Hi all,
I currently own a pair of ex housing trust duplexes in Elizabeth South Australia. One of these has a long term tenant and the other has recently become vacant. A viewing was help on wed by my property manager, and they have selected what they believe to be the best tenant. The only thing is that potential tenant is asking for some work to be done on the backyard to pretty it up a little. The yard is quite large (30m x 15m) and is currently in a poor condition with no plants or landscaping of any kind.
I am considering a basic tidy up and landscape with minimal costs. Something like sleeper edging, with bark chips, stones and a few natives. Would it be fair to ask for a higher rent, say $10 p/w, if i was to act on there request?
What are peoples thoughts on this? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
It might be fair to ask for a small increase, but will the tenant want to pay it?
Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
Tenant quality in these areas is paramount – if the PM thinks the tenants are good, then I'd be inclined to meet their demands (which don't sound too burdensome anyway).
Cheers
Jamie
Jamie Moore | Pass Go Home Loans Pty Ltd
http://www.passgo.com.au
Email Me | Phone MeMortgage Broker assisting clients Australia wide Email: [email protected]
I tend to agree Jamie, after the last experience a good tenant is very important
Hi Panno
Another option is to offer to pay for some materials and allow tenant to do landscaping. If they agreed to do this, it could help them establish a personal connection to the property, and you could expect them to look after it, and maybe stay longer.
Your PM has definitely exceeded their authority. You should be very clear with them as to what the limits are re the expenditure of your money on repairs. Obviously, better communication or a new PM is on the agenda. However, it does sound as though the work they authorized was required. But you should have been contacted.
As mentioned by moxi10, giving them some money to spend on the garden and letting them choose how it is done is a great way to help the new tenant feel like the place is their home.
This could be done by meeting up with them at the local Bunnings (The one at Munno Para is probably the closest) or a specialist garden centre like Virginia Nursery or Cost Less Plants and letting them choose the plants, or by giving them a gift voucher or similar to one of those places.
You could even offer to spend a day helping them to establish the garden – again, a great way to build rapport with your new tenant, so they see you as a real person and not just someone who is hidden behind the property manager.
Thanks for the advice Moxi10 and Kevin,
I think you both make great points, and I intend on meeting up with the new tenant and working with them to create something that they want. The idea of them having more of a connection and caring for it when they are involved, makes perfect sense. I will also look at Virginia Nursery and cost less plants as alternative to the ever popular Bunnings.
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