DOCUMENTATION – WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO START A TENANCY?

DOCUMENTATION – WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO START A TENANCY?

Hope for the best prepare for the worst. Proper documentation is not only required by legislation but is good business sense. Setting up strong foundations with thorough documentation means you can relax more easily. 

The tenancy agreement

There are two types of tenancies – fixed term and periodic.

Fixed term

Set for an agreed period, the rent is fixed and the tenant cannot be evicted. If the tenant stays on, the lease automatically becomes ‘periodic’ unless both parties agree to renew and enter into another fixed term agreement.

Periodic

On completion of the fixed term, if the tenant is remaining, the tenancy automatically moves to a periodic, or month-by-month, agreement. The rules and obligations of the original agreement remain the same with different rules for ending the tenancy and increasing the rent.

Rent increases

If rent increases have been agreed to during the period of the fixed term it needs to be stipulate in the lease agreement. This is particularly useful in leases that are longer than twelve months.

Additional terms

You can include other terms that have been agreed between you and the tenant, but they must not contravene the standard terms of the agreement or any state or federal law.

There are also some terms that you are prohibited from adding to the agreement, including:

▪ Insisting on having the carpets professionally cleaned. An exception is if you have agreed to allow the tenant to have a pet.

Insisting the tenant take out any form of insurance.

Exempting the landlord, or his agent, from legal liability.

▪ Penalties for any breaches of the lease.

▪ Performance-based rebates on rent.

Insisting the tenant use a particular tradesman, for example, for pool and garden maintenance.

You can also elaborate on and clarify important issues that you feel may be inadequately covered in the tenancy agreement. Even though, in the event of a tribunal hearing, you may not necessarily win, it does give the tenant pause before choosing to challenge it.

Additional terms may include:

Dishonoured cheques

The tenant acknowledges and agrees to pay all relevant bank fees in the event of a rent payment being dishonoured for any reason.

Repairs

The tenant acknowledges and agrees that requests for all non- urgent repairs are to be submitted in writing.

The tenant acknowledges that repairs will be carried out between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

The tenant acknowledges that in the event the tenant has agreed to an appointment with a tradesperson for the repair of an appliance, fixture or fitting, the tenant will pay the call-out fee in the following circumstances:

▪ The tradesperson finds no fault in the appliance, fixture or fitting.

▪ The tenant has not operated the appliance, fixture or fitting in the correct

▪ The tradesperson has not been able to gain access to the premises because of the tenant’s failure to attend at the appointed time.

Mail

The tenant acknowledges and agrees that any mail delivered to the rental premises, not addressed to them, will be forwarded to the landlord or managing agent without delay.

Insurance

The tenant is aware that the landlord’s insurance on the rented premises does not cover the tenant’s possessions and it is recommended that personal contents insurance be arranged.

Premises

The tenant agrees not to place any pot plants on any carpeted areas in the premises.

The tenant acknowledges and agrees not to attach or place any adhesive, hooks, nails or other fixtures to any of the surfaces in the premises without prior written consent of the landlord.

It is a breach of the lease conditions for a tenant to change or alter the locks on the premises without consent from the managing agent. In the event that consent is given, a copy of the keys must be given to the landlord or his agent within forty-eight hours.

The tenant agrees to do no decorating or painting without written permission from the landlord or managing agent.

The tenant acknowledges and agrees that smoking is not permitted by any persons within the premises.

Garden and pool

The tenant agrees to maintain the lawns and garden to at least the standard they were in at the beginning of the tenancy.

The tenant agrees that even if the landlord is responsible for the regular servicing of the garden, it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the day-to-day care of the garden.

Where the property includes a pool, the tenant agrees to purchase all the necessary pool chemicals and testing equipment in order to keep the pool clean and fit to swim in.

The tenant agrees that, even if the landlord is responsible for the regular servicing of the pool, it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain any day-to-day care, such as removing leaves.

Contact details

The tenant agrees to notify the landlord or his agent of any changes in work and mobile contact numbers within seven days.

Pets

No pets are allowed anywhere within the property unless otherwise agreed in writing by the landlord.

In the event that permission is given to allow a pet on the property, the tenant agrees to have the carpets professionally steam cleaned on vacating.

Keys

The tenant acknowledges that in the event they have lost or misplaced keys, the tenant shall replace them at his own cost.

