Why choose Carter Cooper Realty to Manage Your Property?

Owning an investment property is an important step in your financial future. Using a Property Manager to manage your investment should help to minimise risk and maximise your returns. Choosing the right Property Manager for your needs is essential to correctly manage your property and ensure your investment works for you. The Carter Cooper Realty property management team, led by Donna Jenkins who is arguably Hervey Bay’s most experienced asset manager, does more than just collect rent:

• They understand the laws and legislations of Real Estate
• Can find and screen suitable tenants
• Conduct inspections and organise maintenance where required
• Provide advice on increasing the value of your investment
• Ensure any disputes with tenants are dealt with quickly and efficiently
• Regularly review your rental
• Have access to comparable rentals and negotiate appropriate increases
• Minimise vacancy periods

Most importantly, a Property Manager can assist you to preserve the condition of your property, increase its value and maximise income – that’s ultimately why you are investing in property in the first place! With a professional to manage your interests and advise you on legislations, your experience as a landlord will be enjoyable and rewarding one. Carter Cooper Realty offers all these services and more. We can help you minimise the risk of owning an investment property and maximise your income.

Landlord Information Booklet

Becoming a lessor (landlord) can be a daunting experience.  However, if you engage in the services of a professional agency and a professional property manager, the worry and challenges are significantly minimised.  The following information is supplied to assist you with general information about the responsibilities and rights of a lessor.

Using an agent/property management 
One of the main advantages of using a professional to manage your investment property is peace of mind. Qualified property managers know the marketplace, ensuring you receive maximum returns on your investment. They also have an understanding of relevant legislation and paperwork that is required under the Residential Tenancies Act. The world of property management can be quite complex with legislation affecting the everyday workings of a tenancy and lessor relationship. For example: the Privacy Act, Anti-discrimination Act, Trade Practices Act, Property Agents and Residential Tenancies & Rooming Accommodation Act. Using a professional agency to manage your property alleviates you from the pressure of having to deal with tenancy issues. Property managers negotiate rents and leases on your behalf, sign and complete all documentation required by legislation, attend to maintenance issues, organise quotes, complete routine inspections (with your consent), attend to the payment of maintenance accounts, disburse funds to you monthly or twice monthly, provide you with a written financial statement of your rental funds, complete final inspections when your tenants vacate, plus a range of other services. There are many functions of property management that are required to be done that a private lessor may not be aware of.  The skill and expertise of an agent will reduce the risk of non-compliance with the Act and save you as the investor from facing the possibility of financial penalties through non-compliance.  An agent is required by the Property Agents and Tenancies & Rooming Accommodation Act to have you sign your instructions in the form of an Appointment of Agent – Letting and Property Management (POA Form 6) when you engage their services to let and manage your investment property.  The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) produces a standard Property Management Agreement that forms part of the POA Form 6 agreement.

Rental Bonds
A bond is not required to be taken by legislation however it is deemed best practice that one is taken and most real estate agents will ensure that your tenant pays the maximum amount of bond. The maximum amount of bond payable for a property $500 per week or less is four times the weekly rent. The Lessor/Agent receiving the rental bond MUST forward the bond onto the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) within 10 days as per legislative requirements. The maximum penalty for failing to forward the bond onto the RTA is $3000.  The bond is a security deposit in the event that the tenant does not meet their obligations under the tenancy agreement.  For example: if they damage the property, or if they fail to pay rent up until vacate date.  If the property is returned in the same condition as they found it as per the entry condition report, fair wear and tear excepted, and the rent is paid in full up until vacate date, the bond has to be refunded to the tenant. It is important to understand that the bond money does not automatically become the owner’s money when it is paid by the tenant at the beginning of the tenancy.  It remains the tenant’s money, held in trust by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) until the tenancy ends. If the weekly rent is more than $500 per week, there is no limit on the amount of bond that can be charged.

Tenancy Disputes
Should a tenancy dispute arise it is important to remember that being patient and trying to see your tenant’s point of view may resolve the matter more quickly.  Often tenants and landlords can resolve their disputes by referring to their rights and responsibilities as set out in the Residential Tenancies Act. If the dispute continues, however, the RTA’s dispute resolution service may help.  A request for dispute resolution can be made by lodging an RTA Form 16 (dispute resolution request) with the RTA.  If the parties cannot reach an agreement with the help of the RTA, an application can be made to the Small Claims Tribunal for an order about the dispute.

