First things first, understand your lease agreement!  

 

This agreement is the ultimate guide to your new home. It will include important information such as: 

 

• The length of your tenancy, the rental amount, and the bond amount
• Important conditions and rules of the tenancy 
• An outline of responsibilities and obligations for all parties
• Maintenance & Emergency Maintenance Guidelines for your property, pool and garden 
• Your Entry Condition Report, making amendments and how to protect your bond
• How to clean air conditioning filters, and information about smoke alarms
• Information on breaking your lease
• Cyclone details and information resources 
• Inspections, keys, access and notice
• Occupancy and how to give notice at the end of your lease 

 

We encourage you to read your agreement carefully and refer back to it when you need. Don’t hesitate to raise any questions specific to your property and special conditions, with your Property Manager.

Make sure you know exactly how to pay your rent and bond

Paying your rent is usually quite straightforward, but there are specific details that you need to be aware of. At the start of your tenancy, you will be asked to pay your bond, plus two weeks’ rent in advance. Keep in mind however, that your rent will be due again in two weeks’ time (get a full explanation of the two weeks in advance condition here). Other things to note are making sure you understand where to pay your rent, and how to make sure it is paid on time. Paying a few days in advance can help prevent possible banking delays or issues that unexpectedly cause your payment to be processed late. Our lease includes amounts and bank details for your future reference, too.

HOT TIP: Setting up an automatic transfer is a great way to make sure you never miss a rental payment.

 

Move in your furniture like a pro 

This is one of the more exciting parts of moving into your home! Although, when you have a whole house’s worth of items to move in, planning is key to avoiding unnecessary stress or delays. To ensure this process is a smooth one, you can find practical tips and tricks with our ultimate moving checklist.

 

Get to know your Property Manager 

Having a familiar relationship with your Property Manager - even if you don’t correspond with them very much - will allow you to feel comfortable bringing any issues or questions to their attention. You can find the profiles of all of our fantastic property managers here, with information about their industry experience, interests and why they LOVE property management so much! At Absolute, we genuinely appreciate any opportunity to improve our service should there be an unusual situation encountered that requires some help. To share feedback, contact our management team here.

 

Have utilities transferred and/or set up

Before you move in, some utilities (such as water) will already be installed. Tenants need to connect their power, NBN, and gas (when necessary, and if applicable). Utilities must be arranged with the provider directly.  

 

Obtain details of key contractors to call for maintenance or emergency repairs

Although you may feel like you have the perfect house, emergencies (or annoying inconveniences) can still happen! Having reliable contractors and a clear process for navigating maintenance and repairs will minimise stress for everyone involved. Your Property Manager will provide a list of numbers to contact should the unexpected happen and you will also find a list of contractors in your lease. Should there be an emergency after hours, please call our landline on 8930 6600 – you will be directed to the Duty Property Manager, and a list of emergency contractors. When reporting emergencies after hours, please ensure you leave a voice message and send our Property Manager a text, so that they can confirm the nature of your call is an emergency matter.

 

Looking to move into a new rental? At Absolute Real Estate NT, we’ve got a range of excellent properties across the city of Darwin to choose from. With our support and advice, you can find the right home for your family and work with property managers who are prompt, proactive and dedicated to giving you top-quality service. Find our rental listings here. 

Additionally, subscribe to our mailing list to receive exclusive notifications on our rental and sales listings that are coming to market soon.