Tenant
noun: a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord
Want to build a smooth relationship with your landlord, get a good reference and your bond back at the end of your tenancy? Follow these hot tips on how to be a good tenant! You have responsibilities as a tenant and it’s important you live up to them. Otherwise, your landlord could request a chunk of your bond or take you to the Tenancy Tribunal.
- Be truthful on your flat/property application – honesty is the best policy here!
- Read your tenancy agreement thoroughly. Know what you are signing up for! OUSA Student Support can look over your agreement with you for free.
- Pay rent on time from one bank account and all in one lump sum (the only time you can withhold rent is if the Tenancy Tribunal says so).
- Take photos of everything when you move in AND out. The first thing you should do is get your phone out and take pictures of everything – and we mean EVERYTHING: every room, wall, ceiling and floor! Save these in a backup file just in case anything goes wrong or breaks throughout your tenancy.
- Communication with your landlord is key! Report any damage and repairs to your landlord/ property manager ASAP, no matter how it was done, no matter how big or small. And always ensure you have a written record of your communication. Even if you’ve had a phone call, send a follow up email to confirm what you have talked about and agreed on.
- Clean and ventilate regularly (at least 15 mins a day) and don’t trash your flat or let friends trash it! As part of the tenancy, you must keep the premises reasonably clean and tidy.
- Be respectful and be a good neighbour. Not interfering with the peace, privacy and comfort of your neighbours is a requirement of your tenancy.
- Pets: You must get the landlord’s permission to have pets, and think carefully about who takes responsibility for the pet long-term. Alternatively, come and visit José (OUSA Student Support dog). Check out the Tenancy Services website for more info around flatting with pets.
- Make sure you’re present (in person or digitally) at the final exit inspection at the end of the tenancy.
For further advice and support on the above come into OUSA Student Support and check out the other helpful pages on our website for more info on flatting and student life.