GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES ON ADMINISTERING COMPLAINTS ABOUT ADVERTISERS THROUGH GRIFFITH ACCOMMODATION OPERATED BY CAMPUS LIFE (“CLF”) AND DECISIONS TO REMOVE ADVERTISEMENTS .
Introduction
The following paragraphs set out the procedures to be followed when receiving complaints from students about Privately advertised properties,displayed on the University Website
The general principles are that:
§ contemporaneous written records should be kept of all complaints received from students or agents;
§ a decision should not be made as to whether to continue placing students until the family has been notified that a decision is being considered and is given details of the nature of the complaints and an opportunity to provide submissions in response to the complaints;
§ the owner of the property should be advised as soon as possible after receiving the complaint/s that CLF is considering whether or not to refuse to continue to place students or move a student and should be advised as soon as possible of the decision once the decision has been made.
Procedures
1. If a complaint is received from a student concerning a Private Advertiser the person who receives the complaint must:
1.1 At the time of receiving the complaint, make a written file note of the details of the complaint, the date of the complaint and the name of the student complaining;
1.2 Ask the student whether they have any objection to the complaint being notified to the landlord or property owner and keep a written note of the student's response to that question. If the student advises that they do not want the complaint notified to the family the student should be advised that their confidentiality will be respected;
1.3 Request that the student put the complaint in writing and, if they have no objection to the complaint being notified to the owner, confirm that in writing also;
2. Within 24 hours of the complaint being received CLF must consider the complaint and decide whether the complaint is sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision
3. If CLF decides that a complaint is not sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision to CLF need not take any further action at that stage other than keeping the record of the complaint on file.
4. If CLF decides that a complaint (either alone or in conjunction with previous complaints) is sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision as to whether to refuse to advertise the owner's property/ies CLF:
(a) may undertake further enquiries itself in relation to the complaint/s for example, following up the students who have complained (where practicable) for further details of the complaint, including the outcome of any referral of the complaint to the Residential Tenancy Authority or Small Claims Tribunal;
(b) must, after obtaining sign off on the notice from the Legal Services Unit, provide the owner of the property with written notice stating:
(i) that CLF is considering making a decision not to continue advertising/not to re-advertise the owner's property;
(ii) that CLF has received complaints from a student(s) concerning rental of the property and provide details of each complaint received from students who have advised that they have no objections to notifying the owner of the complaint;
(iii) any other reason for which CLF is considering a decision not to continue to advertise/re-advertise the property including a negative finding from the Retail Tenancy Authority;
(iv) that the owner should provide any response it wishes to make to the notice in writing and within the date specified in the notice. The date specified in the notice is to be calculated as the date which is 16 days after the date of posting the notice to the owner;
(v) that CLF will make a decision in relation to advertising the property/ies after the end of the period specified in the notice.
(c) must refer the notice referred to in paragraph 7(b) above to the Legal Services Unit for sign off before sending the notice to the owner of the property. CLF must advise the Legal Services Unit of any issues raised by the student as to treating the complaint on a confidential basis so that the Legal Services Unit can ensure that the notice is appropriately framed to maintain confidentiality in those circumstances.
5. CLF must make a decision as to whether to continue to advertise or re-advertise the owner's property/ies within 14 days of receiving the owner's response, or if no response is received, within 7 days of the expiry of the period specified in the notice as the time within which the owner was to provide their response.
6. CLF must notify the owner in writing of its decision with 7 days after making the decision. There is no requirement to give reasons for the decision.
7. If a request for reasons for the decision is made by the owner refer the matter to the Legal Services Unit.
Visit the Residential Tenancy Authority website
All tenants and lessors/agents must comply with the law .It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities from the start of the tenancy
Share houses consist of two or more tenants sharing the costs associated with renting a property. More information about the rights and responsibilities of each person in share houses is outlined by the Queensland Rental Tenancy Authority. Boarding houses and hostels consist of four or more renters sharing a dorm-style room or having their own rooms but sharing a communal bathroom, kitchen, laundry and lounge room. Some boarding houses provide meals, however, places with meals tend to cost more. This type of accommodation is a good way to meet other students. Problems associated with this type of accommodation are privacy, noise and sharing facilities. Homestay is a popular accommodation option for international students, providing excellent support when first arriving in Australia. Homestay involves living with a local family and learning about the Australian way of life. Students have their own furnished room and are provided with meals. Washing, ironing, telephone and transport costs are the students responsibility. For more information please contact Griffith Homestay directly.
Boarding houses and hostels consist of four or more renters sharing a dorm-style room or having their own rooms but sharing a communal bathroom, kitchen, laundry and lounge room. Some boarding houses provide meals, however, places with meals tend to cost more. This type of accommodation is a good way to meet other students. Problems associated with this type of accommodation are privacy, noise and sharing facilities.
Homestay is a popular accommodation option for international students, providing excellent support when first arriving in Australia. Homestay involves living with a local family and learning about the Australian way of life. Students have their own furnished room and are provided with meals. Washing, ironing, telephone and transport costs are the students responsibility. For more information please contact Griffith Homestay directly.
This is a useful checklist that will assist you when looking for Rental Accommodation .
Comments:
When you have found the accommodation you want to rent, the landlord/real estate agent will have you sign a tenancy agreement. This agreement will outline the length of your tenancy and your rights and responsibilities. When applying for accommodation it is important to be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant as outlined by the Residential Tenancy Authority. It is important to read documents carefully and to understand the terms and conditions involved when signing a tenancy agreement or lease.
Contact the Residential Tenancy Authority, check the website for important information about ending your tenancy and applying for your refund of the bond.
