For the majority of people, purchasing property represents their biggest and most important financial investment. Therefore choosing the right property management team should be undertaken with as much care as choosing the property itself. The best possible return you receive relies on how well your property is managed.
Sissons property management boasts a customer focused team headed by experienced specialist managers who expertly attend to all facets of managing properties. No longer is this field confined to rent collection, these last few years has seen the investment market surge into a serious business. Property management now, more than ever, requires dedication, attention to detail, knowledge and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people from vast backgrounds with many differing needs.
Dedicated Specialists
Sissons’ property management team is suitably qualified and trained to ensure every legal obligation is met. Our outstanding level of professional service begins with the continuing education, ongoing industry training and seminar attendance made standard for each team member. Staying informed on legislation changes and a full understanding of market dynamics is critical in achieving the best possible return on your property.
Marketing
To provide optimum exposure for your property, our marketing campaign focuses on various media outlets:
- Strong national exposure through www.realestate.com.au .
- www.sissons.com.au – our innovative website allows 24 hour access to prospective tenants to view your property and enquire online, with innovative graphics and constantly updated rental information allows world-wide exposure.
- Direct internal marketing to our active data base of prospective tenants as well as interstate relocation companies.
Tenant Selection
Our team understands that our goal is to find the best possible tenant in the quickest possible time. Securing this is done with great care by our specialist management staff through a thorough screening process.
- Applicants are required to complete a detailed application form which includes a highly effective face-to-face interview to ascertain whether the prospective tenant meets your expectations.
- We carry out detailed rental and employment checks to ensure they have a stable history and the desire to maintain your property at a high standard. It is mandatory that the chosen tenants undergo complete reference checks. As a further precaution, Sissons also holds memberships with both the Tenancy Information Centre Australia and The National Tenancy Database.
Taking Occupancy
After the tenant has undergone our screening process, Sissons’ property management team will seek your final approval before preparing the residential tenancies documentation for signing.
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As managing agents of your property our primary concern is to ensure that the occupancy transition is accurately and efficiently co-ordinated. Our team is fully conversant in all related legal matters such as the Residential Tenancy Agreement and Rental Bond lodgement, ensuring your rights and obligations as landlord are met and fully protected.
Inspections
Upon taking management of your property our team will conduct a thorough condition report prior to tenancy occupation to protect your investment and to comply with Sissons company policy. If so instructed, a compilation of photographic records can be made and used as reference during the tenancy period.
- Initial Inspection – The initial inspection report and accompanied data is primarily used as an end of tenancy reference to guarantee fair and accurate rental bond distribution.
- Routine Inspection – 3 monthly inspections of your property are followed with a detailed report outlining the condition of your investment, focusing on maintenance prevention by identifying areas where action may be needed to avoid costly repairs further down the track.
- Pre-exit Inspection – Our pre-exit inspection allows for us to re-evaluate the rental value of your investment and ensures suitable access and inspection times can be arranged with the terminating tenants. This opportunity gives you time to consider any necessary renovation or maintenance needs and can allow for them to be taken place prior to new tenancy.
- Final Inspection – The Sissons property management team will conduct a comprehensive final inspection to determine the accurate rental bond refund and to ensure that your rights as landlord are clearly secured.
Accountability
To ensure you are kept up to date on the state of your investment, Sissons estate agents will provide you with a detailed monthly statement outlining the previous rent period, collected rent and any transactions made such as repairs or outgoings.
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At the end of each financial year we will prepare a detailed annual statement of income expenditure for your property. This service is provided free of charge and will assist you in your record keeping for taxation purposes.
Contact Us
We understand that your property management needs may differ from others. You may wish to have as little or as much involvement in the management of you property as you like, it is your choice. Sissons’ property management team makes this possible by being contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (After hours by message service)
- For us, personal service is a priority. All our members are trained to assist with your property, regardless of their position. Our fully computerised department allows for any member to access our database to assist in your enquiry. This system allows for in the event of your normal contact person being away from the office, you can be assisted both efficiently and effectively.
Rent Collection
Sissons’ give tenants no excuse for late rent. We expect nothing less than prompt, regular payments.
The wide range of payment methods made available to tenants include:
- Direct Deposit
- Direct Debit
- Electronic Funds Transfer
As an office policy, we do not accept personal cheques.
Monitoring Arrears
Failure to pay rent is an unfortunate possibility that cannot be guaranteed against. The keys to reducing these incidents are through careful selection of tenants and strict arrears control. Sissons uses both these tools to minimise the chance of loss to the landlord by instilling proven systems backed by newly developed Information technology.
- Tenants that fall into arrears are contacted by our team every day for the first five days. If payment has not been received by this time, an initial warning letter will be issued to the tenants.
- Failing this, tenants will continue to be contacted on a daily basis and will be issued the appropriate forms regulated by the Residential Tenancies Authority. We will inform you of our progress and forward you a copy of all correspondence we have with the tenants.
- If the situation cannot be remedied, a Notice to Leave will be issued, with your approval and in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1994. Investors can rest assured that our team will not hesitate to protect your rights and serve your interests.
Protecting Your Investment
Preventative maintenance is a procedure that can often lead to savings rather than leaving unattended repairs to eventually eat into your annual return. Sissons’ property management team understands how important it is to remain on top of all issues relating to maintenance.
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Endorsing strong, lasting relationships with our tenants ensures open communication lines and enables all maintenance repairs to be fulfilled to your instruction with minimal fuss. All contractors used on your property are suitably qualified and licensed. In the case of a household emergency, you have every right to expect that all repairers and essential services be notified immediately. Our service allows for this quick, decisive action.
- All our maintenance tasks are recorded, and repairs are debited from rent monies held in Trust. All relevant invoices are included in your regular rental statements for future reference.
Maximising Your Return
Getting the most from your rental investment is often found by combining stable, consistent occupancy whilst achieving the highest rent for your property.
- To help you to achieve optimum returns, our team understands the dynamics of and constantly monitors the market fluctuations and values. We will provide for you a six monthly rental review. This takes into account similar properties in your area, the general condition and property maintenance of your investment and local vacancy rates.
- We will first discuss with you the quality of the tenant and the length of tenancy agreement before suggesting a justified rental increase.
Disputes
Disputes can and do arise over rental increases, maintenance costs and the dispersal of rental bond. This is an unavoidable area of the property management industry, but can be combated with the preventative approach of lasting, honest relationship building with our tenants. Strong communication skills and open dialogue throughout the entire rental period can minimise this aspect.
- If a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, Sissons’ property management team will immediately act to ensure that your case is fully documented before proceeding to tribunal hearings.
Training and Affiliation
Sissons estate agents are a member of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. Our specialist property management team constantly remains updated with the latest market and legal information supplied by the REIQ and Residential Tenancies Authority. We are committed to maintaining our success with extensive market research, technical knowledge, innovative marketing plans and on-going training.
Sissons estate agents property management team provides a comprehensive range of quality services to assist you in reaching your financial goals, and endeavour to take the stress away from owning an investment property.