Are tenants responsible for pest control?
Who is responsible for getting rid of pests in a rental property? This can be a common area of complaint from both landlords and tenants.
This is understandable because the guidelines for ‘who is responsible for getting rid of pests within a rental property’ is not so black and white. It depends on certain details in a scenario … Read the full post »
Securing strong rental yields from rental income should be the strategy of many property investors. Strengthening this further does not always have to wait until market conditions improve. Here are a few tips to consider:
Adding security
Ensuring that doors and windows have good key locks, and even adding a security alarm provides peace of mind and sense of wellbeing and safety. Tenants can also receive a discount on their tenant contents … Read the full post »
Need to landscape your investment property on a budget?
Recycled paving – buying products such as pavers or bricks from Marketplace and Gumtree is a great way to save some money on materials, otherwise you can find pavers in good condition from people simply changing their existing pavers. Just 10m2 is enough for an outdoor setting. Ideally a shade sail over the paved area will make the space … Read the full post »
Budget for success with your investment property
Budgeting does not solely apply to balancing the books of a company or a household budget, it is also essential to the successful financial planning when owning an investment property.
Intelligent property investors are very mindful they should prepare a budget to cover all contingencies throughout the lifetime of owning their investment property.
It is vital that careful … Read the full post »
While property managers make it clear to tenants that they must clean their leased property to a high standard before they vacate, condition reports do allow for inevitable wear and tear on a rental property after long leases and multiple tenants.
A property can appear to be scrupulously clean at first glance, but the natural ageing of high-use areas such as hallways, lounge … Read the full post »
Selling a tenanted property brings with it all kinds of obstacles, some foreseen and others can be slightly challenging. If your preference is to have the property vacant, you have flexible access for inspections and you don’t need to consider the tidiness of the property. On the downside, you are not receiving rental income during the marketing and sales campaign.
By allowing tenants to remain in the home, you improve the … Read the full post »
Tenants moving out and it’s time to re-lease?
Here are eight top tips to ensure your property is as well-presented as possible.
– Street appeal is of paramount importance. You should ensure that your windows, doors and gutters are clean and that your pathway is clear. External paintwork should be touched up and endeavor to keep your garden looking healthy and well maintained.
– Repair … Read the full post »
What the term “fair wear & tear” means when it comes to making allowances for tenants
Some landlords question us when we tell them that we are required by law to make an allowance for fair wear and tear in their property. Unlike what you may think, this is by no means an excuse to let tenants get away with damaging your property.
The fact is, the older a property becomes and … Read the full post »
Roof Maintenance
From all reports, its going to be a wet summer. In processing many landlord storm damaged ceilings claims, flooring etc due to water leaks over the years, the majority of claims were not fully covered as the roofs had not been maintained. This included gutter and downpipe cleaning.
A well-maintained roof is essential for the security and safety of those living in your investment. A solid roof will keep your … Read the full post »
According to a recent report, the number of Australian renters will rise
A new report produced by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology, Australian home ownership: past reflections, future directions, looks at the levels of homeownership in Australia since World War II and what we can expect in the future.
Owning a property, for many Australians, is still one of the key things they want to accomplish in their life. It’s still … Read the full post »
New Smoke Alarm Obligations for Landlords
Landlords need to ensure that smoke alarms installed in their investment properties are in working order, correct location and the correct number for the size of the house. A penalty will apply for landlords who fail to comply by NSW Fair Trading.
At the beginning of every new tenancy and every year the landlord must:
• Ensure smoke alarms … Read the full post »
Tenancy Water Usage Charges
To charge a tenant for water usage in NSW your property must have the following water efficiency measures:-
• all internal cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sinks or bathroom hand basins must flow maximum flow rate of 9 litres a minute
• all showerheads must have a maximum flow rate of 9 litres a minute
• at the … Read the full post »