If the tenant needs to borrow the duplicate key from the landlord or his agent, a deposit of $100 is required and will be reimbursed on its return.

In the event the tenant obtains permission to change locks, a copy of the keys is to be handed to the landlord or his agent as soon as practicable.

By-laws

The tenant agrees to comply with the by-laws and with any notice served in accordance with the by-laws.

The tenant guide

This is an essential document that needs to be given to the tenants so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Condition report

The condition report records the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy and is mandatory. When the tenant vacates, you will be referring back to the condition report to identify the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy.

If there are any disputes, this is the main evidence the tribunal will consider. Without it, you have no case.

The tenant has 7 days to agree with the report or make changes. The tenant then returns a signed copy to the landlord or agent. For more accuracy we include full resolution photos, typically over 100, as part of the condition report.

By-laws

If your property is part of a Strata Title you will need to give the tenant a copy of the rules or by-laws pertaining to the strata scheme and these need to be given to the tenant prior to signing the agreement.

The by-laws set out the rules that owners and tenants need   to follow when living in a Strata Title building. These rules cover use of common property, garbage disposal, pool use and parking, among other things.

Include a special condition in the lease stating that the tenant has been given the by-laws and that they will abide by the rules as set out.

Keys

You will need a complete set of keys for yourself, one for the agent (if you are using one) and one for every tenant listed on the tenancy agreement.   Create a photocopy of the complete set of keys you are handing to the tenant and have them sign that they have received the keys.

Tenant signing

Meeting with the tenant prior to moving in is particularly important.

At this meeting, you will go through the tenancy agreement   in some detail, making sure the tenant understands his responsibilities. You also have this time to address issues such as arrears, preferred communication, cleaning, repairs, property quirks and any other matters you feel are important.

This is an essential part of ensuring that the tenancy starts on the right foot by discussing with the tenant what your expectations are and what he should expect from you while living in your property.

Allow at least half an hour to forty-five minutes to go over the documents.

A typical agenda, would be:

Initial welcome

The lease

Go through the lease thoroughly with the tenant; give him time to read it carefully.

Pets

Make sure they are aware of your position regarding pets.

Pool and garden

Confirm the arrangements and expectations for the pool and garden.

Smoke alarms

Discuss the tenant’s responsibility to advise of any issues and not to tamper with the smoke alarm.

Arrears

Explain why it’s important to be on time with payments, what your policy is and the processes to be employed if they are late.

Repairs and maintenance

Make sure the tenant understands what an urgent repair is and what to do.

Routine inspections

Explain the process for routine inspections and how they can help you keep the property looking its best and properly maintained.

Condition report

Explain what they need to do next and how and when to return it.

Agreed repairs

Update the tenant on any repairs that need to be carried out. Discuss a timeframe and access to the property.

Keys

If handing over keys at this time have tenant sign for them.

Rental bond

Explain the rental bond procedure.

Rent in advance

Explain how rent is to be paid, how much and when. Make sure they understand the process of always paying in advance and on time. Discuss arranging a direct debit.

Hours of business

Discuss your preferred hours of business and what would be considered inappropriate times to contact you.

By the end of the meeting, you should be comfortable that the tenant is fully aware of the responsibilities and how to get in contact with you in the event of a problem.

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.

If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au

TENANT APPLICATIONS – IS THIS THE ONE?

TENANT APPLICATIONS – IS THIS THE ONE?

The tenant application is carefully designed to obtain all the information we need to make sure the tenant fits our requirements. But anyone can look good on paper, right?

So, how do we know this is the one?

First, we need to be sure that the tenant can afford to pay the rent without undue strain.

As a good rule of thumb, rent should be around a third of the (combined) gross income of the applicant(s).

Verify with the tenant’s employer that the pay slips provided with the application are accurate and current. Also confirm his position, employment period, work attitude and ethics. Make sure the work situation is stable and not under some form of probationary period or short-term contract.

If he has been working with the current employer for less than two years, you need to establish that he doesn’t have a history of instability. Check with his previous employer to confirm written details and possible problems.

Do the same thing with past rentals. Call his current landlord or agent to confirm the following details:

  • The current rent
  • How long he has lived there
  • Payment history
  • Late payments – how many and how late they were
  • Any issues and, if so, how they were handled
  • How the property was presented at the routine inspections
  • Whether there were any complaints from neighbours
  • Whether they would lease a property to this tenant again

 

At times it will be difficult to get in touch with employers and landlords/agents (current and past), but you must persist. Without having these references confirmed, you can’t take the risk with the tenant. Let the applicant know you are having difficulties reaching these people and that the tenancy application is dependent on contact being made.

