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Urgent maintenance providers

The following trades are working and are IPG's approved trades over the festive season.

  • All Tradez Electrical – 0498 880 105
  • Level Plumbing – 02 6185 0341
  • LJ Air – 02 5500 5504
  • SES - 132500

It is also good to understand what is an urgent repair. The below list is what constitutes an urgent repair. Please take a minute to read though to ensure your repair falls into this category.

The following are urgent repairs in relation to the premises, or services or fixtures supplied by the lessor:

  •  (a) a burst water service;
  •  (b) a blocked or broken lavatory system;
  •  (c) a serious roof leak;
  •  (d) a gas leak;
  •  (e) a dangerous electrical fault;
  •  (f) flooding or serious flood damage;
  •  (g) serious storm or fire damage;
  •  (h) a failure of gas, electricity or water supply to the premises;
  •  (i) the failure of a refrigerator supplied with the premises;
  •  (j) a failure or breakdown of any service on the premises essential for hot water, cooking, heating, cooling or laundering;
  •  (k) a fault or damage that causes the residential premises to be unsafe or insecure;
  •  (l) a fault or damage likely to cause injury to person or property;
  •  (m) a serious fault in any door, staircase, lift or other common area that inhibits or unduly inconveniences the tenant in gaining access to and use of the premises.

Tenancy approval

I’ve been approved for a property. What’s next?

Congratulations! The next step is your property manager will be in touch with you to arrange the signing of your lease agreement.

Can I look over the Tenancy Agreement before the sign-up?

We’ll send you the relevant legislation documents and a list of helpful tips. Make sure you read them prior to signing the lease agreement. If you have any questions, reach out to your property manager.

When do I clarify any questions that I might have?

Ask any further questions when they arise. Your property manager is here to assist you and answer any questions you have along the way.

When do I need to connect my utilities?

Organise with your electricity/gas provider to have your services connected on the first day of the tenancy. Take advantage of any free services on offer by an agency to assist with your utility connection.

What are my upfront costs?

Upfront you will be required to pay the bond (4 week's rent) direct to the bond office. You will also need to pay 2 weeks rent upfront prior to collecting the keys. Your property manager will confirm the payment details with you. All payment are required to be cleared prior to keys being released.

Paying rent

How do I change my rent account details?

You can change your account details at any time through the Sorted app.

How can I get a copy of my rent receipts?

Rent receipts can be easily accessed through Sorted. Just log into your Sorted account and go to the ‘statement section’.

How can I find out my login details for Sorted?

Forgotten your Sorted user name or password? Just click the ‘forgotten password’ or the ‘forgot my login’ link on the Sorted app home page and follow the directions.

Reporting property maintenance

Do I have to be home during routine inspections?

No, you don’t need to be present during routine inspections. If this is the case, we will use our set of office keys to access the property.
If you would like to be present during your routine inspection, please let your property manager know so they can arrange a time that works for both of you.

How do I report an urgent maintenance issue if the office is closed?

In the event of urgent repairs occurring outside of office hours (between 5pm and 8.30am Monday to Friday and 24/7 on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays), please follow our ACT procedures.

What defines a maintenance issue?

A maintenance issue is when something is not working as it’s intended e.g. appliances, leaking taps, doors not latching, blocked drains, etc. There’s also general property upkeep such as failed hot water systems.

What am I responsible for?

You are responsible for replacing light bulbs and batteries where safe to do so, as well as maintaining the garden, including mowing and weeding. All other maintenance and repair work is the responsibility of the owner.

How do I report maintenance?

All maintenance needs to be reported in writing. You can either email your maintenance requests to maintenance@bricksandagent.com or log your request directly through Bricks and Agent.

Do I need to report maintenance if it’s only a minor issue?

It is a term of your agreement to report all repairs and maintenance as early as possible. Even if the problem is only minor now, it could easily worsen and cause more damage in the long term, especially when it relates to electrical or plumbing work.

What constitutes an urgent repair?

Urgent Repairs as set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1997
as follows:

  • A burst water system
  • A blocked or broken lavatory system
  • A serious roof leak
  • A gas leak
  • A dangerous electrical fault
  • Flooding or serious flood damage
  • Serious storm or fire damage
  • A failure of gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
  • The failure of a refrigerator supplied with the premises
  • A failure or breakdown of any service on the premises
    essential for hot water, cooking, heating, cooling or laundering
  • A fault or damage that causes the residential premises to be
    unsafe or insecure
  • A fault or damage likely to cause injury to person or property
  • A serious fault in any door, staircase, lift or other common
    area which inhibits or unduly inconveniences the tenant in
    gaining access to and use of the premises.

