Rental Terms & Payments

To commence your tenancy, you will be asked to meet with your Property Officer to go through your Tenancy Agreement in detail. It is advisable to allow at least an hour for this meeting and each person entering into this agreement must be present at this time.

Prior to your meeting, you would have been advised that you need to have paid two weeks rent in advance and a bond for the property.  The bond payable will be equivalent to four weeks rent. If you are eligible, you may be able to apply to the Department of Communities (Housing) for their “Bond Assistance Loan” or you can pay the required amount directly to Stellar Living . See “Payment Methods” below for details.

If you are wishing to have a pet at the property, this must be discussed with your Property Officer in advance as pets are not always allowed in our properties. You will also need to pay a Pet Bond of $260.

Bonds

Bonds are held with the Bond Administrator until the end of your tenancy. Once your account has been finalised (taking into account any outstanding rent arrears, water accounts or tenant liability etc), the balance of your bond may be returned to you in full or in part. Any outstanding amounts owing to Stellar Living may be taken out of the bond (upon mutual agreement or via a court order). If you rent increases during your tenancy, an additional amount may be payable by the tenant/s to increase the bond to the current bond requirement (ie: 4 weeks rent).

Your pet bond (if applicable) will be used for fumigation of the property at the end of your tenancy.

Your Rent

Your rent is due to be paid each week or fortnight (by agreement with your Property Officer), but you must always remain two weeks in advance. Your rent is not always aligned with your income payments and you may need to pay a little more to make sure that your account does not fall into arrears.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your rent payments are up to date. If you experience difficulties paying your rent, then please contact your Property Officer immediately.

Your rent is based on your household income and will be explained to you prior to you signing your Tenancy Agreement. The rent is reviewed annually and/or if your household income changes. You must inform us of any changes to your household within 14 days so we can review your rent.

Rent can be paid directly into our bank account or you can arrange for Centrepay deductions (if applicable). We do not accept cash payments.

Rent Assistance

If you are receiving a payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be eligible for Rent Assistance. It is important that you apply to the relevant agency immediately and ensure that you continue to be in receipt of that payment. This payment is paid directly to you and assists with your rent payments.

Payment methods

Tenants are liable for rent, water usage, tenant liability and other amounts owing to Stellar Living. You are able to make these payments by utilising the following;

Centrepay – this is a free service available to Centrelink customers who wish to have their payments made directly out of their pension to Stellar Living via the direct deduction scheme.

Direct Deposit – to Stellar Living’s bank, as per details below:

Bank:        National Australia Bank

BSB:          086 006

Account:  11 366 5834

Reference:  put your name or your property address

There are no receipts issued for electronic transactions, but copies of your rent sheet can be made available upon request.

Money order or Cheque – all cheques or money orders paid to Stellar will be issued with a receipt.

Legal action taken to recover arrears are in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act.

Your Tenancy Agreement

Your Tenancy Agreement is a legal document. It is very important that you keep the conditions of your Tenancy Agreement or you may lose your home. If you need any clarification on your Tenancy Agreement, please speak to your Property Officer.

You can also seek advice from www.tenancywa.org.au or your local community legal advice centre.

If your property is a strata property you will also be advised of the strata bylaws (there may also be additional rules relating to your property if it is in a complex/estate).

Your Ingoing Property Condition Report

Within seven days of your tenancy commencing, you will be provided with a report detailing the condition of the property prior at handover. You will be asked to review this report and return it to us within seven days, especially if you disagree with anything on the report.

Your Ingoing Property Condition Report is important as we will expect your property to be returned to us at the same standard as when you moved in. We do allow for normal wear and tear but any damage to the property will be your responsibility to repair prior to moving out. If you leave belongings in the property or do not repair damage to the property, then you will be charged for the costs associated to rectify.

Damage to the property

If you damage the property you will be charged for the costs incurred to fix the damage and this will be called Tenant Liability. You must advise Stellar Living as soon as the damage occurs.

Property inspections

You will have a property inspection about 6 weeks after the start of your tenancy. This is a good opportunity to discuss with your Property Officer any problems with the property you are experiencing. We are allowed to do up to four property inspections a year and you will be given between 7 and 14 days’ notice that we will be attending. We may also have to come to your property on other occasions, for instance to follow up on a breach or to get access for emergencies or to complete maintenance. We will always provide you with the required notice that we are attending.