Check that there are no obvious issues that may prevent the tenant from being punctual with the rent, or else the tenant’s financial problems will quickly become your problems.

Instability in a tenant will reflect in late payments and an early exit. Short-term tenancies will mean the cost of another marketing campaign and a possible vacancy that will cost money.

If there is any information on the application that conflicts with your investigation, give the tenant the opportunity to explain until you are completely satisfied, one way or another.

Tenant databases are a good idea to make sure you haven’t missed anything major. They are designed to keep records of tenants who have breached the terms of a lease and are collated by privately owned companies that are commercially operated.

The service is reasonably inexpensive and useful as a final check in your screening process.

Once you have approved the tenant you can accept a holding deposit from the tenant to secure the property while the documentation is prepared.

In New South Wales, taking a deposit is confirmation that the tenant has been accepted and is legally binding, you cannot change your mind and accept another tenant.

Finally, don’t be tempted to accept a tenant who doesn’t meet the standards. This rarely ends well. The damage caused by the wrong tenant, both emotionally and financially, can be awfully expensive.

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.

 

If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au

TENANT RENT REVIEWS- 5 POINTS TO CONSIDER

TENANT RENT REVIEWS- 5 POINTS TO CONSIDER

A rent review is essential to check whether it’s time to increase the rent or leave it alone.

I’m going to stick my neck out here and state that most people hate losing money. You know, you buy a big-ticket item and then a couple of days later find that you could have bought it elsewhere for substantially less money. Ouch.

In real estate investing, there are many ways to lose money and they all hurt. But I’ve noticed there is one way to lose money that investors don’t even notice – Rent Increases. Many owners (and their agents) don’t have a schedule and procedure to review the rent. This means that money is being lost and you don’t even know about it until it’s too late.

For a lease to be eligible for a rent increase it MUST NOT be in a fixed term. Tenants that have signed a 6 month or 12 month lease are exempt from rent increases until the fixed term of the lease expires and becomes a periodic lease (or continuing agreement).

So how do you check if it’s time for a rent review?

There are 5 key points to consider,

1. Timing

Outside of a fixed term lease of less than 2 years, NSW legislation says you can make increases as frequently as you like. It is recommended to conduct a ‘Rent Review’ annually at the same time you are performing a routine inspection. This will keep you in tune to the movements of the rental market and your tenants will be conditioned to small increases over time.

If your tenants are on a fixed term, a good time would be 70 days before the fixed term ends. If your tenant is worth keeping, offering a new lease term may be a good idea.

2.Size

Smaller increases are preferable over larger jumps. A high sudden increase will feel like a shock and may spur the tenant to consider moving or apply to the tribunal for a review.

3. Rental Market- Comparable Rentals

To conduct the review, we simply look at how many similar properties are currently available and what is the asking rental, and what similar have properties recently been leased for. Knowing what’s happening in the area is critical, you don’t want to lose the tenant for a few dollars and then find the property is vacant for weeks.

Keep in mind that tenants generally look for value when choosing a rental property. Increasing the rent based solely on the level of your expenses is not a good strategy.

4. Condition of the Premises

In performing a rent review it’s also important to see how the property has changed. Is it still looking like it did when the tenant moved in or is it starting to look a little tired? When looking at comparable properties make sure the level of finish and condition is similar.

5. Correct Notice

NSW Legislation states that we must give the tenant 60 days’ notice plus 4 days for delivery by post unless you have authority from the tenant to use email to deliver notices.

The notice must include the amount the new rent will be, the day the new rent amount will take affect and be signed by either the landlord or agent.

Managing investment properties require thorough schedules, take a look at our previous blogs ‘Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail’ or ‘Budgeting and Expenses’.

If you would like help with conducting a rent review or would like to know what your property could rent for in today’s current market, call George from Property Quarters on 0412 330 588. You will be provided with a free and no obligation, detailed report on the rental market in your area and where your property fits in. Alternatively you can leave a message here and one of us will be in touch with you.

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.

If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au

SETTING AN ASKING PRICE – THE FIRST STEP IN MARKETING

SETTING AN ASKING PRICE – THE FIRST STEP IN MARKETING

Where do you start when marketing your investment property?

