If a flatmate doesn’t pay their share of the rent it becomes your responsibility. As far as the landlord is concerned, the name on the lease is the person who must pay all the rent.So to protect yourself from wayward flatmates,make sure all the names are on the lease. You should also be given a document listing all entry fees payable by you to get into the property.
This will certainly include the bond and the holding fee, and may include phone connection and electricity connection (these are normally disconnected at the end of a lease). The bond should be the equivalent of four weeks’ rent in advance. It’s sent to the Bond Board or Renting Services Branch of Fair Trading (depending on the state you live in) and held there until you leave the property.
If you really mess the place up, any repairs you are liable for have to come out of this bond money—and I’ve heard of a few people who lost the lot. The loss of money alone would hurt—but it gets worse. It means you mightn’t get another rental place because you’ll have acquired a bad reputation.
If you’ve read your Renting Guide you’ll know that some things are illegal for the landlord to add to the tenancy agreement (lease), so don’t fall for any shonky tricks. (This is why you use a professional.) Things to look for are added clauses that say you have to have the carpets cleaned when you leave, or replace the tap washers or electric stove elements. These additions and amendments are illegal.
Make sure you get a proper receipt for all your entry costs and— again—put them in a special file with your rent receipts, somewhere safe. You can’t be charged for keys, and everyone listed on the lease has to get a full set. That means security doors, garages, letter boxes and windows. If it needs a key, you should have the key.
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