Landlords - Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Landlord protection insurance?
• What happens when a tenant is behind in his rental payment?
• Are rental inspections necessary?
• Confirmation you have found the right tenant?
• What is a property condition report?
• Why is it necessary for a property condition report?
• What is a routine inspection?

What is Landlord protection insurance?

It is strongly recommended that you as the landlord take out landlord's protection insurance. This policy will cover you for such items as loss of rent or malicious damage. Many different companies can arrange such insurance so it is wise to shop around. There is also new legislation coming into place with regard to workers compensation insurance.
What rights does the tenant have?
How much notice must I give a tenant before I ask him to move out?

What happens when a tenant is behind in his rental payment?

It should be reiterated to all tenants that a zero tolerance policy is standard with regard to rental arrears. If a tenant does fall behind with their rental payments they will receive a phone call or SMS requesting that they rectify the difference immediately. They are issued with a notice of breach advising them that they are behind in their rental payments. If payment is not forthcoming within the stipulated time, then a second notice of breach is issued requiring that they vacate the property. If the first notice is not rectified, we will notify you the landlord seeking further instruction.

Are rental inspections necessary?

Inspections are necessary to ensure the tenant is looking after the property as outlined in the signed lease agreement. If a tenant is not looking after the property satisfactorily then a breach may need to be issued outlining what needs to be rectified. As a landlord you should be notified about the breach and the time frame set for the tenant to rectify the problem. If the problem is not fixed, the tenant will be asked to vacate the property along with a termination notice. Inspections encourage the tenant to maintain an acceptable standard of cleanliness and presentation. Maintenance issues can also be discussed during the inspection.

Confirmation you have found the right tenant?

Potential tenants are traced through the national tenancy database; a tenant that has defaulted in the past through a real estate agency that subscribes to the tenancy database will have these instances recorded. These databases should help reduce the chances of getting a tenant with a bad track record. All references along with previous rental managers / landlords are researched as standard protocol.

What is a property condition report?

This is a report compiled at the start of a tenancy prior to the tenant moving in. The report outlines the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy and is used as a reference to ensure the property is left in the same condition.
At the completion of the lease agreement the property condition reports are compared to the condition of the property once the tenant has returned the keys. From this point the property is assessed and should be in similar condition as when the tenant moved in.
It is at this point any items that need to be rectified are by the tenant in order to meet previous property condition reports.

Why is it necessary for a property condition report?

A thorough check room by room, collaborating a record of marks, scratches, holes state of carpets fixtures and fittings is very necessary to give an accurate assessment of the overall condition of the premises. It is important that both tenant and landlord agree on the condition. A property condition report can take many hours to correctly asses. At the end of the tenancy, after the bond is completed, the property condition report is updated. The report is used to cross reference the condition of the property upon the tenant vacating. Without such these reports and stringent processes it would be very difficult to claim any damages or neglect.

What is a routine inspection?

These inspections are essential to ensure that your property is being maintained to an acceptable standard to identify any maintenance that maybe required. A copy of the inspection report should be forwarded to you after each inspection and you should also receive a telephone call to discuss the outcome.