The answer is- setting a rental price.

In our previous blog we discussed ‘Marketing Your Rental Property- The 5 Essentials’ now we will start at the beginning. It is important to get your initial asking price right as the wrong thinking and strategy could lead to lengthy vacancies subsequently affecting your bottom line.

Market value is the price a tenant is prepared to pay a landlord under normal conditions at a given time. What that means is that, from a field of possible properties to choose from, the tenant will decide which one represents, to them, the most appropriate home and the best value.

There are many factors that can influence the rental price, but the two main ones are supply (how many properties are available) and demand (how many tenants are available) at this particular moment.

If there are more tenants looking to rent than there are properties, they will compete with each other, pushing prices up. On the other hand, if there are more properties available than there are tenants, the landlords compete, pushing prices down.

The relationship between supply and demand for rental properties can be estimated by knowing the vacancy rate. The vacancy rate indicates the percentage of investment properties that are currently vacant. Each area has a different vacancy rate, and each area has a different method of interpreting the vacancy rate.

For example, Sydney vacancy generally hovers around one to three per cent. The lower the vacancy rate, the tighter the market and the stronger the rental prices. At vacancy rates below one per cent, tenants become desperate and start offering more than the asking price to secure a property.

In other areas, a vacancy rate of eight to ten per cent might be considered normal. Check out the vacancy rates in your area, as this is the first indicator of how strong the rental market is at the moment.

Keep in mind that, like buying, renting has seasons as well. Generally, the closer to Christmas, the fewer tenants will be looking. This starts to become noticeable in November, but December is traditionally very quiet. On the other hand, beachside properties are more desirable in summer and become quiet in winter.

Research

Once again, it’s time to research. There’s a number of resources that be very helpful in giving you an idea of current prices. Companies such as Australian Property Monitors and CoreLogic RP Data can provide information on properties that have been leased in your area.

It’s also helpful to know which properties you will be competing with. While tenants start their search sorting properties by price and location, it’s quality and cleanliness that will determine value leading to their ultimate choice.

Look on domain.com.au or realestate.com.au for a list of what is available. However, to get a real feel for comparable properties, you need to take the time to inspect them.

Finally, keep in mind that your expenses have no bearing on what a tenant will be willing to pay. This is a trap many investors set for themselves – needing a certain rental to cover their costs. Eventually, they either get lucky, which is rare, or lose months of rent.

Pricing strategy

Once you have a feel for price, an effective strategy is to start at slightly higher than the market rate and be ready to move down quickly if necessary. Being slightly above the market gives you the opportunity to get a premium rent if it’s out there, but be ready to listen to the market and act quickly if it’s not.

Renting a property is different to selling your home. When selling, it pays to wait for the best price you can negotiate, even if that may take a little while. After all, you only get one chance. With renting, every week the property is empty is costing you money in lost income.

Chasing a few extra dollars in weekly rent makes no sense if you are losing thirty times that every week in lost rent. The longer the property is vacant, the less money you will make. Sometimes, accepting a lower rent, particularly to secure great tenants, is the wise move.

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.

If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au

LANDLORD INSURANCE – MANAGE YOUR RISK

LANDLORD INSURANCE – MANAGE YOUR RISK

Landlord insurance is your investment property safety net and should be considered a ‘must have’.

It will protect you, your family and your property from potential financial difficulties, thereby lowering your investment risk.

Nobody knows what’s around the corner. Situations change and good tenants can also change under specific circumstances. You don’t want the events in your tenants’ lives to consequently have an adverse impact on yours.

Looking for the appropriate insurance cover can be confusing and time-consuming. Take your time deciding as above all you don’t want to find out you are not covered when you need it most.

The following is a guide to the different types of cover and what they entail.

Building insurance covers:

  • Replacement cost of the building;
  • Demolition and removal of debris;
  • Locks and keys; and
  • New structures to comply with all statutory requirements.

If you own an apartment, building insurance is paid through your quarterly fees. Wallpaper and paint may not be included though and should therefor be included in your contents cover.  Other items that can be added separately are things such as air-conditioning, lighting and flooring.

