One of the big steps to adulthood is finally moving out of the parents’ and finding your feet out there on your own. It’s a daunting experience the first time around not knowing what to expect and how all the costs can add up.
Here at Able Removals we’ve come up with some advice so you know exactly what to expect when you’re moving for the first time to keep it as stress-free as possible.
Rental bonds
A rental bond is a security deposit paid at the start of the tenancy and protects landlords and every tenant is expected to lodge one. Once you move out of the property, if there is any damage this will be deducted from your bond.
It’s held by a regulatory body and is usually the equivalent to four weeks rent. It’s a hefty chunk of money so make sure you have available funds for the bond as well as initial rent.
There’s never any guarantee you’ll get your bond back at the end of your lease. When you fill out your condition report, be as precise as possible and detail any issues and take photographs as evidence.
Even if you leave the rental property in pristine condition, if the home has carpets, you’ll likely be required to have them steam cleaned before you get your bond back. So be prepared for that extra cost when you end up moving out.
Tenancy agreements
You will be legally bound to rent the house, unit or apartment for a certain amount of time as stipulated in your tenancy agreement. If you leave the rent early you’ll be breaking the lease and this can be costly. It will mean you are liable for the rent until another tenant can be found or the tenancy expires.
Rent inspections
Rental inspections can be tortuous for tenants and are usually held every three months. You’ll have to ensure your house is tidy and clean for this routine check carried out on behalf of the landlord. Understandably, many tenants don’t like the intrusion.
It’s an idea to put these rental inspection dates on your fridge, in your phone calendar or anything else that’s going to make sure you don’t forget and leave the house in a state for when the real estate agent or landlord comes to inspect.
If anything isn’t working or there are defects, flag it up during an inspection visit.
Late payments
Make sure you keep up with your payments. If your rent is late by more than fourteen days, you could face eviction. It’s always best to advise the real estate agency or landlord of your position if you get into financial difficulties.
It’s also worth remembering that if you’re going to be renting again in the future, your current landlord will be likely be used as a reference and being a bad/late payer is often a dealbreaker, especially when there is competition for the property.
Keep the neighbours on your side
It’s always wise to be considerate to your neighbours.
Many will be homeowners and want to keep the area respectable, so before you think about hosting late night parties or parking lots of cars on the road, be mindful as to how it could affect your relationship with them.
It’s a good idea to pop over to your immediate neighbours, introduce yourself and provide your contact details if there’s any issues. This can save you experiencing anonymous calls to your landlord, the council or the Police depending on the situation.
Look after your garden
It’s not just the house which needs to be well maintained, you’ll also need to look after the garden. Grass needs to be mown regularly, edges trimmed and bushes cut back.
In most rental agreements, you can be given notices for not tending to the garden and depending on your landlord, something as simple as not running a mower and weed spray over the lawn on the weekends could get you evicted.
Swimming pools
If you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool your tenancy agreement will advise whether you need to maintain this or whether an outside contractor will look after it. If it’s your responsibility, keep it clean and tidy, ensure the water is filtered and chemicals are added regularly.
Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone and can be the first step towards independence and by being organised you may even find the experience enjoyable.
Able Removals is a long-established removals company serving Perth and the surrounding area. We can offer you peace of mind whether you are moving into a rented or bought property. Contact us today to find out more.
