MOVING OUT OF HOME

So moving out is scary. There are so many things to think about. We all like to think that we will start living somewhere like this:-

 

 

Now naturally this is supremely cool and sorry boys, she does not come with the apartment.

The reality is that you will more likely end up somewhere like this:-

 

Oh and your flatmates will probably look like this:

So your first questions will probably be:

1. How do I get into this type of accommodation?

2. How much will it cost me?

3. What happens if I have a problem?

MOVING ON OUT AND UP IS DESIGNED TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT LIVING AWAY FROM HOME AND DIRECT YOU TO PLACES WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE ANSWERS TO THE REST.  

IF YOU GO TO WORK FOR A REAL ESTATE OFFICE OR A LAWYER IT WILL HELP YOU IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT AND KNOW HOW TO USE THESE FORMS AND WHAT THEY MEAN. 
NOT ONLY WILL YOU HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THIS SITE ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC FORMS BUT THIS WILL HELP YOU DEVELOP CONFIDENCE TO ATTACK OTHER FORMS IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE THEM.

We will improve your general literacy and numeracy in respect of normal real world problems that will come up if you move out of home or work in the legal or property management industry after completion of your schooling. So what is literacy and numeracy and how does it relate to you?

Literacy is made up of all the knowledge and skills that students needs to access, understand, analyse and evaluate information (ACARA, 2013a, p1).

Numeracy is where you have developed the skills to use mathematics with confidence regardless of whether they are inside or out of the school environment (ACARA, 2013b).

Being Literate and Numerate enough to understand the documents that you might need to complete and to make informed decisions on the risks involved in entering into those agreements or signing those documents. Literacy and Numeracy would assist in developing the confidence to deal with these documents which  would be of assistance if you go into the legal or real estate management fields.

The aim of this Blog is to assist you to develop the skills to be Literate and Numerate in respect of moving out of home whether those skills involve how to access government assistance or more specific skills in finding a place to live, future employment and knowing the costs financially of those decisions.
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GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN

SO WHAT IS A LEASE

S0 YOU THINK YOU HAVE FOUND THE PERFECT PLACE - WHAT NEXT?

You have some money and have put in your application. First we will look at how you Start a Tenancy and then give you some tips and hints to reduce the chance of you getting screwed over go to the pages on Reading a Lease, Entry Condition report, Bond, Maintenance of a Property and Change in Housemates. 

STARTING A TENANCY

The Residential Tenancy Authority  governs laws that relate to tenancies in Queensland. There are factsheets on the RTA website that detail the process of starting a tenancy. There is also information relating to Bonds and Security Deposits and Entry Condition Reports. 

Entry Condition Reports can save you heaps of money in the end if you use them correctly. Make sure that you read the fact sheet and never sign a lease on a property that you have not inspected. 

Many of you will move out as students and should read the Fact sheets relating to starting a tenancy as a student.

There are examples of a General Tenancy Agreement on the Residential Tenancies Website, take one of your Applications for a Lease from earlier and see if you can complete all or part of the lease:

SO HOW DO I READ A LEASE AGREEMENT?


The Agent has now given you a copy of the proposed agreement. They will have filled out their part of it relating to the Landlord, the property and themselves. The agreement is generally not binding until you sign up. Go to my Page on Reading a Lease for further information on how to read a Lease Agreement.

TIPS & HINTS

 

 

GENERAL RULES FOR TENANCIES

As a Tenant you need to realise that there are also remedies available to a Lessor in the event that a Tenant does not adhere to their responsibilities during the course of a tenancy. Likewise if the Lessor does not adhere to their responsibilities during the course of a tenancy you as the Tenant will have certain rights available to you. These rights an responsibilities are detailed below:

General renting rules for tenants are as follows:

• Pay rent on time
• Keep the place clean, tidy and undamaged
• Keep to the terms of your tenancy agreement
• Respect your neighbours right to peace and quiet

General renting rules for lessors or managers are as follows:

• Respect tenants’ privacy and comply with entry requirements
• Carry out repairs and maintenance
• Meet all health and safety laws
• Lodge bond with the RTA

 If either party does not adhere to their respective Rights and Responsibilities and a Serious Problem arises during a tenancy then the other party can take action to try and solve the problem this can being requesting a breach be rectified (Notice to Remedy Breach) or by further action in respect of a Dispute. For further information.

 BONDS

• What happens to my Bond at the beginning of the Lease?
• Does the Lessor have to give it back?
• What do I do if the Lessor won't give me back by Bond or only gives back part of it?

Answer each of these questions in the Comments section below and then go to my Bond page for more information and see if you were correct. 

ENTRY CONDITION REPORT

• I signed a lease without inspecting it. 
• The Agent has now said that the repairs to the hole in the bathroom wall are my responsibility - but why it was there when I moved in?

See if you can answer these questions in the Comments section below and then go to my Entry Condition Report page for more information and see if you were correct.

