NAATI CCL Spanish Vivienda y alojamiento — Diálogos de práctica

Let me explain the rental application process. Is this your first time renting in Australia?

Sí, llegué el mes pasado y no entiendo el sistema. ¿Qué necesito?

For the application you'll need identification, proof of income such as a bank statement, and previous rental history. If you don't have rental history, a character reference will do.

No tengo historial de alquiler. ¿Es una desventaja?

You can still apply without rental history. To demonstrate reliability, you can offer a reference from your employer, additional bank statements, or an extra two to four weeks' bond on top of the standard amount.

¿Qué es el depósito? ¿Cuánto es?

The bond is usually four weeks' rent, held by a state government authority. It's returned in full when you move out if there's no damage. The landlord cannot hold it personally.

¿Qué debo verificar antes de mudarme?

Completing a condition report at move-in is crucial. Document all existing damage with photos. This directly affects your bond refund. Submit it to the agent within three business days.

¿Qué pasa si no puedo pagar el alquiler?

Contact the agent and explain the situation. You can often negotiate a payment plan. You won't be evicted immediately if you're less than fourteen days behind. Free tenancy advice is also available.

Todo entendido. Quiero agendar una visita.

This is a dispute about a bond refund. What happened?

Dejé el departamento tras dos años. El dueño quiere descontar ochocientos de los mil quinientos de depósito por limpieza de alfombra y pintura.

There's a distinction between normal wear and tear and tenant damage. Carpet wear and faded paint from two years of use are not the tenant's responsibility. This is 'fair wear and tear.'

¿Tiene el informe de condición inicial?

Yes, I have photos from both move-in and move-out. The carpet already had stains and the walls had marks when I moved in.

Excelente evidencia. Escriba al propietario explicando que es desgaste razonable y exija devolución total. Sin respuesta en catorce días puede ir al tribunal de vivienda.

How much does the tribunal cost?

La solicitud cuesta unos cincuenta. Si gana lo cobra al propietario. No necesita abogado. La audiencia es en cuatro a seis semanas.

The landlord is demanding a receipt for professional carpet cleaning. Is that required?

Revise el contrato. Si incluye limpieza profesional como condición sí. Pero en muchos estados esa cláusula es legalmente inválida. Consulte la línea de asesoría.

Can I have the number for the tenancy advice line?

Varía según el estado pero este folleto tiene los contactos. Es gratis y hay intérpretes. Primero la carta y luego el tribunal.

You've come to discuss a rent increase. How much has it gone up?

Me notificaron aumento de cuatrocientos cincuenta a quinientos cincuenta por semana. Cien de golpe es demasiado. No puedo pagar.

There are rules around rent increases. First, sixty days' written notice is required. When did you receive the notice?

Hace tres semanas. Dice que aplica desde el mes que viene.

Since the sixty-day notice period hasn't been met, the increase is invalid. Legally, you have the right to continue paying the current rent until a new, proper notice is issued.

Aunque el aviso sea correcto, ¿cien no es excesivo? ¿Puedo objetar?

Yes, you can challenge an 'excessive' increase at the tribunal. They consider area market rents, property condition, and improvements. Research comparable rents nearby and submit that as evidence.

¿Si rechazo el aumento me echan?

Issuing an eviction notice because a tenant challenges a rent increase is retaliation and it's illegal. As long as you continue paying the current rent during the tribunal process, you're protected.

Contacto asesoría y envío respuesta por escrito.

Good decision. In the letter, make clear that the notice period was insufficient and that the increase is excessive compared to the market. Keep it factual and avoid being emotional.

Gracias. Conocer mis derechos me tranquiliza.

You've come to ask about applying for public housing. Can you tell me about your current living situation?

Vivo con mis tres hijos en casa de un conocido. Dormimos en la sala. No tengo dinero para alquilar.

Your case may qualify as priority. People who are homeless or at risk receive the highest priority. To apply, you'll need proof of income, identification, and evidence of your housing situation.

¿Cuánto hay que esperar?

To be honest, the general waiting time can be several years. However, if you're in a priority category, it could be a matter of months. While you're waiting, you can receive private rent assistance.

¿Cuánto es el subsidio de alquiler?

It depends on your family size and rent, but with three children you could receive up to around two hundred dollars per fortnight. It's added to your Centrelink payment.

