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Landlords Preparation for Winter! The 3 Key Elements

Part of being a landlord is preparing in advance for issues such as planned maintenance and vacancies.

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Part of being a landlord is preparing in advance for issues such as planned maintenance and vacancies. In case your tenants vacate, landlords should always be aware of what they need to do to ensure properties are in the best condition, in order to rent again, with minimal vacancies to new quality tenants. It goes without saying that the more proactive the landlord, and better presented the property, generally the better quality the new tenant will be.

Often the winter period is the quieter time of the year for the rental property market (as less people are moving at this time) so just prior to winter all landlords should be prepared in advance to take steps to ensure their property is ready to market to new tenants. Winter is when competition is the highest for tenants so there are specific issues to consider when for planning for this period. Property owners need to be on their game to ensure that their properties stand out from the crowd and will appeal to prospective tenants.

Generally your property manager sends you periodic inspection reports on the condition of the property and any issues to be addressed either now or at some stage down the line. The reason for this is that landlords hate surprises and your property manager’s communication gives you the time and resources to plan for any maintenance and improvements in advance. As a property owner you should begin planning for these issues prior to tenants giving notice and properties becoming vacant. This means taking steps to collect quotes, organize work where necessary and budget for the work in advance. Landlords who wait until properties become vacant are those likely to experience far greater vacancies between tenancies as the process grinds to a halt as they wait for quotes and tradesman.

All properties generally rent quicker in the summer months. This is due to many reasons including a higher demand for property in general. There is also the fact that almost all properties look better in the summer months when the sun is shining, the smell of the cut green grass is appealing and most properties show little sign of moisture or dampness. Winter months require addressing specific issues which I have noted below that may not matter so much in the summer. These important issues should be addressed when tenants give notice (not when they have vacated, but in the last weeks of their tenancy). Remember that all properties are generally marketed while tenants are still in occupation so often you can’t afford to wait until the property is vacant. It is also important to understand that tenants are only required to present a property to a “reasonable standard” so they will never address exterior issues 100% and owners need to be prepared to address the rest.

Trees, Gardens & Hedges: As all prospective tenants usually do a drive by from the outside of a property prior to viewing the inside so these issues require special attention. All trees/hedges should be trimmed back as much as possible which will improve sunlight on the property and though windows (less dampness) and stop leaves gathering around the yard. Gardens should be given a mini spring clean just prior to tenants vacating. Usually outgoing tenants will only maintain a garden to 75% so owners may need to complete this to maximize presentation. Lawns & edges should be attended to. By weed matting all gardens and clearing weeds not only do gardens look tidy but combined with the above issues, the entire property will appear to be LOW MAINTENANCE which is what all tenants look for.

Insulation: Winter brings this aspect of properties to the front of prospective tenant’s minds. Often some tenants will not rent in summer as they want to see a property in the winter first. These days insulation requirements are a lot stricter so many older properties may have poor or sub standard insulation. When prospective tenants are inspecting properties they will be looking at walls, ceilings, nets, curtains and windows for evidence of mould and moisture. The increase in recent media reports about poor insulation and education on heath risks, have driven tenants concerns. It goes without saying that generally the better insulated properties, will be the ones that rent the first in winter. Chattels such as heat pumps, HRV ventilation units and bathroom fans, will also assist in reducing moisture, and making properties more appealing. Subsidies are now available from the government for landlords insulating rental properties, and if you have a current tenant who is a beneficiary then extra subsidies apply. Better insulation and less moisture is also an investment in your chattels, such as curtains and nets which will last longer in a better insulated property. If surfaces show signs of moisture then they should be painted.

Lighting & Security: Often tenants who are viewing properties after hours in winter, will visit a property in the dark. This is when lighting and security becomes important. All properties should have security sensor lights/bulbs installed which pop on as soon as the tenants walk down the driveway or path. This gives tenants a sense of personal safety and security as soon as they step on to your property. Not only will they see what they have come to look at, but they know that if they lived there, they could feel secure. Alarms will also provide the tenants with additional piece of mind and help you compete with other properties.

Next time you receive an inspection report from your property manager identifying potential issues at your property, it may be worth getting the ball rolling ASAP. If you manage your own property then you should be inspecting quarterly or six monthly to assess the presentation and any issues yourselves. Start organizing quotes so you can budget for the work. Make a list of all issues in advance so if tenants give notice you can begin without delay. Any professional property manager will tell you that their role is a combination of systematic processes we follow each day or week to ensure that the property or portfolio performs well. We are not only managing as of today but planning for the future. In this day and age it is not possible to be re-active and only get involved when a tenant moves out or doesn’t pay the rent. The performance of the property is a direct result of how proactive the landlord is so you need to be prepared and plan for the future. A landlord with a plan is definitely the man/woman!

Tenants

Coworking Countdown – 4 Things to Prepare Before You Move In

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The coworking scene has done anything but slowed down. Coworking spaces in Auckland alone vary between your upmarket, corporate office to the trendier, chic ones. Certainly, investing in this type of commercial real estate has never been more attractive.  There is a space for everyone in this landscape and for businesses looking for new workspaces there’s not only variety available, there’s options at an affordable price.

When a business has finally found an office, in one of these buildings they have not only found a workspace, they’ve also found community as well. One coworking space – Servcorp – is a good example of the way work and networking have intersected to provide business with the chance to grow. This new way of leasing premises is highly attractive to the leasee and the property owner.  Here are some tips for moving into a new coworking space, so the business can prepare to maximise their working experience.