For more information contact:  RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES AUTHORITY (RTA) 33 Herschel Street OR GPO Box 390 Brisbane QLD 4001 Ph: 1300 366 311 Fax: 07 3361 3666 Website: http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/

Maintenance and Access
Lessors are responsible for all maintenance on a property under the Residential Tenancies Act.  Regular upkeep and maintenance on your investment property is vital to ensure that you receive maximum returns on your investment property and also assists in securing longer term, happier tenants. Longer term tenants cause less wear and tear to the property.  Section 103 (3) of the Residential Tenancies Act states that while a tenancy continues, the lessor: – must maintain the premises in a way that the premises remains fit for the tenant to live in; – must maintain the premises and inclusions in good repair; – must ensure any law dealing with issues about health or safety of persons using or entering the premises is complied with; and if the premises includes a common area, they must keep the area clean. It is important for lessors to understand that if they supply an inclusion such as a dishwasher or air conditioner in the property when a tenant begins renting, that they must maintain it.  Some lessors believe that if the appliance breaks down, that they don’t have to fix it. However if it does break down, the lessor must repair or replace the item. Agents ensure that they are using the services of a suitably qualified, insured tradesperson.  Most real estate agents may request the tenant to advise of any routine maintenance in writing to their agency. This is best practice for both parties.The definition of routine repairs according to the Act is “routine repairs” are repairs that are not emergency repairs. The meaning of emergency repairs as per section 123a of the Residential Tenancies Act, are works needed to repair any of the following:

• a burst water service
• a blocked or broken lavatory service
• a serious roof leak
• a gas leak
• a dangerous electrical fault
• flooding or serious flood damage
• serious storm, fire or impact damage
• a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to premises
• a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on premises for hot water, cooking or heating
• a fault or damage that makes premises unsafe or insecure
• a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a resident of the premises
• a serious fault in a staircase, lift or other common area of premises, that unduly inconveniences a resident in gaining access to, or using, the premises.

Routine repairs are any matter other than the above mentioned. The lessor/agent must attend to routine maintenance within a reasonable timeframe. If the lessor or tenant has any concerns or questions in relation to maintenance, they can contact the RTA on 1300 366 311. Emergency maintenance must be attended to immediately.  The tenancy agreement has provision for giving the tenant instructions on whom to contact if the emergency occurs out of hours.  Most agents inspect rental premises every three to four months as per their duty of care to the lessor and to ensure that the premises is maintained in a reasonable condition.  The lessor/agent has to give no less than seven days written notice on the RTA-approved Form 9, (entry notice) the amount of notice needed depends on the reason for entering the premises. 

The minimum notice periods are:

• to inspect the premises – seven days (lessor/agent allowed to enter no more than once in a three month period, unless the tenant agrees)
• to complete routine repairs or carry out maintenance – 24 hours
• to repair or carry out maintenance where the premises is in a remote area and there is a shortage of qualified tradespersons in the area – no notice
• in an emergency, or to protect the premises from damage – no notice
• if the lessor/agent believes that the premises is abandoned – 24 hours
• to show the premises to a prospective tenant or purchaser or for valuation purposes – 24 hours ( if the property is for sale, a Form 10 – notice of lessor’s intention to sell must have been issued)
• by order of the Small Claims Tribunal – as stated in the order.

The parties may wish to negotiate a time that is suitable to everyone.  If entry is for a lawful purpose, the correct notice has been given, and the entry is at a reasonable time the tenant cannot refuse entry.  Under the Act, the tenant does not have an automatic right to be present when the lessor/agent enters. If you have any concerns or questions regarding entry contact the RTA.  It is important for the lessor to understand that if the agent has inspected the property for a routine inspection within the three month time frame that they too cannot inspect until the time lapses, unless the tenant agrees to the inspection.  For more information regarding lessor and tenant responsibilities, visit the Residential Tenancies Authority website at http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/ or phone 1300 366 311.

The above information has kindly been compiled and supplied to us by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) and is current as at December 2008. Any information provided on our website regarding Residential Tenancies Authority  rules and regulations are provided in good faith and to the best of our knowledge, however for the most up to date information we refer you to RTA itself.