Are you aware of the notice periods surrounding visiting your rental property, and the importance of this?
If not, then I suggest you read up on the tenancy law as just today I was reading a Tenancy Tribunal case where the tenant was awarded $500 in exemplary damages for not being given the required notice to undertake maintenance work.
While you may think that tenants would not take umbrage to allowing access to get repairs done, it is important to ensure they are kept informed and notified of tradespeople visiting.
In this instance, it does sound like it was not a one-off case, with reportedly a tradesperson turning up unannounced at the property requiring access. Further to this, it turns out the owner had given the tradespeople a garage door remote for the property without advising the tenants! I am sure most of us would be put out if someone just accessed our homes with no knowledge, so it is not fair that this landlord was doing so.
The required notice is a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for a tradesperson, or the owner, to visit to undertake maintenance, and the maximum fine for not giving the correct notice could be up to $1000.
In this instance, the fine was $500 as it was proven that the access was for genuine repairs and maintenance and there were no aggravating circumstances.
There are many different rules surrounding access to rental properties, and cases like this prove the importance of knowing them. If you would like to find out more just give me a call.
Katrina Green
Operations Manager – Property Management
M 027 606 0030
E katrina.green@raywhite.com
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