Information for tenants
As a tenant, you’ll want to work with a trusted agency.
Edinburgh Realty has had a dedicated Property Management department for over 20 years with a team who are highly experienced in the ins-and-outs of tenancy law and have a focus on ensuring you the best service. A local company with a solely Otago focus, you know you’re working with people who know the area like the backs of their hands. Edinburgh Realty are here to answer your questions and ease you through the process of renting a property.
FAQs
What fees do I pay to Edinburgh Realty?
If you change a tenant part way through your tenancy (one tenant leaves and another person enters the tenancy) the outgoing tenant will be charged a Tenancy Assignment Fee.
What payments do I need to make before I move in?
You need to pay a bond and one weeks rent in advance.
How much is the bond?
Your bond is equivalent to four weeks rent. This is held in trust by Tenancy Services, which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
When do I get my bond back?
At the end of your tenancy – assuming your landlord has not made any claims – your bond is returned in full. However, if there is damage, rent owing or cleaning up required, the landlord may make a claim against your bond. You are however able to dispute this, via the tenancy tribunal, if you feel your landlord has been unfair.
What types of tenancies are there?
There are both Periodic and Fixed Term Tenancies. Periodic Tenancies have a start date and no end date and can be terminated by either party giving the required notice. Fixed Term Tenancies have a start date and an end date and cannot be terminated before the end date stated on the Tenancy Agreement, unless agreement is reached between both parties.
What if I want to end my tenancy?
If you are in a fixed-term tenancy agreement, neither you nor landlord can terminate it, unless by mutual agreement. If you are in a periodic tenancy agreement, it can be ended by either party giving notice. In the case of the tenant, you need to give 28 days written notice. In the case of the landlord, they need to give you 63 days written notice if the property has been sold or if it is needed by a member of the landlord’s family. If the landlord is ending the tenancy for any other reason, they must give 90 days written notice.
Can my rent go up during my tenancy?
Yes. However, it cannot be increased within 360 days of the start date of the tenancy agreement or within 360 days of any previous rent increase. The landlord must give you 60 days notice before they implement any increase.
The oven isn't working. What can I do?
Talk to Tapi - our 24/7 service that guides you through your maintenance issue and logs a maintenance request if necessary. This is the most efficient way of resolving your maintenance or repair issue. More often than not, the oven has been inadvertently set to “automatic” mode. Ovens’ dials vary, but there will be a “hand” icon or something equivalent indicating “manual” mode – this is what you want your oven to be set to. Non-working ovens can also be a blown fuse (look at the switches in the fuse box and re-set). Or has the oven been accidently turned off at the wall by someone else?
If your issue requires further attention your job will be logged via Tapi and someone will be in touch regarding repairs or maintenance as soon as possible. You will find Tapi under our 'Property Maintenance' tab
What do I do if my drain is blocked?
If it’s a major blockage, talk to Tapi - our 24/7 service that guides you through your maintenance issue and logs a maintenance request if necessary. This is the most efficient way of resolving your maintenance or repair issue. If it’s a case of a slow-draining kitchen sink, try pouring boiling hot water down the plug hole. This is often enough to dislodge the blockage. There are also commercial products available that can deal with clearing partially-blocked pipes.
If your issue requires further attention your job will be logged via Tapi and someone will be in touch regarding repairs or maintenance as soon as possible. You will find Tapi under our 'Property Maintenance' tab
Why is there no hot water?
It may be switched off – particularly if your tenancy is new and the property has been unoccupied for a period. If you are brand new to the house, have you arranged an electricity provider? If not, that will explain it.
If it’s gas hot water, check the gas bottles have gas in them (a wee push of the cylinder will tell you if they are full and heavy, or light and empty). If they are empty, call you gas provider to arrange a re-fill.
If you have tried the above and you still have no hot water, talk to Tapi - our 24/7 service that guides you through your maintenance issue and logs a maintenance request if necessary. If your issue requires further attention your job will be logged via Tapi and someone will be in touch regarding repairs or maintenance as soon as possible. You will find Tapi under our 'Property Maintenance' tab
There is no power at all. What do I do?
If you’ve just moved in, check that you’ve actually arranged an electricity provider. If your power has stopped unexpectedly, contact your electricity provider. It may be that there is a fault affecting several houses in your street.
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