Tenants

Quick Downloads

Useful Information

Below you will find important information for every tenant including your rights and responsibilities as well as hints and suggestions to help make life easier!

Applying for a tenancy

You love one of our properties and are wondering what you should do next? You will need to fill in one of our Tenancy Application Forms, however, before submitting your application, we ask that you read the following information.

Firstly, we require you to view the property personally. If you have not already viewed the property, please contact us and we will arrange for you to do so, (please understand that we may need 24 hours notice). If you are unable to view the property due to living interstate or overseas, we would prefer you to have someone view the property on your behalf, however if this is not possible, please contact us and we will arrange for photos and floor plans to be available to you.

Each person intending to reside in the property is required to fill in their own application. On receipt of your application, we endeavour to approve you within 24 hours, however this will largely depend on the availability of your referees.

Please be careful to complete all sections, paying particular attention to your current rental and employment details. According to the Privacy Act, we must alert you to the information that we acquire about you, so please ensure that you read the section detailing the information and be sure to sign the acknowledgement. You will note that we require you to submit your application with 100 points of I.D. You may email, fax or post your application, but please ensure that you attach your I.D.

Please note that once you have been approved to move into the property, we require you to pay your first two weeks rent within 24 hours. This secures the property for you. We will then organise a meeting where we will issue you with a leasing pack outlining your rights and responsibilities. We require you to pay a bond usually equivalent to 4 weeks rent prior to moving into the property. We will not hand over possession of the property until the full bond is paid.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, should you have any queries…we will be happy to help.

We look forward to receiving and approving your application.

Download a Tenancy Application Form

Maintenance

Non-Urgent Maintenance

Download our Maintenance Request Form

To enable us to offer you the best service possible, we require all requests for maintenance & repairs of a non-urgent nature to be submitted in writing. You may email your maintenance request to maintenance@freemanfox.com.au or download our Maintenance Request Form. Please fill in the form with as much detail as possible. We accept emailed, faxed or sent forms.

Urgent/Emergency Maintenance

If there is any urgent maintenance required, please contact our office immediately on (07) 3031 9940. Urgent maintenance is defined as maintenance or repairs required to avoid the risk of injury to a person or damage property, or make the premises unsafe or insecure. In the event that you require maintenance outside of office hours, please call your Property Manager. Should you be unable to contact your Property Manager and the maintenance is of an urgent nature, please call the following people:

Electrician: Bell Electrical
Northside: 07 3862 2556 or 0411 596 340

Plumber:
Northside: 07 3354 3300

Locksmiths:
Northside: 0419 645 988

Please note that your owner is responsible for paying for maintenance accounts, however, should you engage the services of a tradesperson outside of office hours for a maintenance issue that is non-urgent, you may be deemed responsible for the account.

Smoke Alarms

Download the Smoke Alarms Fact Sheet

From 1 July 2007, both tenants & lessors have new responsibilities for maintaining smoke alarms in their rental properties.

Please view the 'easy reference table for tenants & lessors'.

Helpful Maintenance Hints

If the Hot Water system is not working… If the system is Electric - check that the cistern is full. To do this, hold up the copper valve until hot water runs out of the overflow pipe.
If the system is Gas, is the pilot light out? If so, check the system for directions on how to relight it. It is usually quite easy, however if the pilot light is extinguishing frequently, please contact us

Check that you have paid your bill or that you have arranged to have your electricity or gas connected (you will be surprised how many times we get a call and it is due to this!) Check the fuse box. Has somebody accidentally turned off the power? If you are renting a unit within a complex; please check with a neighbour to see if their power is on. Perhaps the Body Corporate needs to be contacted for action.
If the power tripping… Did it trip after putting on a particular appliance? If so, the appliance may be the cause or you may have too many appliances running concurrently. A typical house/unit is equipped for 20 amps therefore a Toaster, Iron and Kettle running at the same time, can trip the circuit. To check this, disconnect all of your appliances and reconnect them one by one, ensuring that the safety switch remains on. If at any time the safety switch trips, you will know that it is one of your appliances causing it. If an Electrician is called and it is deemed that one of your appliances caused the failure, you will be charged for the call out fee.
If you are renting a unit within a complex: please check with a neighbour to see if their power is on. Perhaps the Body Corporate needs to be contacted for action.Are the lights in the street still on? Could the power for the neighbourhood be out? Check with Energex. Run your hands over the powerpoint, don't actually touch the point - is there any "feeling" coming from it? If so, immediately turn the fuse box off and call our office or an electrician.
If the stove element is not working… Check that the power has not tripped. Sometimes pulling out the element and cleaning it thoroughly can fix the problem. Make sure that the stove is turned off, prior to doing this.
If the garbage disposal is not working… Is it turned on at the switch underneath the sink? Has the power tripped? Is anything blocking the unit or stuck in the blades? To check this, switch off the unit and unplug the unit at the wall. Only then, put your hands down the unit to see if anything is blocking it.
If the bathroom or kitchen sink water is taking a long time to drain… Try pouring Draino or a small amount of bleach or white vinegar down the sink. Afterwards thoroughly clean the sink using boiling hot water. Try to remove any hair that may be tied up in the plug area.
If the dryer is not working… check that you are winding the dial the correct way. Often if the air is not hot, this is why. If there is a high pitched sound coming from the dryer, the belt will probably need to be replaced. Please remove any lint as a dryer is often programmed to switch off if there is a build-up.
If the Garage remote control is not working… First check to see if the batteries are working. Check the combination on the remote control to make sure that it is the same as the combination on the panel in the garage. To do this, take the cover off the remote control and find a number code inside - this should be the same code as the on the unit of the remote control in the garage.
Have you checked that the lever inside the garage is on "auto"? The lever is generally next to the control box inside the garage. You can either choose "manual" to operate the door with the key or "auto" to operate the door with the remote control.