Anything outside of this is general maintenance and should
be reported to your Property Manager in writing the next
business day.

Once I’ve reported the issue, what happens next?

Once we receive your maintenance request, we seek the owner’s instructions and approval (and obtain quotes if need be). We’ll keep you informed during this process and provide updates as things progress.

How long does the owner have to attend to maintenance?

The owner has 4 weeks from the time of reporting to attend to a maintenance issue. In the case of urgent repairs, these must be attended to ASAP.

When will the tradesperson come to complete the work?

The tradesperson will be in touch with you to organise an appropriate time to complete the work. It’s essential that you don’t ignore calls from unrecognised numbers if you report maintenance, as it’s probably the tradesperson trying to organise a time with you. If you don’t hear anything within a couple of days, please let your Property Manager know. If you prefer, you can give us permission to hand out our office set of keys for the tradesperson to attend when you’re not home.

What happens if the tradesperson doesn’t fix the issue?

Please get in contact with us immediately and we’ll follow up with the tradesperson urgently to have any outstanding work completed.

Vacating your property

Do I need to be present at the final inspection?

We strongly recommend you, or a representative, attends the final inspection.

How much notice do I have to provide to vacate?

Whether you’re in a fixed term or periodic tenancy, you need to provide a minimum of 21 days’ notice in writing to your Property Manager (email is fine).

What happens if I have to break the lease and move early?

The owner must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, but you’re required to compensate the owner for the breach.

If there is a specific clause in your Tenancy Agreement, you will be required to pay a breach cost of 6 weeks’ rent when the breach occurs within the first half of the fixed term, or 4 weeks’ rent when the breach occurs within the second half of the fixed term.

How thoroughly do I have to clean the property?

The property must be returned in a clean condition, as per the inventory and condition report (fair wear and tear considered) please refer to your condition report. The carpets must also be professionally steam-cleaned and you’ll need to provide the receipt to your Property Manager. We also have a list of cleaners who  we can recommend to do the cleaning on your behalf.

What is fair wear and tear?

Fair wear and tear is the expected deterioration of the property from both natural forces (wind, rain, sun etc.) and normal, day-to-day use.

I had a pet in the property...is there anything else I need to do?

Upon vacating the property, the tenants must have the property professionally cleaned, carpets professionally steam cleaned and the carpets pet treated with fumigation and deodorizing and receipts provided, as per section 71AE (4) (ii) of the Residential Tenancies ACT 1997, as well as any other items specified in your Tenancy Agreement.

Under what circumstances will my full bond not be refunded?

If the property is damaged or unclean, or if there are unpaid invoices or rent, the cost to cover damages or unpaid amounts will be claimed from the bond.

When is the final inspection and do I need to have moved out already?

The final inspection is usually conducted on the final day you pay rent or as soon as possible after, to be arranged at a suitable time with your Property Manager. All your personal belongings must be removed and the property thoroughly cleaned. This is also the time that all keys, swipes and fobs must be returned.

What if the property doesn’t pass the final inspection?

You’ll be given the chance to rectify any issues within 24 hours or we can organise for the work to be done on your behalf at your cost. A reinspection will occur once this is completed.

What are the most important things I need to arrange before I vacate?

  • Organise a cleaner and removalist or allow plenty of time if you’re doing it yourself
  • Organise professional carpet cleaning allowing enough time for them to dry before the final inspection
  • Close or transfer your utility accounts (gas/electricity/internet)
  • Redirect your mail
  • Ensure all rent is paid up to date and advise to cease any direct debits

When will my bond be refunded and how long will it take?

Your bond will be refunded once:

  • the final inspection has been passed inline with the inventory and condition report;
  • all keys have been returned to your Property Manager; and
  • all outstanding rent and invoices have been paid.

The bonds office will contact you to confirm your information once the bond refund form has been lodged. If there are any delays, please follow up with the bond office directly.

We want renting to be simple

That's why we use Sorted

Log into the ‘Sorted Services’ app on your tablet or smart phone to pay utilities, change bank account or rent details, or obtain a copy of your rent payment history. Your login details were supplied when you signed up, or you would have received them in an email.

Having trouble?

If you can't log into Sorted, let us know and we'll give you a hand.

North Office - 02 6209 1555
South Office - 02 6209 5000