Q: What do I need to buy before I can move in?

Bedding, kitchenware – available from Your Shop.

Question 1

How do I reserve a room at UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia?

Accepted Answer

Complete the online application.

Question 2

What kind of contracts does UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia offer?

Accepted Answer

12 months

Question 3

What does my rent include?

Accepted Answer

Electricity, water, gas, internet, Community Spirit Program membership.

Question 4

Do you have car parking facilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do – from $25 for residents and from $30 for non-residents per week on 12 month lease, subject to availability.

Question 5

Why is the rent not 4 times the weekly rental amount?

Accepted Answer

Yes – it is

Question 6

When do I pay my rent?

Accepted Answer

Every 4 weeks

Question 7

How does my mail get to me?

Accepted Answer

Via your letterbox located at the front of the building.

Question 8

What do I need to buy before I can move in?

Accepted Answer

Bedding, kitchenware &ndash; available from Your Shop.

Question 9

How close is the nearest supermarket?

Accepted Answer

800m

Question 10

If I really want to move rooms after I move in – is that possible?

Accepted Answer

Upon availability – break lease fees will apply.

Question 11

Can I move out at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, however break lease fees will apply and you will be required to continue paying your rent until a new tenant is found.

Question 12

Is there extra storage outside my apartment?

Accepted Answer

No there is not.  If you have items that you wish to store you will need to contact the local storage service provider.

Question 13

How do I connect the internet/phone?

Accepted Answer

Your internet and phone will be ready to connect when you move in.  Cable will be provided and the connection can be easily set by assigning a username and password.

Question 14

Is wireless internet available?

Accepted Answer

No there is not.

Question 15

What is a Bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond (also known as a ‘security deposit’) is an amount of money that you need to pay that can be used by the apartment owner if you do not meet the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement. Examples of this include If you fail to keep the property clean, cause damage or are in rent arrears, the owner of the property may claim some or all of the bond only when the tenancy ends.  The majority of bonds are refunded in full as most UniLodgers vacate with no issues.

Question 16

How much is the Bond?

Accepted Answer

If your rent is $700 a week or less on a General Tenancy Agreement (or $500 a week on a Rooming Accommodation Agreement), the bond cannot be more than 4 week’s rent. The Owner cannot increase the bond during your tenancy. If you are paying over these amounts then the Apartment owner may request a higher Bond amount. The amount you will need to pay for your bond is listed on the prices page and will be confirmed again with you prior to your arrival.

Question 17

Paying the Bond?

Accepted Answer

All rental bonds for properties in Queensland are lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) a state government body. Payment must be made payable to the RTA (not UniLodge). We ask that you provide us with a bank cheque (a bank cheque is a cheque issued by the bank under their name; you can purchase one of these from any Australian Bank). Alternatively, a money order (Available from Australia post) is acceptable. Remember the cheque/Money Order must be made payable to the &lsquo;Residential Tenancies Authority&rsquo;. Bring the bond cheque/money order with you when you are collecting your keys, At this meeting, you will complete and sign the official &ldquo;Bond Lodgement Form&rdquo;. We will forward this to the RTA and then the RTA will send a receipt to you direct. Contact the RTA on 1300 366 311 if you have not received a receipt 15 business days after paying your bond. We understand that it may not always be possible to arrange for either a bank cheque or money order prior to arrival and in these instances we recommend you take advantage of the RTA&rsquo;s online bond lodgement option and bring a copy of this with you when you arrive.

Question 18

What is a Condition Report?

Accepted Answer

When you pay a bond, we must prepare a &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo;, which records the property&rsquo;s general condition, including fittings and fixtures, and present you with 2 paper copies of this Report when you come to collect your keys. Review and, if necessary, add your comments to the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo;. You must return the report to UniLodge within three business days of moving in and you should keep a copy of the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; until the end of the tenancy.

The &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; is a very important document, as it can be used as evidence if there is a dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items, particularly at the end of a tenancy.

You may want to take photos of your apartment at the start of your tenancy to further show the condition. The owner may claim some or the entire bond for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items at the end of your tenancy. If the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; stated that the work was required at the start of the tenancy, or the items were not listed, it can help you prove the bond should be returned to you.

Question 19

I am vacating, can I use the Bond for my last months rent?

Accepted Answer

Your bond and rent are separate payments. You are required to pay rent in the specified way up to and including the date of your departure.

Question 20

What happens when I vacate?

Accepted Answer

You need to leave your apartment clean and tidy in the same condition as when you arrived, and ensure all personal items have been removed, report any damage that may have been caused during your tenancy. This allows for a speedy bond resolution.

Question 21

How do I receive my Bond back?

Accepted Answer

At the end of the tenancy we will provide you a &ldquo;Bond Claim&rdquo; form for completion (or you can download your own copy from the RTA website), Please ensure you sign the form with the same signature as you used on the &ldquo;Bond Lodgement&rdquo; form at the start of your tenancy. The RTA will match signatures and will only process your claim if they match. We will lodge the bond claim form once we have the owner and your signed agreement, it then takes another 2-3 business days for the RTA to process, it repays the bond directly into the nominated Australian bank account on the form, If you have not provided valid bank account details, but have provided a forwarding address, the RTA will send a cheque. If the RTA is unable to do either of the above they will retain your money, you will need to contact them via phone on 1300 366 311 to organise for your refund to be released to you.

Question 22

Why are you claiming my Bond?

Accepted Answer

The Owner is entitled to compensation if you have failed any terms or conditions in your tenancy agreement or breached the Residential Tenancies Act (Queensland State Government Law covering rental issues). Please note that the owner cannot claim for wear and tear of items or fittings in the apartment. At UniLodge the vast majority of these sorts of issues are resolved by agreement between the owner and the tenant. If there is no agreement then the Owner may decide to ask the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to hold a hearing to finally decide on the issue. Please note if the matter goes to QCAT then the resolution of the bond will exceed the timeframe mentioned above as we must wait for a hearing date from QCAT.

Question 23

What do I do if I, or my family need somewhere to stay prior to checking into UniLodge?

Accepted Answer

If you or your family need somewhere to stay for a couple of nights to a week, or rest your head after coming in from a late-night flight then why not book at Essence Suites Taringa. Offering fully furnished suites that give you the freedom to relax in a place away from home.