Petrusma Property Management – We're here to help

We are so proud to announce that Petrusma Property Management has been voted the #1 Property Management Agency in Tasmania during the recent RateMyAgent 2023 awards night. The award recognises the agency that has received the best rating based on client reviews and feedback.

We want to thank all our wonderful clients for placing their trust in us to manage their properties and the amazing team of professionals who make our company what it is.

A MESSAGE FROM

Our Director

Thank you for your interest in the services provided by Petrusma Property Management.

We hope you find this overview of our Property Management services helpful. The information contained in this presentation should only be considered as a guide.

In selecting an agent to manage your investment property for you the most important thing to look for is someone who you trust will manage the property and maximise the return on your investment. The best agent is not necessarily the agent with the lowest management fee and the highest rental valuation of your property – it is the agent that has the skills and knowledge to manage your property with professionalism.

We hope you consider Petrusma Property Management when selecting an agent to manage your investment. Our Property Management team have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the local rental market and are dedicated to effectively manage your property.

By entrusting the management of your property to Petrusma Property Management, you are assured the personal commitment of not only your property manager, but the full team of the company in achieving your objectives.

Residential property management has undergone some significant changes over the last decade. The Residential Tenancies Act is an ever changing set of laws that are in place to better govern and protect tenants and landlords alike.

Appointing us will ensure you have the experience and knowledge to meet the necessary requirements.

With Petrusma Property Management your investment is in safe hands.

Janita Atha | DIRECTOR – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY

For Inspection

There are many things you can do to maximise the rental income on your property and boost its potential for attracting quality tenants.

Attend to any maintenance items that are needed:

• Garbage and recycle bins are empty and ready for tenant use

• Remove any mould from the shower recess/wet areas

• Repair any cracked glass panels

• Have the curtains, blinds and drapes in good working order – should any of the winders be missing or broken, ensure they are fixed / replaced

• All floor coverings are professionally cleaned

• Remove all rubbish from premises

By law, smoke detectors must be installed.

Make sure gutters, fascia and down pipes are well maintained.

Keep the lawns and gardens looking fresh, especially whilst the property is vacant.

Wash all weatherboards and external walls.

Make sure all appliances such as oven, stove top, air conditioners, dishwashers and wood heaters are in good working order and clean at start of tenancy.

Please note: That you are aware that should your property contain items such as air conditioners, dishwashers etc. that you are responsible for the upkeep.

Oil hinges and catches on gates and sheds, and repair any damaged fence panels.

Repair broken windows.

Tighten loose door knobs.

Be aware of odours (sometimes when your property is vacant and locked up it may be advisable to place a couple of air fresheners throughout the property).

Clean aluminium window tracks.

Degrease the oven and ensure stove top is cleaned.

Ensure all light bulbs are in working order.

Clean all windows inside and outside.

Your Property

Marketing is a key concept to leasing out your property and one that we see as a priority in reaching it’s maximum exposure to the target market.

We will visit your property and arrange for your property to be photographed with some internal and external photos. We can also provide the option of a ‘For Lease’ signboard if your property is located in a high traffic area.

Your property will be marketed as follows;

With 5 sales offices across the greater Hobart area we provide a daily in-house Rental List which are available for every potential client to take home / with them to drive past your property to see if they would like to visit the property to view.

Your property will also be advertised on the following internet sites:

• petrusma.com.au

• realestate.com.au

• domain.com.au

• realestateview.com.au

• homely.com.au

THE APPLICATION

Process

When your property is ready to be leased, an open home will be held by the Portfolio Manager to show potential tenants through.

Upon meeting potential tenants, we show them through your property pointing out its features and while doing so we are also trying to get as much information about them as possible by asking questions and observing their behaviour.

If they are interested in applying for the property they access and complete the applicaiton online.

Upon submitting an application the tenant is required to supply us with supporting documents including;

• 100 Points of Identification

• Prior rental references

• Proof of income

• Bank statements

• Proof and status of current employment

We process the application by checking out their current and previous rental history – this involves contacting their current agent / landlord and gaining information such as;

• Current rent paid to date and rent payment history

• How is the property maintained by the tenant etc.

• Tenant Communication

• Term of tenancy and current lease

• Advice of maintenance required

• Condition of exterior gardens and lawns

We contact the tenant’s current employer and confirm their current employment terms – the business is checked to ensure it is a legitimate company.

Once we have completed all of the above checks we will then contact yourself and go through the application with you and provide the applicant details we are recommendeding for your property.

It is however, always your final decision on whether the application is approved or declined.

BEFORE THE TENANT

Moves in

Once the tenant has been sourced and approved, we then visit the property and complete the entry condition report.

This report is a key tool in maintaining the property in the same condition that you have provided it to the tenant.

This comprehensive inspection is supported by internal and external photos via our software.

The tenant is given a copy of this report and they have three days to go through the report and bring it back to us with anything they may disagree with.

If there is any issue that the tenant notifies our property management team of, you will be informed immediately to rectify.

By providing the tenant with a copy it gives them an opportunity to make a note on the report prior to signing and returning.

When the property is vacated this entry condition report is compared with the vacate report. The bond claim can be done based on the difference between the entry and vacating inspection reports.