Return of Bonds: http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/
As of 1 October, International Money Transfers (IMTs) will be processed fortnightly. Look out for bond refund posters which will be sent in the mail and can be put up on notice boards. The quickest and easiest way to receive a bond refund is through direct deposit into an Australian bank account. Direct deposit refunds are safe and secure, and take less than a week to process.
Students are encouraged to keep their Australian bank account open until they have received their bond refund from the RTA.
If a student does not have an Australian bank account there are two other options:
To help you settle into your new home, below are a few resources that you might find helpful.
If you have questions or disputes in regards to your tenancy, organizations such as the Residential Tenancy Authority andQueensland Department of Housing may be able to help.
To rent furniture for you stay Abel furniture rentals has packages starting from $55 a week and Rentals to go also have packages available.
Energex electricity and gas company.
Mobile or landline phones can be setup by either Optus or Telstra.
Centrelink is helpful for financial assistance and Legal aid can help in providing legal information.
For support and information about studying in Brisbane and studying and living in Queensland.
Personal safety is your responsibility and Think Before offers advice on how to protect yourself. Queensland Police also offer support and advice on safety issues.
More information can be found at Cost of Studying in Australia
| Expense | AU$ |
| Rent | $180 |
| Transport | $60 |
| Mobile/cell and Internet | $20 |
| Food | $150 |
| Electricity | $40 |
| Other (eg. Entertainment, photocopying, stationery) | $25 |
| TOTAL | $475 |
Guidelines/Procedures on administering complaints about advertisers through Griffith Accommodation operated by Campus Life and decisions to remove advertisements.
Introduction
The following paragraphs set out the procedures to be followed when receiving complaints from students about Privately advertised properties,displayed on the University Website
The general principles are that:
Procedures
1. If a complaint is received from a student concerning a Private Advertiser the person who receives the complaint must:
1.1 At the time of receiving the complaint, make a written file note of the details of the complaint, the date of the complaint and the name of the student complaining;
1.2 Ask the student whether they have any objection to the complaint being notified to the landlord or property owner and keep a written note of the student's response to that question. If the student advises that they do not want the complaint notified to the family the student should be advised that their confidentiality will be respected;
1.3 Request that the student put the complaint in writing and, if they have no objection to the complaint being notified to the owner, confirm that in writing also;
2. Within 24 hours of the complaint being received CLF must consider the complaint and decide whether the complaint is sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision
3. If CLF decides that a complaint is not sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision to CLF need not take any further action at that stage other than keeping the record of the complaint on file.
4. If CLF decides that a complaint (either alone or in conjunction with previous complaints) is sufficiently serious to warrant consideration of a decision as to whether to refuse to advertise the owner's property/ies CLF:
(a) may undertake further enquiries itself in relation to the complaint/s for example, following up the students who have complained (where practicable) for further details of the complaint, including the outcome of any referral of the complaint to the Residential Tenancy Authority or Small Claims Tribunal;
(b) must, after obtaining sign off on the notice from the Legal Services Unit, provide the owner of the property with written notice stating:
(i) that CLF is considering making a decision not to continue advertising/not to re-advertise the owner's property;
(ii) that CLF has received complaints from a student(s) concerning rental of the property and provide details of each complaint received from students who have advised that they have no objections to notifying the owner of the complaint;
(iii) any other reason for which CLF is considering a decision not to continue to advertise/re-advertise the property including a negative finding from the Retail Tenancy Authority;
(iv) that the owner should provide any response it wishes to make to the notice in writing and within the date specified in the notice. The date specified in the notice is to be calculated as the date which is 16 days after the date of posting the notice to the owner;
(v) that CLF will make a decision in relation to advertising the property/ies after the end of the period specified in the notice.
(c) must refer the notice referred to in paragraph 7(b) above to the Legal Services Unit for sign off before sending the notice to the owner of the property. CLF must advise the Legal Services Unit of any issues raised by the student as to treating the complaint on a confidential basis so that the Legal Services Unit can ensure that the notice is appropriately framed to maintain confidentiality in those circumstances.
5. CLF must make a decision as to whether to continue to advertise or re-advertise the owner's property/ies within 14 days of receiving the owner's response, or if no response is received, within 7 days of the expiry of the period specified in the notice as the time within which the owner was to provide their response.
6. CLF must notify the owner in writing of its decision with 7 days after making the decision. There is no requirement to give reasons for the decision.
7. If a request for reasons for the decision is made by the owner refer the matter to the Legal Services Unit.
Accommodation for four or more students in room style accommodation
All tenants and lessors/agents must comply with the law .It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities from the start of the tenancy
As a landlord, you are responsible for installing smoke alarms in your property.
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service provides detailed information on smoke alarm legislation.
To resolve serious problems during a tenancy, you can:
A residential service is either a private boarding house, supported accommodation hostel or aged rental accommodation.
Residential services are accommodation types where:
A residential service may also provide a food service and/or a personal care service. Please note that a residential service can be a self-contained unit complex where a food service is provided to the residents.
As a residential service provider, you need to:
Services exempt from being a residential service include:
For more information on residential services, you can:
For further information regarding rooming accommodation agreements, contact theResidential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311.
If you wish to advertise 5 or more rooms then you must comply with the Brisbane City Council regulations .More information can be found at the following website.
Advertisers wishing to place an advertisement on the Griffith Website must provide evidence of their certificate and registration for renting accommodation in Queensland .
Yes from 1st July 2015 a minimal fee of $30 was introduced for payment for up to 3 individual advertisements for 1 month.