Leasing your home

With fresh eyes and extensive knowledge about prospective tenants, we provide expert presentation and preparation advice. A few simple steps have the power to dramatically improve your property’s presentation and mitigate any concerns in the future. We get first-hand recommendations from the Property Management team here at Ray White Surry Hills.

From the moment that a property goes on the rental market, it needs to look its best. We have a reputation for presenting our properties to a class above the rest in a crowded marketplace. With sound knowledge on what tenants want and need it is our responsibility to impart with you the knowledge to best prepare you to be a property landlord.

When you have decided to put your property on the market it is important that you ensure that the home is presented and delivered to your tenants in the best condition as possible. Spring clean your property from the inside out including walls, windows, skirting boards and every nook and cranny. If you don’t feel like doing the work yourself, we have great relationships with a variety of trusted cleaning companies employed we can co-ordinate on your behalf. Remember the way that you issue the property to your tenant is the way that it will be returned.

Glen Reilly (PROPERTY MANAGER)

Prospective tenants need to imagine living in your property. If you have vacating tenants, or are renting the property with furnishings, decreasing clutter visibly increases the room size and better showcases the space. We accumulate a lot of things moving through life. Many outlive their usefulness (and if we’re being honest, some didn’t have much use to begin with). But we’re human and stuff sticks to us, which is why it’s important we shed some layers every now and then to maintain order and harmony. This in turn will play a vital part in portraying your property in the best light; especially when it comes to photographing you home to list it on the market.

Amber Riethmuller (NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT)

The amount of times that I get calls from new tenants asking questions that I don’t know the answer to can be overwhelming, as each property is different to the next. We need to consider that renting a new home can be a daunting process, especially if your new tenants are relocating from interstate of overseas. Through the myriad of adjustments that they are making in their life a little bit of help can go a long way. To help aid in the transition, a short brief manual could help to mitigate any issues your new tenant may encounter in first few weeks of their tenancy. Do your bins go out on a Wednesday? Do you have a tricky oven to operate? – The best thing you can do is be proactive in your approach to leasing your home; and this is a great way for your tenant to feel more connected to the property, and improve their understanding of how things work.

Mikayla Hartge (LEASING)

The keys you give the tenant should include those to any door, window, garage or letterbox. We only hand over the keys to tenants after all bond and rent in advance has been paid, and all documents have been signed. You cannot charge your tenants a deposit for keys, but may charge for the actual cost of replacing any keys after the tenancy has ceased.

Elizabeth Simpkin (PROPERTY MANAGEMENT)

When the unexpected happens and unplanned financial expenses occur, it can wear heavy on our pocket and our conscience.  As a general rule of thumb, it may be helpful to aim to establish a cash reserve of approximately 4 weeks rental income. There can be unanticipated encumbrances that may delay the leasing of your property or unforseen events that hinder a quick rental transaction. Unfortunately a financial rainy day can happen, but the good news is that we can prepare ourselves and lessen the surprise or financial burden by being proactive and setting aside funds to help up cope with these costs when they arise.

Arden Armstrong (SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER)

When you lease your home you must ensure it is in a reasonable state of repair before anyone moves in, taking into account the age and remaining life of the property and the amount of rent you expect the tenant to pay. The premises being provided in a habitable and reasonable state of cleanliness and repair; complying with building, health and safety laws (such as smoke alarms and pool fencing). Ensure that all any repair of damage caused by a third party or events outside the tenant’s control (such as break-ins, traffic accidents) is seen to, and that there are no signs of pest and vermin on the property. Working in the industry for a number of years we all have indispensable knowledge when it comes to house repairs or renovations. With a multitude of trusted handymen to recommend I am certain that we can assist in coordinating any repairs on your property, prior to the tenancy commencing.

Ruby King (SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER)

Remember that at the end of the day we are all human, and that leasing your home is more than just a transaction. Your house is soon to become your tenant’s new home, and treating them with respect and kindness will only encourage them to look after your biggest asset. Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will be living in your house for the next 6-12 months or more. Our job is to represent you, and your tenant alike and maintain healthy relationships between each party. It’s pivotal that we work together to create an environment where your new tenants can create new memories and feel comfortable in their new surroundings.

Kylie Ziino (NEW BUSINESS & LEASING)