If the water is separately metered, the Tenant can be held responsible for water usage. In Townsville, it is common for the water to be included in the rent, as most Owners opt for the Standard Water Plan with their rates - this allows up to 772kL per year. There may also be additional water efficiency requirements to be met, depending on the current water efficiency of your property. There is a section on the Tenancy Agreement that details the conditions of water usage charges. From the date a Tenant commences and if specified on the Tenancy Agreement, Tenants are responsible to pay for electricity, telephone, gas plus water usage charges. The Landlord is responsible to pay Council / Shire sewerage and drainage rates, Land Tax and all corporate charges.

FAQs | Meraki Property Management

Q: Would the property sit vacant for <60 days?

This is a common question asked by Insurance Providers. The simple answer is no. RHL are the initial lease holders, and the property is sub-leased to their qualifying tenant. All rental payments are required to be made by RHL, regardless of occupancy. However, due to their long waitlist the period of vacancy would be minimal, ensuring ongoing occupancy of the property.

Q: How does RHL choose their tenants?

RHL have a well-documented process to ensure all decisions are made fairly and transparently. This includes: Long term, transitional, affordable and crisis housing programs An Allocations Questionnaire must be completed for all internal or external referrals. This form assesses the applicants’ needs and capacity to move into a property. An allocation meeting is held and must include one senior manager and two other staff members from either the Supports Team or Housing Services Team. This makes up the ‘Allocations Panel.’ The Allocations Panel discusses each applicant and assesses their circumstances and any factors that may affect their tenancy. The panel determines the offer order of preference. Factors to consider when making decisions include household needs, match to property, neighbourhood fatigue, previous tenancy history, etc. The outcome is recorded in 'Greentree'. For long term, transitional and affordable housing types, Regional Housing staff will notify the department via the Housing Register Advice Form Long term, transitional and affordable housing allocations are completed as per the Queensland government’s Allocations Policy for Funded Social Housing Providers (Including longer-term and transitional housing services) and associated procedure SPPRO1: Allocations procedures for funded social housing providers. Crisis Accommodation Program tenancies will be allocated from referrals received internally or from other organisations. Referred customers will be assessed to ensure they meet the requirements outlined in the service agreement and/or the Homelessness Program Guidelines as relevant.

Q: How often are routine inspections?

Routine inspections are typically conducted quarterly, in attendance with both myself and the RHL Property Manager

Q: What are the terms of a head lease?

Headleases with RHL are 12 monthly, up to 30th June the following year. An example of the full agreement, including terms and conditions, is available here for review.

Q: Do I pay for the telephone connection?

It is recommended that if the Property is new or has been vacant for awhile and a telephone line is not connected to the Property, the Landlord considers paying for a line connection. We recommend the Tenant organises the work and submits the account to us for the Landlord to pay. The Tenant is responsible to pay for the service connection to the line and all services used.

Q: Are all repairs done properly?

Work arranged by our Agency for your Property is carried out by a suitably qualified and licensed tradesperson. If the work required is covered by a warranty, our Agency contacts the supplier, or if the work is claimable under your Landlord or any other insurance policy, we can contact the insurer to claim on your behalf. Our Agency has access to a wide range of trades people who have met our Agency’s stringent criteria.