CHANGE IN HOUSEMATES

• You work out your housemate is abit crazy or they decide to move out - what do you do if they are on the lease?

See if you can answer this questions in the Comments section below and then go to my Change in Housemates page for more information and see if you were correct.

MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY AND REPAIRS

• What happens if there is a problems that needs repair? 
• Who do I call if the sink in the Bathroom springs a link?
• The stove has suddenly stopped working what do I do?

These are all valid questions some of which can be answered by having a look at the General Tenancy Agreement itself or by contacting the Agent. See if you can answer each of these questions in the Comments section below and then go to my Property Maintenance and Repairs page for more information and see if you were correct. If you have further problems go to Maintenance and Repairs  on the RTA website for further information.

SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN A TENANCY

• My boyfriend hit me, I am scared but have no where else to go, what can I do?
• This flatmate is a crazy, how do we get her out?
• A Cyclone has just hit and the house is gone what do I do now?

If you find that there are serious problems in a Tenancy like someone becoming violent, repairs not being made making the property unlivable or a natural disaster  there are things you can do. Always remember that you do not need to put up with Domestic Violence. For further information please contact the Domestic Violence Service near you (they are in the phone book). 

In the Event of a Natural Disaster you need to realise that the lease will not necessarily end and you should make yourself familiar with your rights in this type of circumstances by accessing the information available at Natural Disasters on the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) website. 

You will also find information for what to do in respect of Domestic Violence and when it is necessary for a tenant to be removed from premises. 

CAN I AFFORD IT

One of the immediate questions about whether you can move out will end up being how much does it cost.

But to work out how much it costs you will need to work out how much you can actually afford.

Students that are studying are sometimes entitled to assistance from the Australian Government to help them gain an education. 

Here are Just Some of the entitlements/assistance available for students:

You may be eligible for other assistance depending upon your individual circumstances.  

 Go to the Centrelink Website for more information.

Rental Costs

Costs for a rental property is usually fairly easy to work out:

Here is a typical advertisement for a rental property from http:www.realestate.com.au 

If you are interested in this you would click for more details and get this:

So I guess you wonder what does this all mean:

• Basically this unit would cost you $350.00 per week to rent but before you move in you have to give the agent a Bond of $1,400.00 (4 weeks rent). 
• Rent is usually payable in advance. 
• A bond basically means that if you stuff up, damage the premises, leave a mess or leave and don't pay the rent the agent/property owner has something to fall back on.

If you are living in the property with another person you might ask that they front up for some of the rent and Bond. 

Therefore to move into this property you would need:

4 weeks rent ($1400.00) + 2 weeks rent (in advance - this week and next week) ($700.00)

You will need $2,100.00 up front to rent this property.

AHH YOU SAY WHERE CAN I GET THAT MUCH MONEY!!

 Well if you are renting this property with say another person then your share would only be 50% or half ($1,050.00) and you would only need to find $175.00 a week for the rent.

BET THAT SOUNDS BETTER?

FEAR NOT there is additional assistance available from most State Governments such as Bond Loans from the QLD DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING check out what is available to you. You might also be eligible for rent assistance and other forms of government assistance on the QLD GOVERNMENT RENT ASSISTANCE page.

BUT remember that you will have other costs like electricity, phone and excess water that you will be responsible for. 

Now Go to the Rental Example 1, Rental Example 2 and Rental Example 3 and complete 

1. An Application form for each one;
2. How much money you will need for the Bond;
3. How many Flatmates/Housemates you can have;
4. How much would be your share of the Bond/Rent.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY + LEGAL STUDIES?

YOU MIGHT THINK BUT WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME? 

I CAN READ.

 I CAN WRITE.

 

 I CAN ADD AND SUBTRACT

 I CAN DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS WELL.

 

Literacy is all of those things and much more. 

In Legal Studies, you learn to "know and understand the law" by being able to describe, explain and communicate legal facts, concepts and processes (Queensland Studies Authority (QSA), 2013).  This ability to understand, evaluate and respond is at the heart of Literacy. 

Given that many of you will move out of home in the future it is important to help you know and understand the forms and documents  to maximize your chances of success. Some of you may enter the workforce with a law firm or a real estate agency. Knowing and understanding these forms will help you with the development of the skills required for these types of employment. 

Knowing the requirements for the applications for a tenancy would assist is deciding who is appropriate to be accepted to rent a property. This will help you to be good at and keep your job. Understanding these forms would assist not only in knowing what to do where tenants do not act appropriately but also in deciding what action to take as a consequence of that behaviour.

You will also learn the skills to recognise the monetary implications that are involved in entering into these agreements and how to apply mathematical concepts outside the school environment (ACARA, 2013b). This is financial literacy at work.

WHY IS LITERACY AND NUMERACY IMPORTANT

Click on this PREZI  for more information about Literacy and Numeracy