PROPERTY

Inspections

This is one of the most important parts of managing a property as it keeps both you and our Property Management team informed as to whether the tenant is maintaining the property and if there are any maintenance items that need attending to which could minimise more damage being done to the property if the problem is left unattended.

Inspections are conducted initially after the first six weeks of a tenant moving into the property. Following the initial ‘settled in’ inspection, we visit the property every four months.

The details of the inspection are noted with supporting photos and sent to you electronically for your perusal and record.

RENTAL

Arrears

Our Portfolio Managers at Petrusma Property Management take a ‘zero tolerance’ response to rental arrears.

This means that arrears are done on a daily basis and quick action is taken as follows to ensure prompt payment is made:

Payment Options

We offer the following methods for your tenants to pay rent: internet banking via direct debit or BPay.

SMS

Once your tenant falls one day behind in their rent we send them an SMS stating we haven’t received their rent payment and can they contact us to advise what is happening. The vast majority of tenants reply to this and inform us when we can expect their payment. We then follow up on the day they nominate they are paying to make sure the agreement is met.

Once a tenant is 7 – 10 days in arrears we are permitted to issue a ‘Notice to Vacate’ via personal delivery for non-payment of rent (you will be made aware if this is happening). The notice is used as a demanding letter whilst also providing us with the legal avenue to claim compensation or possession of the property. This provides your tenant 14 days to pay the rent or vacate the property.

Phone Calls

When your tenants are issued with a Notice to Vacate we attempt to contact them by phone to find out what is happening and why rent is not paid. You are notified of any communication that is made with the tenants.

Property Visit

If the tenant is unable to be contacted we pay a visit to the property to make sure tenants have not vacated and not informed us.

Tribunal Action

If the tenant is still in the property once the Notice to Vacate has expired and the rent is still not paid we make an application to the Magistrates Court for possession of the property to be returned to the Landlord.

REPAIRS &

Maintenance

Maintenance is done in direct communication with you – where required we have a network of skilled tradespeople available at competitive rates.

When a tenant contacts our office in regards to maintenance action required we will either contact you to seek your instructions to proceed or contact your specified trades-person to attend and rectify. We will organise access to the property with the tenant to conduct the repair.

Should you decide to attend to your own repairs, we request that our landlords DO NOT just turn up at the property as the tenant can deny access. (48 hours notice is required)

If the repair is urgent (e.g. the tenant has no hot water) and we cannot contact you we will organise for our tradesman to attend to repair immediately, however if it is not deemed to be an emergency, we will continue to try and contact yourself to inform you of the situation and seek your instructions.

If the tenants have an after hours emergency they can contact the relevant trades person noted on their lease agreement to attend and rectify. If the tenants organise a repair that is not deemed to be an emergency the account will have to be paid by them – this is explained to your tenants when they sign their lease.

If we notice the tenants are not maintaining the property we will contact them and explain that they need to rectify this situation and we will then arrange to re-inspect to ensure the maintenance has been rectified.

If a problem is still occurring and the tenants are not taking action or returning our phone calls and responding we will issue a ‘Breach of Lease’ notice and can take these matters to the Magistrates Court if needed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Questions

There’s a lot to understand about property management so we’ve gathered a list of the most commonly asked questions.

What insurance cover is needed?

It is best you discuss this with your current insurance company and advise them that the property is to be tenanted. We urge you to check your policy ensuring that you have the correct coverage and it is strongly suggested you consider Landlord insurance.

How is payment made to the owner?

Accounts are processed at mid-month being the first working day following the 15th day of the month and at end of month being the first working day following the last day of the month. Your statement will show rent received for the month less our fees and deductions for accounts paid. Copies of accounts are attached to the statement. Your rent proceeds are credited electronically to your bank account.

Payment of council rates, land tax, water & other charges?

The Agent can disburse these payments from the income received on your behalf. (note. forms to be completed by the owner to instruct all utilities).

What is the length of the average tenancy?

It is most common that tenancies are arranged for a fixedterm agreement, being either six or twelve months. These terms are negotiated towards the expiry of each period, by first contacting you, and then submitting your offer to the tenant. Fixed term tenancy agreements can only be terminated at the end of the Agreement if either party does not want to renew the agreement, by giving written notice. The notice must be given to the other party 42 days prior to the date on which vacant possession of the premises is required. The tenant can break the Tenancy Agreement in this circumstance we act quickly to let you know and seek your instructions.

Can I choose the tenant?

If you have indicated to your Property Manager that you would like to be consulted, once we have suitable applications processed, we will contact you to discuss and you then make the final decision as to which applicant you would prefer as a tenant.

What happens if my tenant breaks lease?

We understand that circumstances change and sometimes tenants may need to vacate during a fixed term lease agreement, however, this shouldn’t cost you as the owner. A tenant is able to “break their lease” in a fixed term lease agreement and here is what you need to know:

• The tenant is responsible to continue making rent payments until the day before a new tenancy commences, or the end of their fixed term lease, whichever comes first

• The tenant is responsible for the $110 advertising fee to re-advertise the property and begin searching for new tenants

• There is no letting fee or advertising fee payable by the owner

• We arrange open homes directly with the tenant and process applications as per the usual advertising process

• Usual final inspection and exit report procedures are followed

• As the outgoing tenants rent ceases the day before a new lease commences, there is no vacancy period for the owner

Aislinn