Rental Property Viewing Checklist

You know where you want to live and you’ve found a few properties worthy of an inspection, but now what do you look for? It can be daunting to take the first step in finding a rental property. The key is to be organised. After all, this could be your home for quite some time.

While you know the look and feel of a home that you’re after, there are also some key points to note that will ensure those practical aspects don’t get overlooked in the rush of an open home.

Choosing the right home for you can be very personal and take a lot longer than you think. We’ve compiled a list of items to think about when you inspect your next property.

Lists

Lists keep everyone organised, right? We suggest creating two different lists when it comes to finding the right home for you. A list of “must-haves” and a list of “like-to-haves”. Providing you can tick off everything on your “must-have” list, then anything else on the other list is a bonus!

Security

You should check there is the appropriate amount of security for your needs. Are there deadlocks and window locks? Is there secure car parking? If it’s in a complex, is the building secure with resident-only access?

Storage

This may not be a deal-breaker for some. But for others, it might be. Is there enough internal and external storage space? Is there a lock-up garage or shed? Are there built in robes or extra linen cupboards? 

Amenities

Whether you end up renting at one of Rent Central’s complexes around Brisbane or a free standing house, you want to know what amenities are available to you. Does it have a pool? Does the complex have a gym?

Measure up

The fridge! Does the fridge fit? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve moved into a new home only to realise the fridge doesn’t fit there, ah! Not only the fridge, but does the bed fit giving you enough space for the bedside tables etc? Be sure to take a measuring tape with you to your next inspection.

Other factors

There are also some other factors to keep in mind. Do you need a pet friendly home? If you’re looking at an apartment, what’s the water and electricity billing situation? Is your potential new home in close proximity to the things you need like work, schools, shops etc?

If in doubt about anything, ask the property manager. Avoid making assumptions which may lead to you not being completely satisfied with your decision.

So, what are you waiting for…. Start searching your next dream home right here…. rentcentralbrisbane.com.au 

What are my responsibilities as a landlord?

You’ve taken the plunge into real estate investing and now, all of a sudden, you’re a landlord.

Being a landlord is much more than just finding a tenant and collecting rent. It’s a world full of legislation, rights and responsibilities. This is where we, as knowledgeable property managers, come into play. As part of our role to manage your investment, we’re also here to guide you through your obligations as a landlord.

Smoke Alarms

It is the law in Queensland for property owners to install smoke alarms in all domestic dwellings. As a landlord, you must also ensure the smoke alarms are tested and cleaned; as well as battery replacement within 30 days before the start or renewal of a tenancy. For a minimal fee, all Rent Central property managers are able to check and re-battery the smoke alarms on your behalf.

Bond Management

Typically, the bond amount is equivalent to four weeks rent – this is the maximum amount you can charge. Your property manager will issue the tenant with a Bond Lodgement form and once the bond has been paid, a receipt will be issued. This money is held by the Residential Tenancies Authority(RTA).

Repairs

As the landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure the property is fit to live in. And the tenant is responsible for keeping the property clean and undamaged – or in the same condition it was when they moved in.

If any repairs or maintenance needs attention, ideally the tenant would notify the property manager and then repairs would be carried out. This is generally paid for by the owner. In the event that a tenant damages the property, there are circumstances where they are required to pay for repairs. For example: when moving in, they accidentally put a hole in the wall with their fridge – the tenant would need to pay for the repair to the wall.

Inspections

Routine inspections can be carried out once every three months. Your Rent Central property manager will email through an entry condition report once the inspections have been carried out. In order for the landlord or property manager to inspect the premises, seven days’ notice is required. This does not include repairs or maintenance to the property; 24 hours’ notice is required for this type of entry.

Rent

Rent can be paid in numerous forms including: cash, cheque, credit card, EFTPOS, or any other way agreed by you and the tenant. Rent can be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

For rent to be increased, it needs to be at least six months since the last increase. Rent cannot be increased during a fixed term unless stated in the tenancy agreement.

