Checklist for Renting Property

For many people, renting property is their first real estate experience after moving from home, the first step along the road to acquiring property. Renting gives you the time you need to save the deposit for your first home and to get a feel of where you want to live. It is also an ideal time to build a relationship with your local agent regarding help in buying and financing your first property. UNO Property Management provides you with following list of points to consider when renting a property:

Finding a rental property in Auckland

• Decide where you’d like to live
• Drive around or walk the area to be sure
• Decide on how much rent you can afford
• Don’t forget other costs like water rates and electricity
• Use online search services
• Get to the paper early to plan your visits and calls to agents
• Check if pets are allowed
• Check connections such as phone and cable
• Check access to public transport

Tenant entitlements

• Check details of the lease such as who pays water rates
• Check landlords obligation to make essential repairs regarding plumbing, electricity, water heater, etc
• Check Tenancy Services web sites for helpful information
• Make sure your bond is lodged with the appropriate rental bond board and you have a receipt

Tenants obligations

• You will be required to sign a lease
• Alert the agent in writing of any prior damage to the property before moving in so you will not be held liable
• Pay a rental bond
• Pay the rent on time
• Pay for any agreed outgoings such as water usage
• Keep the property in good order
• Provide access to the property manager for agreed property inspections
• Conform to local council regulations such as noise, garbage collection, etc

What to do if there is a problem

• Contact your property manager immediately
• Make sure you have all emergency numbers handy for repairs and assistance
• Know your neighbours as you may need their help

First time tenants in Auckland

If you have never rented before, what are some of the reference documents you will have to supply the owner or agent?

This can seem like a bit of a “Catch 22” – if you have not rented before, so you cannot provide a rental history, so you cannot rent, and so on. Don’t worry. EVERY tenant has rented for the first time in the past, so the problem is solvable.

A property manager’s main concerns when assessing suitability for a property is an applicant’s ability to pay the rent and their ability to care for the property in a suitable manner and in accordance with the terms of the lease.

If you have just sold your home, supply the name and contact number of the agent who handled the sale as a reference point. If you have been in student accommodation, supply the name and contact number of the person responsible for the management of the complex. If you have lived with your parents, you will need personal references and you may choose for a parent to sign the lease in addition to you.

Examples of documentation you can provide that will help make these decisions include:

• Verification of employment
• Verification of income
• Reference from employer or fellow staff member
• Reference from neighbour/teacher/business person/doctor/accountant
• Photo identification – driver’s licence/passport/student ID
• Three personal references – these should not be from relatives
• Last gas/electricity/phone bill or rates notice
• Copy of bank statement
• Registration number of vehicle
• Last address