Most of the problems experienced by tenants, landlords and property managers can be overcome by prompt and honest communication. It is the TENANTS’ major responsibility to keep the property clean and to meet their financial obligation; its is the LANDLORD’S responsibility to see that the property is maintained and to ensure that the tenant has peaceful enjoyment; and it is the PROPERTY MANAGER’S role to oversee this process. This can be achieved with effective communication from all parties.

Tenancy Application Forms and Tenancy Application Privacy Policy can be found at the bottom of this page:

94_img_locnCONNECTION OF SERVICES

As the TENANT of the property, it is your responsibility to arrange connection of all utilities: gas electricity, telephone and water.
The following telephone numbers will assist you with this:

Telephone

Telstra – 132 200
Optus – 133 937

Electricity & Gas

AGL – 133 000
Origin Energy – 132 114
Origin Energy (Interpreter) – 131 450
TXU – 132 082
United Energy – 1300 131 689

Water

City West Water – 131 971
South East Water (Prahran, Sth Yarra, St Kilda areas) – 131 851
Yarra Valley Water – 131 721

CONTACT HOURS

Atwell & Co is open the following hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Saturday: By Appointment

Telephone:  03 9510 6203 
Facsimile: 03 9510 7263   
Mobile: 0411 113 881 (not for after hours, unless an emergency)
Email: morag@atwellandco.com.au

SECURITY DEPOSIT (BOND)

As from 1 July 1998, all bonds are held with a centralized Bond Authority – The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA).

Once you have vacated, the security deposit will only be refunded after all keys have been returned to our office and a final inspection has been carried out. If the property has been left in acceptable order and there are no other outstanding matters (eg. unpaid rent), you will be required to sign a release form. If there is a change during the term of the tenancy (i.e. if someone moves out and another tenant moves in) it will be YOUR responsibility to advise the RTBA otherwise it will be impossible for you to recover the bond.

CHANGES DURING THE TENANCY

It is the obligation of the tenants to notify the managing agent of any changes in tenants during the course of the tenancy.

If your employment details change, please ensure that you advise our office of any new business numbers and place of employment.

Before a new occupant moves into the property Atwell & Co must be notified, an application completed by the new occupant and approval gained from the owner.

Please note: any changes to the tenancy, i.e. TRANSFER OF BOND, must be made in writing and SIGNED BY ALL PARTIES. Any change in occupants could affect the bond refund process when you vacate – see “Bond” above.

If the lease agreement is in joint or multiple names, all parties to it are individually and jointly responsible. In other words, if one party does not fulfill their obligations under the lease, all of the parties are responsible.

PAYMENT OF RENT

Rent payments can be made to:

Bendigo Bank
Account Name: Atwell & Co
BSB: 633-000
Account Number: 120589593

Internet

You may transfer funds from your account into the Atwell & Co account each month via the internet or simply set up an automated payment through your bank. When you transfer your monthly rent please quote your property code. If you do not quote this code we will be unable to identify this as your rent

Cash

By directly depositing cash into our account through any bank, you must quote your property code; otherwise we will be unable to identify this as your rent.

Cheque

Please make sure you write the property address on the reverse side of the cheque.
Made payable to:
Atwell & Co
PO Box 491 
PrahranVic 3181

LATE RENT PAYMENTS

If you are experiencing difficulty meeting your rent payment by the due date, we would appreciate you advising us immediately. Failure to pay rent by the due date may result in steps being taken to terminate the tenancy.

Our rent arrears procedure is very simple. After five (5) days a reminder may be sent; after ten (10) days a final notice is sent and after fifteen (15) days a Notice to Vacate may be served together with an application made to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for Vacant Possession. If such an application is made you will be responsible for payment of $35.00 Stamp Duty.

Please remember our property owners have financial commitments to meet and they rely on rent being paid on time.

CONDITION REPORT

This document is as important as the Tenancy Agreement signed by you as it establishes the condition of the property at the beginning of the tenancy and is the only proof if there is a dispute at the termination.

Please ensure that ALL TENANTS SIGN THE REPORT and that it is returned to our office within 3 business days. If you neglect to return a signed copy, you forfeit your right to make any comments and we will have no other option than to accept the copy held on file as evidence of the state of repair.

MAINTENANCE

To report a maintenance matter we require you to fax, email or send your request.

Fax: 03 9510 7263
Email: morag@atwellandco.com.au

It is the tenant’s responsibility to report maintenance immediately, in order to avoid the matter becoming more serious.

EMERGENCY REPAIRS

Please note, as per Item 45 of the Tenancy Agreement, all reasonable steps must be taken to notify the AGENT of any repairs – again our contact hours are: Monday to Friday – 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.

In relation to URGENT REPAIRS, the AGENT has no monetary authorisation from the LANDLORD.

In the event of an AFTER HOURS URGENT REPAIR, please phone 0411 113 881. This is for an ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY ONLY.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the following are considered “URGENT REPAIRS”:

  • a burst hot water service;
  • a blocked or broken lavatory system;
  • breakdown of appliance for hot water, cooking, heating or laundering;
  • flooding or serious flood, storm or fire damage;
  • a serious roof or gas leak;
  • a dangerous electrical fault;
  • a serious fault in a lift or staircase

LEASES

Once your fixed term lease expires you may wish to renew it. In this case please forward your request in writing detailing how long you wish to renew the term for. Alternatively, once the lease expires, you may prefer to remain on a periodic tenancy that is “month to month”. Please note, you will still be bound by the same terms and conditions that apply for a fixed term lease. You DO NOT have to vacate the property when the lease expires.

Should you wish to VACATE the property at the end of the lease term, we require notice in writing, not less than 28 days before the lease expires.

CONTENTS INSURANCE

As per Item 39 of the Tenancy Agreement, in relation to CONTENTS INSURANCE, the LANDLORD is not responsible to insure the TENANT’S possessions. The LANDLORD’S insurance policy covers only the building and any fixtures and fittings. With the ever-increasing incidence of burglary and theft, it is strongly recommended that the TENANT take out Content’s Insurance cover with their own insurance company.

LOCKS AND KEYS

Should you decide to change the locks during the tenancy, it is your obligation to provide Atwell & Co with a duplicate key. This also applies to any deadlocks or window locks that may have been installed with the owner’s prior approval.

In the event that you should lock yourself out of the property, please contact us and we shall endeavour to provide a spare key during business hours only. It is not our obligation to hold spare keys for properties and we cannot guarantee that one will be available.

If you are living in a building or complex where security keys have been issued, you may not be able to gain access via a locksmith. In these instances we recommend that you arrange to leave a spare key with a friend or relative in advance.

Please Note: Although all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that all keys to the property have been returned, it is not possible to know how many sets of keys have been made. We therefore strongly recommend that you change the barrel of the lock.

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Forms