlord entry when they are entitled to enter.
• Sublet without the express permission of the landlord.

Contact our office to find out more about renting through Sunny Nelson Realty. You can find available rental properties by clicking on the Renting tab in the search area at the top of this page.

You can find a lot of information about renting in the Department of Building and Housing’s website:  http://www.dbh.govt.nz/renting-and-you