faqs - tenants

rental payments

Your first months rent can be paid by cheque payable to Bennison Mackinnon Carmichael and is due at the signing of the lease agreement. Subsequent payments can be made by internet transfer or by direct debit. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH PAYMENTS AT THE OFFICE FOR SECURITY REASONS. It is important that you contact your Property Manager immediately if you are unable to pay your rent by the due date.

bond

Most bonds are equal to five weeks rental unless stated otherwise and must be paid by bank cheque payable to the "R.T.B.A." (Residential Tenancies Bond Authority).

keys

Tenants will normally be given 1 full set of keys to the property. Bennison Mackinnon Carmichael may hold spare keys in the case of an emergency. If a tenant wishes to change the locks they must first seek permission from the owner and supply the agent with a spare set.

condition report

The condition report is as important as your tenancy agreement. It establishes the condition of the property at the commencement of your tenancy and will be used as a comparison at the end of your tenancy as the basis on which your bond will be refunded.

Please check it thoroughly, amend and add comments if necessary before the original signed copy (all pages) are returned to this office within three (3) business days of the commencement of your tenancy. If the signed condition report is not returned, problems could occur at the end of your tenancy regarding your bond refund.

routine inspections

Periodic inspections are carried out by your Property Manager every six months for the purpose of assessing the condition of the property and providing the owner with a written report including photographs. Your Property Manager will notify you in writing of the day and time of the inspection. If the time provided is not convenient please contact your Property Manager to re-schedule.

maintenance

All repairs and maintenance must be forwarded to our office in writing. Only emergency repairs will be accepted verbally. A maintenance request can be made from our website under "Tenant Forms".

vacating

If your lease has expired and you wish to vacate, the Residential Tenancies Act states that twenty-eight (28) days written notice must be given and rent must be paid to the end of the tenancy. If you want to vacate on the lease expiry date, twenty-eight (28) days prior notice must be given.

Tenants who are wanting to "break" their lease should contact their Property Manager immediately to discuss options and reletting costs.

communication

The essence of a successful and trouble free tenancy is effective communication between the tenant, the agent and the landlord.

The tenant's major responsibilities are to ensure the property is maintained in good order and rent is paid on time. The landlord requests that the property is kept in good order and as the agent we request that we are advised of any problems that might affect either party's requirements. In other words, if there is a problem, we must be advised promptly. In most cases, if this is done, problems can be quickly and efficiently rectified to everybody's satisfaction.

Our Property Manager is here to assist you in making your tenancy as comfortable as possible. Please direct any problem or enquiry you may have to the Property Manager responsible for your property.