Contents insurance covers:

  • Carpet and other flooring
  • Light fittings
  • Window finishes
  • Manchester and linen (if supplied)
  • Any furniture itemised in the tenancy agreement
  • Kitchenware cabinets and appliances
  • Bathroom vanity, cabinetry and shower screens
  • Tap ware
  • Tiling, paint and wallpaper
  • Household goods such as gardening equipment
  • Washing machines and dryers
  • Potted plants
  • Portable pools, spas and equipment

In an apartment, make sure you know which items are not covered by the strata building insurance as you may want to include them in your own insurance. In the event of fire elsewhere in the  building, your unit may be affected by smoke and water damage consequently needing new paint and carpet, or at the very least cleaning as a result.

Events

There is a wide variety of events that can be covered, including:

  • Accidental loss or damage
  • Malicious damage
  • Theft
  • Fire or explosion
  • Lightning
  • Earthquake
  • Riot or civil commotion
  • Water damage – leaks, rain, floods and tsunamis
  • Oil heater leakage
  • Accidental glass breakage
  • Storm or rainwater
  • Electric motor burn out
  • Impact from aircraft, trains, automobiles, space debris, satellites, falling trees or branches, TV antennae, satellite dishes or radio masts

Keep your property safe from unnecessary damage by reading our previous blog: Winter is Coming- A Rental Property Checklist.

Check policy exclusions carefully. For example, some policies do not cover:

  • Accidental damage caused by the tenants
  • Theft by the tenant
  • Damage by the tenant’s pets
  • Tsunamis or other actions by the sea or rivers

Loss of rent

This covers you for loss of rent in the event that the property is not habitable and cannot be leased due to any of the events listed above.

It also covers any rent default by the tenant. However, there are usually conditions attached to a rent default claim, so check the conditions carefully.

When choosing a good tenant there are a few things to consider in order to maximise your financial return. See our blog: 3 Keys to Choosing the Right Tenant.

Public liability

This relates to your legal liability as the owner. It is in regards to an event at your investment property which results in death or injury to other people or damage to other people’s property in or at your investment property.

Consider a minimum public liability cover of no less than twenty million dollars.

No matter what your appetite for risk is, having the right Landlord Insurance goes a long way to creating peace of mind.

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income. 

If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au

HOW TO MAKE IT EASY FOR A PROPERTY MANAGER TO CHOOSE YOU AS A TENANT

HOW TO MAKE IT EASY FOR A PROPERTY MANAGER TO CHOOSE YOU AS A TENANT

The Sydney rental market can be very tight sometimes, with vacancy rates usually under 2% in most suburbs, especially at this time of year.

It’s not unusual to have over thirty groups of people visit an open for inspection and then compete with 10- 15 other applicants.

So how can you give yourself the best chance of winning against such odds?

1. Tenant Application
Make sure you fill it in accurately and completely. If a property manager has to chase anything up they may decide it’s easier to look at the next application.

2. Documentation
Make sure you have all the necessary documentation. You need to demonstrate to the property manager that you can afford the property, that you are reliable and that you will take care of the property.

You need to provide pay slips, bank statements and possibly tax returns if you are self employed that prove you can afford the rent without undue strain. Remember that an average rental of $500 per week is a commitment to pay over $26,000 over the next twelve months.

From your past and present landlords/agents obtain an up to date tenant ledger.

Written character references are also important. They show that people think of you as honest and reliable, and this will help you stand out as a worthy tenant.

Proof of identification is required in the form of passport, drivers licence, Medicare card etc. For the 100 point checklist see our previous blog “Proof of Identity”.

3. Are your referees ready?
If your application makes the shortlist, the property manager will call your past and present employer and landlord/agent, as well as any other referees you have nominated. It’s important to let your referees know they will be receiving a phone call and that you would appreciate any messages be responded to quickly. Any delays here will open the door to other applicants whose information can be verified quickly. Also, check with your employer or HR department to see if they need written permission from you to enable them to discuss your employment details with a property manager.

4. Are you ready?
Don’t wait until you see the perfect property before you start to complete an application form. Do it now, be ready, so when you do find your ideal property you can act quickly. Think of creating a tenant resume, much like an employment resume, that you can keep updating. There are several sites that offer on line applications such as 1Form and tApp.

To a property manager this type of tenant is a clear winner, because the easier you make it for a property manager the better the chances are of them selecting you as their tenant.

There are three crucial qualities landlords look for in a tenant, find out in our blog “3 Keys to Choosing the Right Tenant”

About Us

George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.

George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.

As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.

George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.

Copyright © 2022, www.propertyquarters.com.au