Before deciding to lease a property, there are a few rules and regulations that you need to take into consideration.

Firstly, a Residential Tenancy Agreement, or lease, will be drawn up and is the legal contract that both you and your landlord must abide by. A lease will include information, such as:

• The location of the property,
• The rent payable,
• The amount of the bond that you will have to pay, 
• The commencement and end dates of your tenancy,
• The landlord's name, and
• Details of the managing agents, Harris Tripp First National. 

The Residential Tenancy Agreement used by Harris Tripp First National is approved by the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading, the government department that controls, and overseas, all matters regarding real estate in this state.

As a tenant you will be obliged to:

• Always pay your rent on time,
• Keep the property clean,
• Not cause any damage to occur to the property,
• Inform Harris Tripp First National immediately, should any damage occur,
• Request the landlord's permission to install fixtures, or make any alterations, renovations, etc.,
• Avoid causing a nuisance to your neighbours, and 
• Not participate in any illegal activity at the property.

• Keep the premises in good repair,
• Ensure that the property is secure,
• Immediately provide the tenant with a key after changing any locks, and
• Avoid disturbing the tenant, unnecessarily.

Once you have signed a Residential Tenancy Agreement, and paid the bond, you will be provided with a Condition Report as to the state of the property as it is when you take occupancy. You will be required to check the Report carefully and to immediately advise Harris Tripp First National of any differences, as this will be the basis on which the amount of bond will be returned to you at the end of your tenancy.

The Office of Fair Trading are very helpful and you can always phone them for advice regarding any real estate matter in New South Wales. Their telephone number is 02 9895 0111, or you can visit their website: