Who is responsible for smoke alarms?
Both property owners and tenants have responsibilities for smoke alarms during a tenancy.
The property owner is responsible for ensuring the property has compliant smoke alarms and for testing them within 30 days before the commencement or renewal of a tenancy.
During your tenancy, you are responsible for testing and cleaning the smoke alarms at least once every 12 months and replacing any flat or nearly flat replaceable batteries.
Smoke alarms must never be removed, covered, painted over or otherwise interfered with. If a smoke alarm is not working correctly, please report this to Rent Star as soon as possible.
What do I do if I lose my keys or lock myself out?
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out of the property, please contact Rent Star during business hours to check whether we can assist.
We cannot guarantee that a spare key will be available or that a Rent Star team member will be able to attend.
If we are unable to assist, you may need to arrange a locksmith at your own cost. If locks are changed or replaced, please contact Rent Star before proceeding and ensure any required replacement keys are provided to our office.
Am I responsible for water consumption?
Whether you are required to pay for water consumption will depend on the property and the terms of your tenancy agreement.
Tenants may be responsible for water consumption where the property meets the required water-efficiency and metering requirements and the tenancy agreement provides for water consumption to be charged to the tenant.
As each property is different, please refer to your tenancy agreement or contact your Rent Star property manager if you are unsure about the water charges that apply to your tenancy
Can I have a pet?
If you would like to keep a pet at your rental property, you must first request approval in writing from Rent Star.
Once received, the request will be considered in accordance with Queensland tenancy legislation and we will provide you with a written response.
Please do not bring a pet into the property until you have received the required approval.
If your pet is approved, you are responsible for any nuisance or damage caused by the pet during your tenancy. Pet-related damage is not considered fair wear and tear.
Additional requirements may also apply if your property is part of a body corporate.
Can I make changes or modifications to the property?
You must obtain written approval before attaching fixtures or making structural changes to the property.
This can include things such as installing picture hooks, wall-mounted televisions, additional locks, air conditioners, satellite dishes, electric vehicle chargers or other fixtures, as well as more significant structural modifications.
Requests must be submitted using the RTA Request for approval to attach fixtures or make structural changes (Form 23). Rent Star will consider your request with the property owner and respond in writing.
Approval may be subject to reasonable conditions, such as using a qualified tradesperson, maintaining the fixture or restoring the property at the end of your tenancy. Body corporate approval may also be required for some properties.
Please do not make any alterations or attach fixtures to the property until written approval has been received.
What happens if I fall behind in my rent?
Your rent must be paid in accordance with your tenancy agreement and remain paid up to date throughout your tenancy.
We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. If you believe you may have difficulty making a rent payment, please contact your property manager as soon as possible.
If rent remains unpaid for 7 days, a Notice to Remedy Breach (Form 11) may be issued requiring the outstanding rent to be paid within the prescribed timeframe.
If the breach is not remedied, further action may be taken in accordance with Queensland tenancy legislation, which may include issuing a Notice to Leave.
Communicating with us early is always the best approach if you are experiencing difficulty making a payment.
Can another person move into the property with me?
Please contact Rent Star before another person moves into the property.
Depending on the circumstances, the proposed occupant may need to complete an application and be approved before moving in.
If a tenant named on the tenancy agreement is being added, removed or replaced, additional documentation and approval may also be required.
Please contact your property manager before making any changes to the people living at the property so we can advise you of the correct process.
Do I need to be home for a routine inspection?
No. You are welcome to be present for your routine inspection, but you do not need to be home.
You will receive an Entry Notice (Form 9) providing the required notice and advising the scheduled time or entry window.
During the inspection, we’ll check the general condition of the property and identify any maintenance, repair or safety concerns that may require attention.
We do not recommend waiting until a routine inspection to report maintenance or repairs. Maintenance should be reported to Rent Star as soon as you become aware of it so that it can be assessed and attended to promptly.
Who is responsible for changing light bulbs?
Generally, tenants are expected to replace standard, easily accessible household light bulbs during the tenancy.
If a light fitting requires a specialised globe, specialist equipment or a tradesperson to access or replace it, please contact your property manager before arranging any work.
If you are unsure whether a particular light or fitting is your responsibility, please contact us.
What happens when my fixed-term lease is coming to an end?
Before your fixed-term tenancy ends, Rent Star will contact you regarding the owner’s intentions for the property and, where applicable, offer you a new fixed-term tenancy agreement.
Please ensure you respond to any correspondence from our team within the requested timeframe.
Whether your tenancy is renewed, ends or continues under another type of agreement will depend on the circumstances, the owner’s instructions and the requirements of Queensland tenancy legislation.
How do I give notice if I want to move out?
If you are planning to move out, please notify Rent Star in writing using the RTA Notice of intention to leave (Form 13).
The amount of notice required will depend on your tenancy agreement and your reason for leaving.
For a periodic tenancy, you will generally need to provide at least 14 days’ notice.
If you are approaching the end of a fixed-term tenancy and do not intend to renew, your notice must generally provide at least 14 days and cannot end the tenancy before the end date of your agreement.
If you need to leave before the end of your fixed-term agreement, different requirements and reletting costs may apply. Please contact your Rent Star property manager as early as possible so we can explain the process and help you through the next steps.
Once your notice has been received, we’ll provide you with information about preparing to vacate, returning keys and finalising your tenancy.
What happens if I need to end my lease early?
We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to end your fixed-term tenancy before the agreed end date, please contact your Rent Star property manager as early as possible.
For agreements of three years or less, the maximum reletting cost depends on how much of your tenancy has expired when you vacate:
- Less than 25% expired – up to 4 weeks’ rent
- 25% to less than 50% expired – up to 3 weeks’ rent
- 50% to less than 75% expired – up to 2 weeks’ rent
- 75% or more expired – up to 1 week’s rent
Importantly, the amount payable is the lesser of the applicable reletting cost above or the rent that would otherwise be payable until a new tenant moves in.
Rent Star will work to relet the property as quickly as reasonably possible to help minimise the costs associated with ending your tenancy early.
How do I get my bond back?
Once your tenancy has ended, all keys have been returned and you have handed over vacant possession of the property, Rent Star will complete the exit process.
The condition of the property will be compared with the Entry Condition Report, taking into account fair wear and tear.
We will also review any outstanding matters relating to the tenancy, which may include rent, water charges, cleaning or damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Once the exit process has been completed, Rent Star will arrange for the rental bond refund to be processed through the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA).
If there are any amounts proposed to be deducted from the bond, we will contact you regarding these as part of the finalisation of your tenancy.
What is fair wear and tear versus damage?
At the end of your tenancy, the property should be returned in substantially the same condition as it was at the beginning of your tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Fair wear and tear is the normal deterioration that occurs through everyday use, ageing and exposure over time. Examples may include faded paint or curtains from sunlight, worn carpet from normal foot traffic or minor settling cracks.
Damage is deterioration caused by accident, misuse, neglect or carelessness and may include things such as holes or chips in walls, stains or burns to carpet, damaged fixtures or damage caused by pets.
Your Entry Condition Report is an important record of the property’s condition when you move in, so we recommend checking it carefully and returning it within the required timeframe.
If accidental damage occurs during your tenancy, please report it to Rent Star as soon as possible rather than waiting until you vacate.
