16 February 2013
LANDLORDS: GETTING READY FOR THE SWITCH TO DIGITAL TV Between 2010 and 2013, analog free-to-air TV signals are being switched off and replaced with digital-only signals. If you own or manage a property, you need to check now that it is digital ready to ensure your tenants will be able to receive free-to-air digital TV once the analog signals are switched off in the area. Your tenants will expect you to ensure the property is digital ready. The sooner you’re prepared the better it will be for your property investment. To watch digital TV after the switch off, your tenants will need equipment that’s capable of receiving digital TV—equipment like a set top box (for connecting to an analog TV) or a TV with a built-in digital tuner. If they have this equipment and can’t receive the free-to-air digital TV channels available in your area, your property’s antenna system may need to be upgraded, or a new external antenna installed. Upgrading your property’s antenna system 1. Find out who is responsible for the maintenance of the antenna system. If your property is a free-standing house, you may wish to check the tenancy agreement and relevant tenancy legislation in your state or territory to see what it says about adding or altering fixtures. Even if it is not clearly stated in the legislation, it is good practice to arrange any necessary antenna works yourself, using an experienced antenna installer. This will ensure your property is digital ready for current and future tenants, and avoid possible damage caused by a tenant adding or removing their own fixtures. 2. Is your rental property a unit or apartment? Larger buildings like apartment blocks or groups of townhouses may have shared antenna systems, also known as Master Antenna TV (MATV) systems. While many shared antenna systems are adequate for both analog and digital TV reception, some may need to be upgraded or replaced. In some cases, a shared antenna system may need to be installed for the first time. In a residential building, the owners corporation (or body corporate) is responsible for maintaining and repairing common property, including a shared antenna system. Contact your strata or building manager to ensure that, in the first instance, any existing antenna system is inspected by an experienced antenna installer. Upgrades to shared antenna systems can be complex, and getting approval from unit owners may take time. Start the process early to get your building digital ready well before the analog switch off. 3 Claiming a tax deduction if you buy an antenna As a property owner, you may be able to claim a tax deduction for part or all of the cost of the purchase or upgrade of antenna equipment for your rental property. To find out whether you are eligible, contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), or download the ATO “Rental Properties” guide at www.ato.gov.au/rental. Information provided courtesy of www.digitalready.gov.au. Handbooks can be downloaded from www.digitalready.gov.au/publications. Craig J. Stephens Managing Director / Officer in Effective Control M 0418 547 938
Yarraville
104 Somerville Road 9316 9000
Williamstown 1/66 Douglas Parade (Corner Stevedore Street) 9393 1600 www.jasstephens.com.au
As a service to our vendors, we will require names & phone numbers on entry of all inspections. Privacy Act 2000: We use personal information collected from you during open for inspections for security purposes. We may also use that information to contact you with respect to this property and others we believe may be of interest to you. Also, we may contact you in relation to other services provided by us or our associates such as insurance, mortgages and loans. By providing your information to us you agree to our use of it as described above unless you advise us differently. If the information is not provided we may not be able to provide an effective and comprehensive service to you. (Your personal information will be collected and held in accordance with provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2000). We have obtained all information in this document from sources we believe to be reliable, however, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Prospective purchasers are advised to carry out their own investigations. We strongly recommend that you clearly register your interest with our representative at the open for inspection, so that in the event of a sale being imminent, your position is protected. We make every effort to contact all interested parties prior to a property being sold.
MEET THE TEAM
MAREE CECCHIN
ANNA GRECH
ASTRID JANE
ALAN STEPHENS
REECE GOSSTRAY
Sales Trust Administrator
Senior Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Chairman
Phone 9316 9025
Mobile 0438 446 051
Mobile 0402 211 660
Mobile 0411 242 638
Project Sales Manager – Banbury Village
Email salessec@jasstephens.com.au
Email agrech@jasstephens.com.au
Email ajane@jasstephens.com.au
Email astephens@jasstephens.com.au
MARK HUTCHESON
NICOLE GRECH
LACHLAN McCRAW
RACHEL WHITE
MAX WALLER
Sales Consultant
Marketing Manager
Mobile 0448 820 445
Mobile 0423 590 508
Business Development Manager (Property Management) - City of Maribyrnong
Business Development Manager (Property Management) - City of Hobsons Bay
Director Provincial Home Loans
Email mhutcheson@jasstephens.com.au
Email ngrech@jasstephens.com.au
Mobile 0400 335 498
Mobile 0431 597 601
Email lmccraw@jasstephens.com.au
Email rwhite@jasstephens.com.au
Mobile 0418 378 276 Email rgosstray@jasstephens.com.au
Mobile 0438 430 436 Email maxwaller@provincialhomeloans.com.au