Wouldn’t it be handy to have real estate management specialists on hand to help answer difficult questions? Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, having access to the experts is invaluable. When you’re new to renting, or to investing, there’s a minefield of information to wade through. Guidance is often needed in order to deal with vital issues. Even the basics, such as: who pays for a telephone connection?
There is great news. Rental property management Brisbane specialists, Position One Property, have already done the work for you. We know how to break down complicated situations in order to find the best solutions for everyone involved. To start you off, we’ll look at the responsibilities involved for both tenants and landlords with regard to phone connections.
RTA Guidelines
In terms of the basic rules, a landlord isn’t required to provide telephone, television and internet connections within the premises. However, when there are existing phone sockets, a landlord is required to ensure they’re in a reasonable condition. Generally, the tenant then agrees to arrange for the connection and pay for the service. If the property is individually metered, a tenant can’t be charged more than the amount charged by the supplier and laws are in place to safeguard rights. So, that’s a brief rundown of the guidelines, however it’s not a black and white situation and opinions can differ. A real estate management specialist can help to diffuse opposing opinions between landlords and tenants, by dealing with the individual scenarios that may occur. This, in turn, ensures clear communication is maintained and the responsibilities of both parties are understood and documented.
Responsibilities of Tenants
First of all, it’s the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that everything they require in a property is provided, prior to signing a lease. Upon inspection, tenants should check for phone sockets and enquire about connections, so there’s no confusion as to what is included.
For example, if there are no phone sockets installed and it’s not stated that they’re included, the landlord is not obliged to pay for them. Therefore, a tenant may have to pay for the installation, if the service is required.
If this is the case, tenants need to contact their rental property management Brisbane specialist, in order to gain approval to make alterations to the property. It’s very important that tenants wait for the ‘go-ahead’, or approval, before commencing installations or repairs. This will avoid the possibility of losing part of their bond, or breaking lease agreements in doing so.
This also applies if tenants wish to improve previously installed services, in the way of extra phone points for convenience or increased internet reception. In this case, the landlord may or may not approve, however the expense would generally be the tenant’s responsibility.
To avoid any misunderstandings, it’s always best for tenants to note, on the condition report, that phone sockets don’t work. This is also the time to note if extra facilities are required. This way, before commencing the tenancy, negotiations can take place as to the terms of having them fixed or included.
Responsibility of Landlords
For landlords, it makes sense to ensure a line connection is supplied for tenants. This increases the property’s appeal as it’s a primary necessity for most potential rental candidates. However, upon connecting the line, the tenant should then pay for the connection and the services used for the duration of the lease. Above all, these agreements need to be stated clearly prior to the rental agreement.
If, for example, a tenant has signed a lease on a property with a phone socket, but upon moving in discovers there isn’t a working landline, generally the landlord will need to provide one. The exception to this is if an exclusion was specified in the tenancy agreement. If this were the case it would have been made known to the tenant prior to signing.
How Real Estate Management Specialists Can Help
One of the ways a real estate management specialist – such as Position One Property – helps is to provide a buffer between the landlord and the tenant. Not only a buffer, but one that lends expertise to both parties in order to deal with any complications.
With current knowledge of rental laws and the rights of both landlords and tenants, we’re able to arrange agreements to suit everyone involved. This applies before, during and at the conclusion of tenancy agreements.
There is an incredible amount of paperwork involved with property management. Rules, regulations, contracts and specific agreements, are just a few of the basics. Leaving your investment property in the hands of a seasoned professional ensures every detail is covered. This is especially important in the initial stages of a property management. Starting from the beginning, we’re able to pinpoint specific requirements from the outset, which saves time and money. If there’s any chance of having disagreements in the long run, they’re most likely to be identified at this stage.
In terms of coordinating and managing repairs and installations, a property manager liaises between both parties. This helps to ensure the process is easy and professional. This cuts out any unnecessary misunderstandings, which can occur from lack of understanding or knowledge of the applicable laws.
One thing you can be sure of is that real estate management specialists cater to both landlords and tenants. This is to ensure all parties enjoy a smooth and successful rental journey.