We will conduct our first routine inspection at the property approximately 3 months after the commencement of your lease and then every 6 months. The main purpose is to provide a report to the owner that you are maintaining the property, and also to check for any repairs and make any recommendations to the owner.

We ask that before the periodic inspection you:

• Ensure that our office has your current phone numbers and email address
• Your rent is paid in advance (as per your Residential Tenancy Agreement)
• All keys to new locks are provided to this office as well as any security device codes and the location of the device
• Any damage to the property is repaired or rectified
• All terms of your Residential Tenancy Agreement are being met (refer to your current agreement)
• Any pets (if you are permitted pets) are secured, so they cannot run loose
• A list of any outstanding maintenance or issues you would like us to inspect and report to the landlord is sent to our office via fax or email

Attendance to the following matters prior to our inspection will save time and prevent unnecessary (and often unpleasant) conversations/actions. Subject to the condition of the property at the commencement of your tenancy (refer to your Condition Report, issued when you signed your Tenancy Agreement) you should ensure that:

• The property is very clean and tidy throughout with any stains removed from the carpets
• All cupboards, shelves, drawers and benches are cleaned
• Walls and doors are cleaned of all marks
• Stove, griller, oven and exhaust fans are cleaned
• Windows and sills are cleaned inside, and outside where possible
• All garbage, bottles and rubbish is removed from the premises
• The garage and/or storeroom is cleaned out, free of cobwebs and grease marks are removed from car space/garage
• Bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned, with all mould and soap scum removed from tiles and grouting. Ceiling mould must also be removed. Toilets to be cleaned inside and out, and the bathroom floors to be mopped
• Lawns and edges are trimmed and gardens weeded (this applies to townhouses and houses)

If all of these items are met for all of your periodic inspections this will assist you in receiving a very positive rental reference from this agency upon vacating the premises.

Photos also note that the inspection may also involve taking photos of any repairs required, and a photo of the grounds front and back. It is policy that we do not take photos of tenant possessions.

When you are renting, the owner of the property you are living in is responsible for damage or loss to the building and fittings, but you are responsible for your own possessions – such as your clothes, furniture, electrical goods, books and other valuable belongings.

When a disaster occurs, tenants are often the ones to lose everything and miss out on compensation. Renter’s insurance is a form of contents cover designed for people living in rented properties.

It protects against financial loss from specific risks such as fire or burglary, or against accidental loss or damage. It can also cover you for accidental damage to fixtures and fittings of the property that you are renting, or provide financial cover for legal liability. It may also cover your possessions when you move between properties.

This type of policy varies between insurers, so it is worthwhile comparing policies to find the features that best suit your needs.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, urgent repairs in a rental property are:

• burst water service
• blocked or broken toilet system
• serious roof leak
• gas leak
• dangerous electrical fault
• flooding or serious flood damage
• serious storm or fire damage
• failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance provided by a landlord or agent for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or
• failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply
• any fault or damage in the premises that makes the premises unsafe or insecure
• an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working properly and causes a substantial amount of water to be wasted
• a serious fault in a lift or staircase.

We as your property managers are here to assist your during your tenancy.

If you have maintenance issues that you unable to resolve, please lodge your maintenance issue with WCO immediately. Failure to do so could leave you responsible for damages incurred. Maintenance Request Form will be available online for lodgement. You can also lodge your request in writing, in person, by fax or email.

If you need EMERGENCY repair(s) please follow the guidelines as specified in the “Renting a home Guide page 21”.

**Please contact after hours contact number 0455 040 188 If you require assistance after hours, during weekends or public holidays**.

In the event that the tenant is not home and an appointment has been booked directly between the tenant and a trades-person, please be advised that should a call out fee be charged by the trades-company – the tenant will be liable for the charges.

Please complete the form below to submit a maintenance request.

WCO Rental Team operates from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. For urgent out of office hours maintenance, please refer to your lease agreement for emergency contact details. Please provide us as much detail as possible about your repair requests.