The security of newly rented premises is always a concern for the tenants. Fortunately, there are clear guidelines set down by the Residential Tenancies Authority setting out responsibilities that protect both parties. http://www.remaxres.com.au
1. Security And Access Are Major Issues For Tenants
It is no surprise that many of the disputes between lessor/agent and tenant involve the issue of
access to the premises, and specifically the availability of keys, and the ability of the tenant to
secure the premises with reliable locks. The safety and security of the dwelling is a fundamental
issue for all occupiers of residential property, and tenants are no exception. It could be that at a
previous tenancy, the person had a negative experience regarding security and access with a less
than scrupulous lessor/agent. None of this angst is necessary if the guidelines set down by the
Residential Tenancies Authority. They are simple and quite clear.
For a tenant entering a rental agreement with Real Estate Burleigh Heads, there should be no need
to worry about having secure locks and the required number of keys for their premises. Reputable
lessor/agents know the requirements and welcome clear guidelines so that all parties understand
their obligations.
As far as locks are concerned, the lessor/agent must supply all locks to enable the tenant to secure
the property. They must also maintain those locks, so that if the tenant reports that a lock has
broken, it is the lessor/agent’s responsibility to replace it. During the duration of the tenancy,
should either party want to change the locks for any reason, both parties must be in agreement.
While this sounds like one party could be disadvantaged if the other disagreed, the guidelines state
that consent cannot be unreasonable withheld by either party.
Unless a Tribunal orders differently, the other party must be given a new key to the lock, or the
other party agrees that they do not wish to have a key. Sometimes emergency situations occur at
the most inconvenient times, so although it is the lessor/agents responsibility to provide locks, to
keep the property secure, the tenant may change the lock. The other instance is as a result of an
order from the Tribunal.
In terms of the issue of keys, the lessor/agent must provide at least one key for each of the locks on
the premises. This includes a key for such things as a cupboard inside the house, a garden or tool
shed at the back of the premises or indeed, the letter box. If there is more than one tenant named on
the tenancy agreement, each tenant must receive a key that secures entry to the premises or to a
road or easement that gives access. This includes units in multiple dwelling premises managed by
Property Management Gold Coast.
A legally-binding tenancy agreement underpins the guidelines for the provision of access and the
security of the property. With this in place, there can be no mistake about the rights and obligations
of any of the parties involved.
http://www.remaxres.com.au
