So, you’ve found your ideal property. You should contact your local Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch office to express an interest.
You’ll need to fill out a Tenancy Application Form and provide some documents to support your application. These may include photo ID and proof of your current address and income. Your local Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch team will discuss these requirements with you.
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Paying a rental bond is an important part of the home renting process. Your bond provides the homeowner with a degree of financial security if you breach your tenancy agreement. The bond covers property damage, undue wear and tear, and money owing when you move out. The amount of bond you need to pay is set out in your tenancy agreement. It’s usually proportional to the amount of rent you pay. It’s important to note that your bond may increase during your tenancy if your rent increases.

All Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch rental bonds are lodged with your state or territory’s Residential Tenancy Authority.

It’s reassuring to know, if you meet all the conditions of your tenancy, your bond will be returned to you promptly at the end of your tenancy.

Your rental agreement lists the people who can live in your rental property on a permanent basis. If a tenant wants to move out, or a new tenant wants to move in, you need to advise your Property Manager in writing.

Any new tenant needs to be approved via the Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch rental application process before moving in.

You’re responsible for paying your rent on time. Your payments need to reach us on or before the due date. Your Tenancy Agreement sets out where and when your rent must be paid.

If you have problems paying your rent, you should notify your Property Manager as soon as possible. If your rent falls into arrears, your Property Manager will follow the procedures set out in the Residential Tenancies Act in your state or territory to collect the rent for the homeowner.

Before you move in, your Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch Property Manager will record the condition of your new home in a Property Condition Report. You’ll also have an opportunity to add additional notes to this document. You should then sign and return the report to your Property Manager to file with your Tenancy Agreement.

The Property Condition Report protects both you and the homeowner. This report means you can’t be held responsible for damage and undue wear and tear which was there before you moved in.

Your privacy and comfort are important to us. Your Property Manager will make regular inspections during your tenancy and will advise you in advance before visiting. These inspections allow our rental team to report to the homeowner about the condition and care of the property, and any important maintenance issues. This is the perfect opportunity for you to point out any maintenance or repairs required around your home. (You can also report concerns at any other time.)

Photos may be taken by the Property Manager during the Routine Inspection.

If your home requires repairs or maintenance, you should let your Property Manager know as soon as possible. When you first sign your lease, your Harcourts Property Manager will explain the best way for you to make contact about repairs. This may be via phone, email or your online tenants’ portal. Where possible, it’s also a good idea to include a photograph of the problem.

Your Property Manager will contact a suitable tradesperson to complete the work. After the tradesperson receives a work order, they’ll contact you to arrange a convenient time to visit.

In non-urgent maintenance cases, you need permission from the homeowner before repairs can begin at the property. Please note you may have to pay the account if you don’t have the homeowner’s permission before repairs or maintenance are done.

If emergency repairs are required in your rental home, you should always try to contact your Harcourts Property Manager first. If you need an emergency repair after hours, you may not be able to get in touch with your manager. In this case, you can contact an emergency contractor directly to do urgent repairs.

The Residential Tenancies Act in your state or territory explains exactly what an emergency (or urgent) repair is. It’s important to understand the difference between an emergency repair and an ordinary repair. If the repair is not an emergency repair, you may be responsible for paying the contractor’s account.

You may need an urgent repair where a maintenance issue:

• is likely to cause injury
• makes the property unsafe
• makes the property unsecured
• Examples include: a burst water service, serious leak, serious electrical fault, among others

First, you need to check the amount of notice required before ending your tenancy. Your Property Manager can advise you on the minimum time period. You can also find this information in your state or territory’s Residential Tenancies Act.

If you want to leave:

You should give your Property Manager a completed Notice of Intention to Leave form.

If the homeowner wants you to leave:

They’ll notify you in writing. Your Harcourts Harcourts City Christchurch Property Manager will contact you to explain requirements for handing over vacant possession. When the property is vacant and you’ve returned all the keys, your Property Manager will do a final inspection of the home.

It’s important you pay all your rent and any outstanding invoices. And you should leave the property in its original condition (excluding reasonable wear and tear), as noted in the Property Condition Report.

Please return your keys within the appropriate time frame. If not, the locks may be changed, and you may be responsible for paying the cost.

Your tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract. The homeowner is not required to release you early from a fixed-term agreement.

If you’re having difficulty paying your rent or your personal circumstances have changed, please talk to your Property Manager to discuss options that may be available. We understand life can present unexpected challenges and we’re always happy to help where we can.

Our Rental Legislation Resources page includes links to rental property legislation for each state and territory of Australia. This is a useful source of information for many common property queries.