FAQ

General

Business hours for enquiries and advice:

Telephone enquiries and appointments 7am until 8pm 7 days per week although if you phone outside of these hours, in all likelihood we will answer, otherwise leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we are able. Email your queries anytime and we will endeavor to respond as soon as possible.  

How do you collect the rent?

Tenants are provided with two options for payment.

a) Direct credit via the internet or telephone.

b) Direct debit from bank.

These options make it quick and easy for tenants to pay rent therefore reducing the problem of arrears.   

How do you check a prospective tenant?

We conduct personal inspections of properties with prospective tenants. To apply for a property, a prospective tenant is required to complete a detailed application form and supply a past tenancy history in addition to employment and personal references. This form is checked thoroughly including TICA (tenancy default database).

What is the average length of tenancy?

It is most common in the rental of residential properties that the tenancies are arranged for fixed periods. i.e. six or twelve months at a time, these being renegotiated at the expiry of each period.

The tenant is responsible for both the property and for the rent for the term of the tenancy agreement.

Landlords

How much do you charge?

Our fees are lower than most other companies in Canberra. We pride ourselves on the level of service given to our clients on every occasion. We think it is wise for a landlord to consider all aspects of property management in coming to a decision to appoint an agent. Fees are only one component, although important and a decision should never be made based on this solely. We invite you to contact our office for us to appraise your property and discuss a management package that suits your requirements.

How do you keep your Management fees so low?

There are a number of reasons we can afford to keep our service fees so reasonably priced.

We are a mobile property management service. We don’t have the overheads of a large office. All of the forms we need for every meeting or service we perform are carried in our car or can be faxed, mailed or emailed to you that day.

Our staff have a financial interest in the company. Both staff members are also Company Directors and so Personal Property Services does not have the usual costs associated with hiring staff. There is also little chance for staff turnover which is a significant concern for many in the real estate industry.

All documentation is created and prepared in-house. We prepare all our own documentation, manage our own website and look for creative, rather than expensive methods to advertise our company. We would rather spend our money reinvesting in the business and concentrating on outstanding client service.

How quickly can you find a tenant for my property?

Once a Management Agreement is signed with our company, we commence marketing your property straight away. Your property is automatically placed on our website and allhomes.com.au. We contact prospective tenants registered on our database. It is important that your property is presented in the best possible condition and at a market rent. This should ensure that the property is leased within a short period of time. Prevailing market conditions will also have an impact on the vacancy period. Simply it is our aim to lease your property at the highest possible rent to the most suitable tenant in the shortest possible time.

Can I determine the rental price for my property?

It is important that you appreciate that it is not the Property Manager or the Valuer that puts a price on your property, but the rental market itself. In most cases, properties rent quickly when they are priced correctly in the beginning. At the end of the day, you are the landlord and we will list your property for the figure you feel is the right price. We all want the best possible tenant with minimal vacancy period and maximum rental return. Please let us know if you would like to further discuss the price or marketing of your property.

Can I choose the tenant?

If you wish to make final selection of the tenant, please inform us when we are preparing your Agency Agreement. However, we have many years experience and are most conscious of the importance of tenant selection in successful property management and have a stringent tenant application process. We reference check every tenant that applies for your property. In most cases we choose the most appropriate tenant for your property, but will consult you before making our final decision.  

How do you handle non-payment of rent?

Our property manager checks their arrears daily and once a tenant is 5 days in arrears, they are contacted by all available means. If payment is still not received after 10 days, the tenant is contacted again and advised that should they not meet their rental commitment, a final notice will be served followed by an application to the Tribunal. Due to selecting good tenants and following these procedures as a rule, we do not experience many problems with non-payment of rent.

What's my property worth for lease?

We are happy to carry out an obligation free written rental appraisal of your property and also provide you with tips on presentation and marketing strategies. This appraisal will contain comparisons of rental properties in the same area.

Another Agent put a much higher rent on my property, how do I know which is accurate?

Personal Property Services will never artificially inflate rent prices just to gain your business. We support our findings with evidence gained from the current rental market. We would prefer to rent your property quickly and at the correct price than have it sit on the market for many weeks eventually having to reduce the price. It is often better to have your property rented quickly for a little less than losing rent each week it is unrented.

Will you put a price range on my property to maximise my rent?

We perform a written rental appraisal with evidence (where possible) to support our rental figure. All efforts are made to obtain an accurate figure for you. We will not advertise your property with a price range as we are an ethical organisation for both landlords and tenants and price your property appropriately according to market conditions.

Can you guarantee that the tenant will pay the rent on time & won't damage my property?

Unfortunately, no agent can guarantee that because sometimes something completely unforeseen can go wrong for the tenant e.g. change in employment or marital break-up. The critical keys to reducing the possibility of these incidents occurring are: Careful tenant selection and Strict arrears control. At Personal Property Services we use both to minimise the chances of loss to the landlord. You can as a landlord insure yourself against these occurrences with a special insurance policy.   

Can Personal Property Services pay my property commitments?

Whilst we are prepared to accept instructions to pay your commitments for rates, strata fees etc, unless notices are received when payments are due, we can not be held responsible for non-payment.

Payment of commitments, including mortgage repayments may not be made if funds are not available e.g. if the property is vacant.

Tenants

Do I have to see the property before I can apply?

Yes, you or your representative must view the property before we will accept an application for a property.

How do I apply?

After viewing the property, you can complete an application form obtained either online, at the property or via email.

How do I get the application form to you?

If you complete the form online, it will be forwarded to us automatically. If you take an application form at an open property viewing or via email, you may fax, email or send the form in to us.

Are there any up front charges?

When you sign your Residential Tenancy Agreement, we ask that you pay your first two weeks rent to secure the property. When we hand over the keys for your new home we ask that you pay the bond (usually four weeks rent).

What is a bond?

A bond is a form of security, paid by the tenant to the Agent or the landlord. The Agent (or landlord) then lodges the bond at the Office of Rental Bonds.

How Do I get my bond back?

At the end of the tenancy, please phone us to book a final inspection. We will then complete a condtion report where we note any changes to the condition of the property after comparing this to the condition report at the beginning of the tenancy. If the property is in substantially the same condition (allowing for fair wear and tear) then we complete a bond refund form which you also sign. You can then take the bond refund form to the Office of Rental Bonds and you will receive a cheque immediately.

How often can you inspect the property during my tenancy?

Under the residential Tenancy Act the Agent can inspect the property twice per year. In addition, we have the right to inspect the property within the first month of tenancy and a final inspection in the last month of tenancy before you vacate the property.