  

In a nut shell, you must:

·         Ensure your property is vacant, clean and in good repair at the start of the tenancy.

·         Ensure the smoke alarms are tested often and always working.

·         Comply with all health and safety laws

·         Provide reasonable security with locks in good working order and supply keys for each lock

·         Pay all charges, levies, premiums, rates and taxes for the property and cover the costs of preparing     the tenancy agreement

·         Lodge all bond money with the RTA

·         Not increase the rent within six months of the last rental increase.

If at any time you are unsure about your responsibilities as a landlord, our very clever property managers at Rent Central are always there to help!

Information in this blog has been derived from the Residential Tenancies Authority Managing General Tenancies in Queensland booklet.

Moving out for the first time

So you start university in a few months. But mum and dad’s house is a 6 hour drive to uni. Now what? There’s only one realistic choice here... and that’s to move closer to school!

First things first – Can you afford to move out? 
The Government’s Money Smart website is a good starting point to work out whether or not you can afford to move out; if not, what your options are. 

Once you’ve worked out your budget, then you need to explore where to live and its proximity to school. Currently, Rent Central has three properties that are within walking distance to some form of higher education institute. Rent Central Waters Edge and Rent Central Canvas are based within a few kilometres to the South Bank Tafe. Rent Central Urban Edge is within a stone’s throw to Queensland University of Technology at Kelvin Grove. For other helpful tips on home hunting, check out our other blog here.

Now it’s time to move out... have you got a checklist? 

If not, then one of Rent Central’s preferred partners, Direct Connect, can help. View their moving out checklist here. Or better still, they offer a free, no-obligation service offering a range of options to help you move homes. After all, you have study and socialisation to focus on – not your electricity provider, or your contents insurance.  

The Money Smart website recommends these tips on how to move out.

• Try to save 10% of your pay for emergencies like not being able to work for a week, unexpected bills or extra travel costs. You never know when you the extra 10% of cash you stash may come in handy! 
• Before moving out, put aside some cash to buy groceries and stock up your food.
• In shared households, try not to have your name on all the bills. If the bill is addressed only to you, even if you are sharing the costs, you are legally responsible.

Visit www.rentcentralbrisbane.com.au to start searching.

Dear Property Management, This is your life. Yours truly, Stock Photos

I read an article from realestate.com.au the other day about what the industry looks like, according to stock photos. They depicted “real estate”, so I thought I’d do “property management”. 
If you came down in the last shower (which, if you live in Brisbane, was just the other day), and someone asked you what “property management” was... well, you’d search Google to know what they were talking about, right?
This is what you’d learn....
Houses are made out of American money, and they are small enough to fit in the palm of your hands. 

I could seriously list another 43,765 shots of houses in hands – but I’m sure you’re picking up what I’m putting down here (pardon the pun). 

You would also learn that houses live inside fish bowls. And they are, in fact, very petite. Perception at its best.

Yes, that’s right, your house is light enough for two people to pick up and carry away.  

You’d be thinking by now, you were pretty educated on what property management actually means. It means really small houses made out of money, light enough for two people to pick up and carry away. It also means red houses with about 8mm distance between you and your neighbour. 

Oh, and these professional looking people – who I’m assuming are the people who are selling the houses – are all surprisingly attractive. Like, ALL of them.  

And finally, once you’ve moved into your new really small, paper money house, you will start to unpack your belongings. It just so happens that every box you use is perfectly shaped without any removal blemishes (must’ve had a good removalist). And then, after a long day unpacking, you and your friend will draw smiley faces on the boxes and wear them on your heads. Because that’s just what you’d do, right?

I think the best photo of them all, and that really depicts “property management” at Rent Central... Is this:

That is, a professional looking manager who serves your gleaming investment (home) on a platter. Ah huh – you like that?!  Corny I know, but I couldn’t resist... after all, that’s what came up in the search.

So, what does property management look like to you? We’d love to see what your “property management” is.