Fuzzy Duck

I was just wondering who is responsible for which bills while renting in Queensland.

I am told that the landlord pays the council rates which includes the Water rates, is this correct?

That would leave us, the tenant responsible for the electric, telephone and obviously the rent. Is there anything I am overlooking here?

Please forgive the dumbness of my question but we have never rented before as we owned a house in the UK.

Un-Co

Hi Fuzzy Duck. Am in Sydney not Brizzie so someone else will probably be able to tell you if it's different there, but here it can vary. In our last place the landlord paid the water but we've just moved to somewhere it's metered and we pay accordingly. I think it depends on your lease. We've never had to pay any other council rates though just the usual phone, gas and electric - no nasty suprises so far! Hope this helps.

jensteve

Water usage is usually billed direct to you, although the landlord pays the rates you pay for the water you use.
Cant really think of anything else that would apply other than pool maintenance and garden mowing.

Jenny

ABCDiamond

In some leases the tenant has to mow the lawn themselves, and change tap washers.

But yes, The Landlord pays the Rates, and the Water access standing charge. Actual water usage can be passed on to the tenant if it is metered, but some landlords will even pay the water themselves, to ensure that the tenant keeps the lawn watered

You do need to pay for your own "Contents" insurance.

bondipom

Our landlord replaced the tap washers, pays the water and the rates.

gedge

Same here. Recently had a few tiles move on the roof causing a small flood inside. Landlord paid for repairs to that too.

Fuzzy Duck

We are going to look at a place on Saturday morning and really want to get it. The problem is we know we are going to have competition from other couples, maybe they will have previous references from landlords etc.

As we have never rented before (Not even in the UK) what can we do to maximise our chances of getting the house?

Thanks for all your help so far.

Merlot

Excellent point to remember, do get it.

I thought it was a waste until we were burgled in Sydney and NRMA came up tops.

M

gedge

Someties it might seem like there's nowt you can do.
A few tips:
Try and get an application form from the agency before the day. Fill it in and take it with you. Ask the agent if anything is not clear. Try and get your application in early - maybe even now before everyone else?

If you end up having to go to the agents office, make sure you know the quickest way there. Sometimes it helps if you are first in line.

If poss, ask the agent to contact the owner whilst you are there. They may make a decision based on your keenness.

Make sure you have all the documents requested by the agent - bank details, id, references, passports with visas - anything you can think of.
We took a bank statement showing a healthy balance, personal and business references, passports, driving licences.

Speak to the agent and get them on your side - not always easy, but they are mostly human and can respond better if you're nice to them. We would go so far as to intercept them before they reached the property or as they left to get ourselves noticed and get some of their time.

Don't get your hopes up too high, and don't rely on the agents to do you any favours. Keep chasing them.

Good luck.

spalen

Our landlord pays rates, water and repairs. Water is metered and we have to pay anything over a certain amount(can't remember exactly)excessive use.

spalens wife

spalen

If you want to remove the problem of references you offer to pay cash up front - they worry more about your ability to pay than anything else. The 'bond' will cover if you smash up the place but they worry about having to evict you for not paying .

We offered 6mths up front then the agent said dont worry 3mths will do - so we're paying 3mths rent upfront , get a rental holiday for 3mths , then strat paying monthly.

The water usage we got included 'free' was 175kilo litres per 6mths which is about 1000 litres per day !

Merlot

My Aussie friend rented her 3 bed place at Tuggerah as they have moved to the US for a few years.

The British family that moved in without references had to pay 6 months, but this probably varies from Real Estates.

M