Public Transport

The phone number for all Public Transport information is: 131 230

Entry Condition Report

We are required by law to issue you with an entry condition report detailing the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. This form is used to compare the condition from the start of the tenancy term to the end. The Condition Report must be completed, signed and returned to our office within three (3) working days from the commencement of your lease. It will be deemed that you agree with the comments should you fail to return it within the specified time.

Approved Occupants

Only the tenants listed on the General Tenancy Agreement are permitted to reside in the property permanently. If a new tenant wishes to replace a current tenant or wishes to be added to the General Tenancy Agreement, they will need to be approved through the application process.

Locked Out?

In the event you lock yourself out during business hours, you may collect a set of Management keys from our office. You will be required to leave a $50 key deposit that will be returned to you once you return the Management set of keys. Please call our office to advise us that you will be coming and we will be able to organise parking for you.

Please note that in the event you lock yourself out of your residence outside of business hours, our staff are prohibited for personal security reasons to deliver keys. If you find yourself in this situation it is your responsibility to organise and pay for a locksmith.

Northside Brisbane Locksmiths 0419 645 988

Rental Arrears

If you are experiencing difficulty paying your rent, please contact your Property Manager. They will often be able to help you before your rent falls too far behind. According to the tenantial Tenancy Authority, a Notice of Remedy Breach (Form 11) must be issued once the rent is seven (7) days in arrears.

Contents Insurance

Did you know that you are responsible for organising, arranging and paying for your own Contents Insurance? The Lessor's Insurance does not cover your contents, therefore it is essential that you organise for your own contents insurance as soon as possible.

Routine Inspections

It is the policy of Freeman Fox Property to inspect the property and report to the owner on the way in which the property is being maintained as well as report on any maintenance or repairs that require further investigation. You will be issued at least (7) seven days notice in writing prior to your Property entering for the purposes of a routine inspection. Please understand that we are inspecting many properties per day and organise the properties by geographical location, therefore it will is very difficult for us to reschedule inspections. We are happy for you to be present at any inspection, however, do not require you to be there.

Body Corporate By-Laws

Download a copy of the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1994 - Schedule 1 By Laws

Body Corporate By-Laws are formed to ensure harmony between tenants living in a complex. You will be issued with a copy of the Body Corporate By-Laws upon signup and you can always download a general copy of it here. You can be issued with a breach notice if you fail to abide by the laws and should repeated or serious breaches occur, you can be evicted. Please respect other's rights to peaceful and quiet enjoyment and abide by the laws.

Rubbish

Rubbish must be placed in the proper bins. The Brisbane City Council refuse to collect rubbish placed in boxes or bags, so please take any extra items which do not fit into your bin to a Council Refuse station. We may have council refuse passes, so please take advantage and call us to arrange getting them to you. Your bin day can be found in your Leasing Pack. Alternatively, you may call the Brisbane City Council or 3403 8888.

Lease Renewals

Approximately 6 weeks prior to the date the lease is due for renewal, we will contact you to advise you that your lease is pending. We ask that you advise us within one week what your intentions are. If you are wanting to vacate, please refer to our vacating section. If at any stage you know you are wanting to renew your lease, you may initiate contact with us.

Breaking Your Lease

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to break your lease, please contact us for assistance. We will help facilitate breaking your lease on the following conditions:

1. You accept responsibility for, and must pay rent until the property is relet to a suitable tenant. Rent must remain in advance; You pay to the Lessor an administration fee equivalent to one weeks rent; You sign an appointment for us to relet the property on your behalf; You pay all advertising costs associated with finding new tenants; You maintain (if applicable) the gardens, lawns, pool until a new suitable tenant moves into the property. You must ensure that electricity is supplied until the new tenant moves in.
2. You will be responsible for paying for a final "sparkle" clean to be carried out on the day before the ingoing tenant's lease commences.

Please also note that you will be responsible for the condition of the property whilst the property is under your lease.

Picture Hooks

Please contact us before installing any picture hooks to seek approval. We will usually approve two hooks to be installed per room.