¿Qué es la vivienda comunitaria? ¿Es diferente de la pública?

Community housing is affordable rental housing run by not-for-profit organisations. Like public housing, the rent is based on your income. The waiting time may be shorter. I'd recommend applying for both at the same time.

¿Puedo solicitar hoy?

Yes, we can fill in the application today. If you have your ID and proof of income, we can start now. Let's also apply for emergency housing support.

Gracias. Quiero darles un hogar estable a mis hijos.

You have a complaint about noise from a neighbour. What's the problem?

El de arriba pone música fuerte todas las noches hasta la una o dos. Le pedí muchas veces que pare pero no mejora. Mis hijos no pueden dormir y afecta mi trabajo.

If direct communication hasn't worked, start keeping a noise diary. Record the date, time, type of noise, and duration. This becomes evidence for later proceedings.

¿Puedo llamar a la policía?

Noise after ten at night breaches council regulations. You can call police. Also submit a written complaint to the property manager or landlord. If it's a strata building, report to the strata manager too.

¿Y si la administración no hace nada?

You can lodge a formal noise complaint with the local council. A council officer can measure the noise levels and issue a noise abatement order. Breaching the order results in fines.

Si el ruido es insoportable y quiero mudarme, ¿puedo romper el contrato?

If the landlord can't guarantee your 'right to quiet enjoyment,' you can apply to the tribunal for early lease termination. The noise diary and complaints are crucial evidence. If approved, no break fee.

Primero el diario de ruido y luego la carta a la administración.

You can also use a smartphone app to measure and record noise levels. Audio recordings during the noisy periods are also valid evidence. Collect about two weeks' worth of records before lodging a formal complaint.

Empiezo a registrar esta noche. Gracias.

You've called about an urgent repair. Please describe the problem.

El calentador dejó de funcionar. Dos días sin agua caliente. Tengo un niño pequeño, necesito que lo arreglen ya.

A hot water system failure qualifies as an urgent repair. By law, the landlord is required to respond to urgent repairs within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Have you already contacted the property manager?

Ayer envié email pero no responden. Tampoco contestan el teléfono.

If an urgent repair isn't addressed, the tenant can arrange it themselves and deduct the cost from rent. But you must first give written notice and allow a reasonable response time. Rules vary by state.

¿Puedo llamar al técnico yo mismo?

In an emergency, yes. But first send a final written notice requesting immediate response. If they don't respond, arrange the repair yourself and keep the receipt. The cost limit is about one thousand dollars.

¿Puedo reclamar alojamiento mientras reparan?

If the property is uninhabitable, you can apply for a rent reduction. Additional costs like alternative accommodation can be claimed through the tenancy tribunal if the landlord's negligence caused the problem. Keep all your receipts.

¿Qué otras reparaciones son urgentes?

Gas leaks, flooding, electrical faults, heating failures in winter, broken locks, blocked sewage, and structural damage that poses a safety risk. All of these require a response within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

Envío la notificación ahora y si mañana no responden llamo al técnico yo mismo.

Welcome to the quarterly strata meeting. We have several items on the agenda. The first is a special levy for roof repairs.

¿Cuánto es la cuota especial? Los gastos comunes ya son bastante altos.

It's calculated based on each unit's lot entitlement and averages around three thousand dollars. It can be paid in three instalments. The roof repair is a safety issue and can't be delayed.

¿Qué pasa si no puedo pagar?

If you're having difficulty, you can apply for a payment plan. However, if non-payment continues, the strata corporation has the right to take legal action, and ultimately a lien may be registered against your property.

¿Cuál es el siguiente tema?

Installation of security cameras in common areas. There have been several reports of trespass recently. The cost comes from the regular strata fund, so no additional levy is needed.

¿Qué hay de la privacidad? No quiero cámaras apuntando a mi puerta.

Cameras will only cover common areas — entrance, car park, corridors. Not individual front doors. They comply with privacy law and footage is only accessible to the property manager.

¿Se necesita votación?

Yes, both the special levy and the camera installation require a majority vote of those present. Proxy voting is available. Owners who couldn't attend today have already submitted their proxy forms.

Voto a favor de ambas. Es una inversión necesaria para la seguridad.