Landlord TipsCall us on: (02) 4731 1897

By nature, tenants are more likely to care for a property if it is presented in a clean 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.
Here are a few thoughts in presenting your investment for rental:

  • Remove all rubbish
  • Clean all windows, doors, walls and skirting bards
  • Mop tiled areas of bathrooms, kitchens and laundry
  • Steam clean carpets
  • Dust and clean inside of cupboards, drawers & benchtops
  • Weed gardens and mow lawns, cut back trees & shrubs
  • Check all lights, appliances & smoke detectors. They should be in working order and
    function properly
  • Check for areas that may need attention, make sure that all minor repairs are
    completed.

Once you have secured a tenant you should work hard at keeping them as much as your tenant has to work at keeping you:

  • Spend money when required. Attend to all repairs and maintenance promptly, this will not only preserve the life of your property, it will satisfy the needs of your tenants as well.
  • Show your thanks to your tenant for looking after your property and paying rent on time. A simple card at Christmas time or a little note after an inspection never fails and helps build a good long lasting relationship.
  • Be realistic and fair when deciding on rental increases. Increasing the rent in small increments on a regular basis may not cause such a financial burden on the tenant and can have a substantial effect on the long term performance of your investment.
  • Minimise vacant losses by renewing leases. After reviewing the lease terms including rental amounts it is a good idea to enter into a new fixed term agreement. This will secure you & your tenants to the agreement for another lease term providing all parties with peace of mind.
  • Vacancy can be vastly more expensive then taking a small reduction in rent. Excessive rents can scare off good tenants. There is probably a reason why some are willing to pay above market, perhaps they have been poor tenants in the past!!!

Take out Landlord’s Insurance – this eliminates unnecessary risk & potentially expensive payouts. This type of insurance provides a safety net & peace of mind. Depending on the policy it can provide you with cover against malicious & accidental damage by tenants. It can also protect you from loss of rental income as a result of a tenant absconding or damaging your property & leaving it unable to be relet while repairs are made.

For more tips or information on leasing your property please contact our Property Management Team ph: (02) 4731 1897.