Preparing Your Rental Property For Your Next Tenant

By nature, tenants are more likely to care for a property if it is presented in a clean, neat, and tidy manner. The preparation you put into getting your property ready for rental will also result in making it more appealing to prospective tenants.

A well-presented rental property also gives the impression that they will have a landlord or property manager who cares about the property.  Someone they are able to approach if the tenant has problems or maintenance which needs to be dealt with quickly.

Here are some tips to ensure you get the best tenants possible, as quickly as possible:

Why Landlords Should Consider Allowing Pets

We don't normally post other people's blogs but had to post this one for the photo alone!

The current economic recession has led to higher vacancy rates across the country. To cope with these extraordinary times, many landlords have turned to alternative solutions in an attempt to attract tenants. Once considered almost taboo, many landlords are beginning to allow tenants with pets to occupy their properties. Working the verbiage into a residential lease agreement to allow different types of pets has some undeniable incentives.

Moving Day: Tips on Choosing A Moving Company

Moving home is not something most of us go through on a regular basis.  Leaving your home can be a stressful, emotional and exhausting experience and the last thing you need is to be worried about is your moving company.

Choosing a good moving company is critical.  We have all heard the horrific stories of precious items lost and broken; unsavoury characters going through your belongings; unnecessary delays and problems with insurance claims.  Choosing the wrong moving company can cost you heartache, time and money.

Here are some tips to assist you in finding a moving company you trust:

Of 15000 suburbs, 21 rise to the top as worth a look for investors - SmartCompany.com.au

Of 15000 suburbs, 21 rise to the top as worth a look for investors ... more of the property industry talking heads who've assisted Australian Property Investor and Your Investment Property compile the lists. The YIP top 100 was made up of 25 suburbs in Sydney, 12 from Melbourne, seven from Perth, eight from Adelaide, ...

why is it so: Property Management - Now & Then

Spending over four decades in the property management industry, I now sit back and contemplate the time spent, what has improved as well and what has gone backward in the industry over that period.  Perhaps this is what old men do - “It was better in my days because….”

But it wasn’t!

I think the only thing better in the 20^th century was that property managers actually spoke to their landlords and tenants instead of texting or emailing them.

There is no doubt technology has made the lot of a property manager much easier and theoretically, this should make them more productive.

But it hasn’t!

Why I Didn't Pay the Rent

You think you’ve heard them all…but you haven’t. 

The excuses tenants use for not paying the rent are limited only by their levels of creativity.

I still think the best one I’ve heard was related by a property manager in Geelong who told that the tenant hadn’t paid because she didn’t have any shoes!  Apparently, she had a bit of pokies habit and as they were renting in an outer suburban area without made roads and footpaths, the husband decided to pack up all her shoes in his car when he headed off to work each day.

Then there’s the successive deaths.  I had one tenant whose grandmother had died three times and each time she had to go to Queensland for the funeral(s).

And there’s the young child who has been trained to say, “Mummy is in hospital” each time anyone rings up to query why the rent hasn’t been paid.

Pets are always a good one to evoke sympathy, particularly dead ones.

“The cheque is in the mail,” really makes you query the ability of Australia Post to deliver mail either that, or our postie has a service area Australia wide.

I’d love to hear from others who have ‘unusual’ reasons for rent not being paid and I’ll publish the best.

Post Written by Tony Warren

Vacancy Rise Eases Melbourne's Rental Market

The median rent for Melbourne fell by 
1.4 per cent to $360 in the June quarter.

With the easing rental market, it is more crucial than ever that your investment is managed by  professional, experienced property managers in order to maintain tenancy and top market rentals.

Why use True Property Management?

Our directors, Anne and Tony Warren have shared their passion and commitment to the property management industry by training property managers and consulting to real estate principals throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States.  They have also been key-note speakers at numerous real estate and property management conventions both nationally and internationally.  More about True Property Management.

 

Article: Vacancy rise eases market

Simon Johanson

MELBOURNE'S tight rental market is showing signs of easing, with vacancy rates for all metropolitan areas rising above 2 per cent for the first time in six years. An apartment boom in the city - 65 per cent of all projects launched since 2008 are under construction - has helped boost the CBD vacancy rate to 2.5 per cent.

Refund of a Rental Bond

Queensland:  The RTA provides a safe and convenient way to receive a bond refund at the end of a tenancy. There are a few simple steps to follow.

1. Complete a refund of rental bond (form 4) including the details of the bank account the refund should be paid to.
2. Post the form to the RTA.
3. Once approved by the RTA, the money is paid directly into the nominated bank account.

Refunding the bond when the tenant and the lessor/agent agree

If the tenant and the lessor/agent agree on how the bond will be refunded, a refund of rental bond form must be completed and signed by all parties then lodged with the RTA. The bond money can then be credited directly to the nominated cheque or savings account at any Bank, Building Society or Credit Union. For alternative bond refund options, contact the RTA direct on 1300 366 311.

Please note that Australia Post Offices throughout Queensland are NOT authorised to accept forms requesting direct credit refunds.