Information for Prospective and Current Elephant Tenants
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Inspecting an Elephant Property
Inspections can be arranged by contacting an Elephant Property team member and agreeing on a time and date. If you happen to arrive at a property before our team member does, wait at the front of the property so that we can find you easily. As tempting as it is, there’s no need to knock on the door as you may be interrupting the current tenants. If for any reason you can’t attend at the agreed time, please let us know, giving as much notice as possible, so that we can see if an alternative time can be arranged.
Applying for a Property
If you would like to apply for a property, then we’ll need you to fill in a tenancy application. Everyone who wants to live at the property (other than dependents under 18) is required to complete a separate application.
We have a points system which helps us verify your identity so we’ll need you to provide certain documents like a drivers license, passport, medicare card etc. We also require proof of income as well as evidence that you have a good tenancy history (references from your previous property managers and landlords are great here along with details for other people like your employer so that we can verify your application). Please refer to the tenancy application form for more details one exactly what’s required.
Normally it takes about two working days to process an application but may take longer if we don’t have all the information we need or if we have difficulty contacting the people you list in your application.
To speed up the process so that we can notify you as soon as possible as to whether you’ve got the property:
- Have all applicants fill in the application form completely and provide all your identification when you submit your application
- Provide all the contact details for your employer, previous landlord or property managers etc and let these people know to expect a call from us
- If you can get a written letter of reference from a previous property manager that’s also a great help
- Some owners are wary of pets. If you’ve rented with a pet before, getting a reference from your previous property manager that specifically mentions your pet and the condition of the property will be a help. We’ll present your case – but bear in mind, some property owners may prefer to have no pets in their property.
Rental Bond
When renting a property in Tasmania, a security bond is required. This is equivalent to four weeks rent and is payable as soon as your application is accepted.
Lease Period
For most properties, the preferred lease length is 12 months with an option to extend the lease if both you as the tenants and property owner are happy to do so when the first lease ends. It is possible to have a lease for a shorter period than 12 months decided on a case by case basis.
Sign-Up
Before moving into a property, it will be necessary for you to come to the office to sign of lease. Ideally this will be organized within 2 days of confirmation that you’ve got the property. At the sign-up, we explain in both writing and verbally with you your obligations under the lease. The whole process should take less than 60 minutes, but allow an hour just to be sure!
Upon sign up you will be required to pay the equivalent of 6 weeks rent (2 weeks as your first 2 weeks rent + your bond). This amount must be paid by cash, a bank cheque or deposited. If you would like to deposit this money directly into our trust account, that’s great – however you’ll need to organise this with us and deposit the money on the day you’ve been approved so that there’s time for it to show on the bank statement.
You will be provided with a Condition Report (and an Inventory should there be furniture, electrical goods, etc). It is really important that you carefully check the condition of the property and make any changes to the report (and inventory) if required. The forms must be returned to our office within two days of moving in.
If your tenancy commences on the day of the sign-up, then you will be given the keys to the property. Otherwise you will need to return to our office to collect them on the day your tenancy starts.
Occupancy
Only those people who have signed the lease are allowed to live at the property on a permanent basis. Yes, you can have a friend stay overnight, but if a new tenant wishes to move in or to replace an existing tenant our office must be notified before this happens so we can approve the new person’s application and property add them on the lease. This protects all the tenants as well as the property owner.
Electricity and Telephone
It is your responsibility to connect your services when you have signed a lease on the property and also to finalise and close your account when you vacate the property. Some helpful numbers include:
- Electricity: Aurora 1300 13 2003
- Phone: Telstra 13 2200
- Gas: Origin 13 2462
Maintenance of Your Rental Property
If there is a need for repairs, we ask you to let us know in writing so that we are able to properly track the maintenance. This is done using a Maintenance Request form supplied to you at your lease sign-up and available at our office or on our website www.elephantproperty.com.au
As with any property, please take good care of the property, anything above fair wear and tear will have to be repaired at your cost as is specified in your lease.
For repairs which are “emergencies” please contact our office on 03 6334 6399. During business hours you’ll reach our staff and after hours you will be directed to the best contact.
As covered in the Residential Tenancy Agreement (your lease) the following are tenant's responsibilities and you should know that any work done will be at your cost.
- Replacing tap washers
- Replacing electrical fuses
- Cleaning chimneys once a year
- Repairing any damage caused by tenants
- Broken glass (unless caused by something outside of the tenant’s control)
- Replacing light globes and fluorescent tubes
- Garden - this should be watered, mowed and weeded regularly
Locked Out?
If you are locked out, it's is your responsibility so please keep a spare key for emergencies! We are unable to assist out of normal business hours.
Rent Arrears
We take rent arrears (late rent payments) very seriously. Rent is always required to be paid 2 weeks in advance and if this doesn’t happen we will be contacting you to find out why. If there are problems, it’s best that you contact us ahead of time to let us know. There is a system of written warnings about rent arrears (this will be discussed in your lease sign-up) and continued rental arrears can result in your eviction from the property.
Entry to Your Rental Property
During the tenancy, we may require access to your property. We will provide you the following notice periods: Maintenance & Repairs, Valuation, Prospective Buyer, Prospective Tenant when Vacating all 1 day. General Inspection 7 days.
General inspections are usually held around 4 months apart. We are unable to advise a specific time for your general inspections. In all cases, you are entitled to and will receive notice in writing. We arrange for such notices to be put into your letter box either by hand or mail. We may also contact you via phone to arrange or confirm these inspections/repair visits so please ensure we are kept up-to-date on any phone number changes.
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