Vacating the Property - Notice Required when Vacating

When the fixed term period of the agreement is due to run out, a tenant can give 14 days notice to end the tenancy. This notice can be served up to and including the last day of the fixed term and must be in writing.

Once the fixed term period has ended, a tenant is required to give at least 21 days notice.

Breaking of a Fixed Term Lease

If a tenant wants to end their tenancy agreement early they should give as much notice as possible - in writing giving the date they intend to leave and ask for the landlord (or agent) to help find a new tenant.

A landlord can claim compensation for any loss they suffer as a result of a tenant ending the agreement early. Some of the costs a tenant could be liable for include:

 

• Rent until new tenants move in or the existing agreement runs out (whichever happens first)
• A re-letting fee (usually 1 week's rent) when the property is let by an agent who charges the landlord a fee for finding new tenants and
• Advertising costs

 The landlord also has a duty to keep the tenant’s loss to a minimum and make a reasonable effort to find a new tenant.

 There are four specific situations when a tenant can break a fixed term lease without penalty. They are:

• If they accept an offer of public housing
• If they need to move to a nursing home
• If the landlord puts the property up for sale without telling the tenant before the lease was entered into, or
• Where a co-tenant is the subject of a final AVO barring them from the premises

Parties to a tenancy agreement have the option of including a break fee in the lease. The break fee applies if the tenant breaks the lease before the end of the fixed term period. The amount of the break fee is set out under the new laws.

If there is no break fee in the lease, then the tenant is liable to compensate the landlord for any loss as above.

Getting Your Bond Back Quickly - Criteria

The following information has been prepared to assist you when vacating the property you have been renting through Doyle Spillane Real Estate.

Please note that we cannot inspect the property until you have removed all belongings and have returned the keys.  Any keys given to friends or relatives should also be handed back. 

We ask that before the Final Inspection you:

Ensure that our office has your new forwarding address and phone number.

You pay your rent until the vacating date.

Return all keys to this office including letterbox keys.

Arrange disconnection of your telephone, electricity, gas supply and any rental payment systems that are in place.

Re-direct all mail to your new address.

Attendance to the following matters prior to our inspection will save considerable time and prevent unnecessary delays in returning your bond.

Cleaning & Carpet Cleaning- IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please contact our office to seek advice on selecting the right cleaners & carpet cleaners.

The Final Inspection- A final Inspection should be done in your presence - contact should be made with your Property Manager prior to you vacating to make a suitable time for the Final Inspection to be carried out.

If you are unable to attend, your Property Manager will carry out the final inspection of the property and attempt to finalise the refund of your rental bond within 4 working days of the keys being returned to our office.

Your property manager will contact you to discuss the outcome of the final inspection within 24 hours of it being carried out, if there are items requiring attention i.e cleaning issues you will be given 24 hours to rectify (this may vary depending on when the property is being re-occupied) if you authorise works to be completed on your behalf you will be given a detailed breakdown of deductions from your rental bond.

Please be aware that general cleaning, carpet cleaning, repair of damages and payment of outstanding monies should be under taken before vacating the property.

Final Inspection Guide - Listed below are some of the items that need to be attended to before you vacate the property.

Kitchen

The oven and griller is to be cleaned, drip trays to be cleaned of all grease

Range hood to be cleaned including filters

All cupboards, shelves, drawers and benches to be cleaned inside and out (don't forget the tops of the cupboards)

Sink taps and disposal unit to be cleaned

Walls and tiled areas to be free from grease

All benches and floors to be cleaned and free from grease

The dishwasher is to be left clean, wipe over internal door and remove debris from bottom drainer

Any appliances should be cleaned, switched off at the wall and doors left ajar

General - All Rooms

All exhaust fans throughout property to be cleaned, air vents dusted

Venetians to be washed thoroughly

Flyscreens to be removed carefully and hosed or brushed to remove dirt/dust (where possible)

Windows, window tracks and sills to be cleaned thoroughly

Doors and doorframes to be left clean and undamaged

Marks to be removed from walls with sugar soap

Cobwebs to be removed from ceilings cornices and walls

All lightfittings to be cleaned and free from insects

All floors and skirting boards to be washed

All ceiling fans throughout to be free from dust

Clean all mirrors throughout including wardrobe door mirrors

Curtains to be washed or dry cleaned according to fabrics

All vertical blinds strings to be attached and secure

All items on inventory to be accounted for

Bathroom

Shower recess to be scrubbed

Grouting to be free of all soap residue or mildew

Shower curtain (if applicable) to be washed and shower screen to be cleaned

All plugholes are to be cleaned (soaps removed from holders)

Mirrors to be wiped over

All drawers and vanities to be cleaned

Toilet to be cleaned thoroughly, including bowl, seat & cistern

Ceiling mould should be removed

Laundry

Dryer filter to be cleaned out

Clean under laundry tub and clean plughole

Cupboards to be cleaned thoroughly inside and out

Exhaust vents to be clean and free of lint

PestControl

If pets have been kept on the premises, then property should be professionally pest controlled for fleas inside and out and a receipt produced to our office

Carpets

Carpets are to be professionally cleaned and a carpet receipt produced. Please note: If you choose not to use our offices' recommended carpet cleaner you could be liable to have the carpets re-cleaned should they not meet our standard of cleanliness.

Outside Areas

Lawns to be mowed and edges trimmed (clippings not to be dumped in garden beds or behind sheds)

Flower beds and gardens to be weeded

No rubbish to be left in the gardens or around the property

All garbage bins to be emptied and cleaned

Driveways, carports, garages and any concrete areas to be free from oil or grease stains

Garage floor to be swept and cobwebs removed

Cobwebs to be removed from outside eaves, awning and ceilings (where applicable)

Pool and spa to be cleaned, vacuumed and at the correct pH factor

Pool equipment to be in accordance with ingoing condition report

Damage

Damage that occurs due to negligence will be rectified at the tenants cost.

Important Note

• Disconnect the power/electricity & gas

• Disconnect the telephone

• Redirect mail address