Continue reading to learn what you can do to prepare for your move to your new coworking space to ensure the move is as seamless as possible.

Purposeful Coworking

Coworking presents professionals with the chance to use the space to just work or to build on their professional network. Before getting comfortable in your new office, sit down and take inventory of the tasks beyond work that you would like to accomplish. When writing down your goals and objectives, keep in mind the types of activities that you would like to engage in the space.

Of the many activities, formal networking events and community social events are the types you want to pay attention to if you plan to use the space to build a social network. Not that you have to be out and about every night, but scheduling time to promote your business is one way to maximise the coworking space. Ultimately, if the purpose of coworking is to build a networking platform or to grow your business, find ways to incorporate the more social aspect of the space.

Tool Of The Trade

Another thing that professionals moving into a coworking space should prepare for is knowing what amenities the space provides. Standard spaces fit out the office with exceptional IT services and office equipment, but other amenities include programs and conferences that help teach entrepreneurs how to build their businesses. Before moving into your space, consider checking out all the perks of working in your coworking space.

Moreover, make sure you know what is available for use in the office, so as to bring supplies if necessary. While staplers and other office products come standard in a conventional office, some spaces might not make this available to employees. On a larger scale, make sure there is a receptionist available, and if not, know exactly how to retrieve any messages.

Change Of Business Address

Before leaving your conventional or home office, make sure that clients and other important people know your new location and phone number. One simple way to do this is to email clients of your relocation as to avoid any mix-ups. Furthermore, make sure to forward any business mail to your new location, as to avoid missing important parcels. Finally, make sure you know the building’s office hours for scheduling appointments.

Event Calendar

Check out the coworking space’s event calendar. In addition to the numerous networking opportunities in the day, many coworking communities hold events to get the professionals to engage with each other. Make an exerted effort to attend at least a few of the events every week to raise your business’s profile. You never know what opportunity awaits when engaging people from your profession and others.

Preparing And Putting Coworking To Work

Coworking makes moving effortless simply by alleviating much of the work associated with relocating. You can, however, maximise your move by putting together an agenda of how you plan to use the work to benefit your business. Your plan will help you use your space more effectively for building a platform for business success.

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Tenants

Auction Site For Renters

New Zealand will soon see the rise of a new auction site for renters. Just in on stuff.co.nz Rentberry has confirmed they will be launching here and in Australia. The online service offers renters the opportunity to bid for rental properties. Landlords set the ‘reserve’ or rent level they hope will generate lots of prospective tenants interest and then the bidding war takes off.

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New Zealand  will soon see the rise of a new auction site for renters.  Just in on stuff.co.nz Rentberry has confirmed they will be launching here and in Australia.  The online service offers renters the opportunity to bid for rental properties.   Landlords set the ‘reserve’ or rent level they hope will generate lots of prospective tenants interest and then the bidding war takes off.   Landlords get the final say on whom is the successful applicant and while they may review the highest bids first, they won’t be choosing the tenant just based on what they’re prepared to pay.

An Auckland property management company spokesperson said common-sense will prevail among Landlords.  Securing long term tenancies with tenants that have good credit histories and references will remain the top priority.  Prospective tenants information is available to the Landlord in the service so they can select the tenant without delay.

Rentberry will provide more transparency of the selection process with prospective tenants and Landlords learning what the true market value is for their property.  This is a positive move for investors especially those who are new to the rental market and Landlords whom self manage their rental properties and may currently be charging more or less rent.

There has been some healthy criticism of the service even in it’s infancy.  In America affordable housing advocates are angered by the service and tenant groups in Australia are wary that the service will push up prices.

Rentberry has been operating in the USA since 2016 and is currently expanding into 1000 cities there. It’s focus is on renting Apartments and this is where we see the service take off in our neck of the woods in our main centres in New Zealand.


This blog article was written for PropertyBlogs by Mobilize Mail.

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Tenants

Tenants Let Off With 4.8% Increase

Weekly rents rose just 4.8 percent in the twelve months to July 2016 according to Trade Me Rent Price Index. Tenants will be relieved Landlords are being realistic and not keen on hiking rents arbitrarily. Property sales have slowed and the average asking price has dropped significantly up ten percent since July 2015.

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Weekly rents rose just 4.8 percent in the twelve months to July 2016 according to Trade Me Rent Price Index.  Tenants will be relieved Landlords are being realistic and not keen on hiking rents arbitrarily

Property sales have slowed and the average asking price has dropped significantly up ten percent since July 2015.   Of particular interest is the slow down in property asking prices in Auckland where a typical property listed in June was just $3,750 less than the asking price in July.   According to this article Investors are buying most of the houses.

In Auckland City and on the North Shore investors have purchased 50 percent of the properties on the market.  A North Shore and Auckland City property management company spokesperson said investors are listing new properties with them.  In Auckland City it’s mostly apartments and there’s high demand for quality living quarters downtown.

“In July 2011 New  Zealand’s median weekly rent was $350 a week, that has risen by $90 a week over the past 5 years, while at the same time the increase in the average asking price of a typical New Zealand property has risen by $200,000 an increase of 51 per cent.”

Trade Me Rent Price Index

While there’s the odd sensational article on ‘greedy landlords’ hiking rents to unprecedented levels evidence proves otherwise and tenants are the winners.

In the regions there has been some catch up with rents rising by double digit percentages in Northland, Manawatu, and Marlborough.  However urban average rents have remained stagnant.


This blog article was written for PropertyBlogs by Mobilize Mail.

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