Commercial & Retail Rentals

We will treat your property as if it is our own, taking care of all aspects of managing a tenancy.
We will:

Despite our proactive management approach, issues may arise from time to time.

We highly recommend taking out landlord insurance for peace-of-mind and to ensure those unforeseeable issues doesn’t spiral out of hand.

In most cases landlord insurance is tax deductible. It generally covers the building and fittings as well as situations that may result in loss of rent, rent default and accidental or malicious damage by tenants.

Policies vary from firm to firm and it pays to compare features and prices. Using an insurance broker or comparing policies online through a research agency such as CANSTAR may help.

Aspire agents are always happy to discuss and advise on your insurance needs. If a claim is needed we can manage all aspects required to protect your interests.

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure the property they are letting is safe. This includes complying with obligations concerning smoke alarms, safety switches and internal window coverings. Pools and spas must also be fenced according to strict safety standards and a pool safety certificate must be issued by a licensed pool safety inspector.

Further information about these requirements is available on the Residential Tenancies Authority website.

• Smoke alarms
• Safety switches
• Window coverings
• Pools

As the owner of a rental property, you are responsible for ensuring it is safe and fit to live in.

The tenant is responsible for looking after the property and keeping it clean and free from damage.

Generally when determining who is responsible for paying for repairs, it depends on how the damage was done.

For example, if a tenant or their guest throws something and breaks a window, they are responsible for the repair. But if a window falls out of a frame and breaks due to a structural issue, the owner would be responsible for the repair.

Should your property require any repairs, we will always consult with you before making arrangements for repairs. In the case of a serious emergency repair that requires immediate attention, if we cannot get in touch with you beforehand, you can rest assured that we will manage the situation and keep you updated as soon as possible.

Further information about specific issues that might arise such as mould, damage to drains and gutters, and lawn and garden maintenance, is on the RTA website.

We recommend regular maintenance to keep your property in top condition. Our regular inspection reports will note any items that need attention. It is often easier and less expensive to deal with minor issues, before they turn into major repairs.

The following features are highly sought after by most tenants and can help to increase demand and rental return for your property.

• Security (e.g. security screens, remote garage access, deadlocks)
• Plenty of storage space, both inside and outside
• Well-presented interiors, including paint and flooring
• Air-conditioning
• Dishwasher
• Covered outdoor area
• Low-maintenance yard

We can provide advice on cost-effective ways to incorporate these features into your property.

To attract good tenants, we recommend using quality, hard-wearing materials throughout the property. This includes flooring, window coverings and appliances.

Aspire has considerable expertise in marketing properties to quality tenants. Your property will be marketed through a variety of channels including websites such as realestate.com.au, street signage and promotion to our own database. We can arrange professional photography upon request.

We will personally meet prospective tenants at your property by appointment, and we will contact you after every viewing with recommendations.

We screen prospective tenants against the most rigid selection criteria, to minimise the chances of risk to your investment.

Details on the applicant’s Application Form are checked and verified and we search the applicant’s rental history using a nationwide database of defaulting tenants. The information is then submitted to you for approval.

At the end of a tenancy, we will negotiate a renewal on your behalf and review the rent.

You can pass on full water consumption charges to tenants if:

• the rental premises are individually metered, and
• the rental premises are water efficient, and
• the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.

We can help you manage this on-charge if you arrange for the property’s water rates bills to be sent to us, or if you forward copies of your water rates bill to us.

Further information about the rules around water consumption charges is available on the RTA website.

Many investors benefit from arranging a tax depreciation schedule for their properties. We can refer you to companies that specialise in this area.