Vacating

Download a 'Notice of Intention to Leave' Form
Download the cleaning checklist

Should you wish to vacate your property, you are required to issue to us at least fourteen (14) days notice in writing. Please contact us for the appropriate form or alternatively, download a 'Notice of Intention to Leave' Form. As soon as we receive your Notice of Intention to Leave form, we will send you a vacating letter and cleaning guide. Download the cleaning checklist.

Helpful Cleaning Hints

Adhesive Marks: Dab a small amount of Methylated Spirits on the area. Then wipe clean.
Ants: Spread a small amount of Black Pepper, Baby Powder or Borax around.
Bat/bird Droppings: If possible when fresh wash immediately with water. If dried, scrape off excess droppings and wash away with detergent and water. Add a few drops of ammonia to the water to remove the stain.
Carpet: Furniture will often put indents in the carpet. To rejuvenate the flattened carpet, place some ice cubes on the area. When the ice cubes melt the carpet will rise.
Pet Urine: Dampen the area with white vinegar and then spray the carpet with Windex.
Make-up: Use Eucalyptus to blot the area.
Fruit Juice: Sponge the area with diluted Borax. Mix one tablespoon of Borax with half a litre of water.
Oil: Immediately it is spilt, sprinkle powder on the area to absorb oil. Then sponge with Eucalyptus. Vacuum after 24 hours.
Vomit/Excreta: After removing all solid matter, mop/absorb excessive moisture with white vinegar or soda water. Add drops of 'Nilodor' to neutralize the smell.
Wine Stains: As soon as possible after spilling, dab soda water with a paper towel on the area, being careful that you do not spread the stain. If the stain has dried, dab the area with Borax, leave until dry and then wipe away.
Doors: Use a creme cleanser or all purpose spray and wipe with a damp cloth.
Drains: Pour boiling hot water down the drain, then pour a small amount of bleach or vinegar to remove the build-up. Draino or Drainex is quite effective. Hair is usually the reason many drains block, so continually remove hair from the plug area.
Eaves: Remove cobwebs with a garden broom. For mildew stains, wet the broom with a mixture of detergent and water.
Flies/Fleas: Mint is a natural deterrent for both flies & fleas. Place crushed mint on a kitchen bench or on windowsills to prevent them from entering.
Guttering: Have a professional cleaner clean the gutters. Annually before the storm season is usually the best time to have them cleaned.
Insects/Pests: Spray the surface with a surface spray or sprinkle some Borax around skirting boards.
Labels/sticky marks: Sticky labels and sticky tape marks can be removed by rubbing Eucalyptus on the area. "Mr Sheen" will usually remove marks too.
Laminex: Toothpaste rubbed over the stain with a soft cloth will usually remove most stains.
Mirrors: Rub Glycerine over the mirror and then polish to prevent the mirror from steaming. Windex removes most stains, but to prevent streak marks, polish the area with paper towel or a cloth after cleaning.
Oil Spills: Soak up oil with Kitty Litter or with sand. Then soak the area in a mixture of six parts kerosene to one part detergent. Leave on the area for 5 minutes and then thoroughly hose the area.
Oven: To clean the glass area, use a damp cloth sprinkled with baking soda. Before cleaning the inside of the oven, preheat the oven for 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and place full strength ammonia in a small dish on the top shelf and a bowl of boiling water on the bottom shelf. Close the oven door and leave overnight. Before commencement of cleaning the following morning, open oven door and leave for 30 minutes before washing away the grease with detergent and hotwater. Orange peel heated in the oven will remove odours. Use Cloudy Ammonia for cleaning the oven racks, trays and range-hood filters, by soaking overnight then wiping away grease.
Rubber Stains: Rubber can be removed with tea tree oil.
Rust: Rub the rust stain with a half of lemon dipped in salt and then rinse with cold water. Vinegar is also effective.
Tiles: Glazed tiles can be wiped over with kerosene. For unglazed tiles, wipe the area with a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine with a soft cloth.
Toilet: Remove stains by leaving bleach in the toilet bowl overnight. Use a toilet brush to remove build-up then flush the toilet. To thoroughly clean the toilet seat, first remove the wingnuts at the rear of the bowl and slide the seat off. Then use an anti-bacterial spray to clean the seat.
Walls: Sugar soap mixed with water or warm soapy water spread with a soft cloth should only be used. Do not use a scourer as this will scratch the paint.
Windows: Half a cup of Methylated sprits added to a bucket of water is an excellent window cleaner.

Bond

A full bond usually equivalent to four (4) weeks rent is required prior to you moving into your property. This bond is held in trust by the tenantial Tenancy Authority, until completion of your lease. To obtain a full bond refund at the expiration of your tenancy, we recommend a few matters be adhered to during your tenancy:

Do not use Blu Tac, Sticky Tape or Masking tape to hang or place pictures on walls in such a way as to cause damage. 3M provide hooks that are able to be removed without removing the paint. Please see 3M.com.au to investigate whether this product would be suitable for you.Seek approval prior to installing fixed picture hooks Have your carpets professionally cleaned as often as necessary or at least once every 6 months.
Ensure the property is kept clean and left clean. You will be given a guide to help when you vacate.