October, 2017

Property managers lease and manage an apartment or house on behalf of landlords. The property manager’s duties include selecting tenants, collecting rent, arranging repairs, negotiating leases and rent reviews and so on.

When a tenant finds a suitable property to rent, they must contact the property manager to arrange a viewing. The property manager will be best placed to answer questions about the property and start the application process.

As part of the application process, the property manager will host an ‘open house’, which is an opportunity for prospective tenants to examine the property. For what it’s worth, it’s best for tenants to treat a meeting with a property manager like a job interview. This means wearing smart casual attire and clean shoes, rather than shorts and thongs.

Property managers may take multiple application for a property. Hence, expats must be sure to submit the correct information to give their application a winning chance. Typical applications require:

• Proof of identity (passport and drivers license)
• Proof of income, bank statements for the last three months
• References from employers, university lecturers, school teachers, a family doctor or solicitor – and especially past property managers or landlords – are essential.

Once your references have been checked by the property manager, your application will be presented to the landlord for approval.

If you win the landlords approval, you’ll be required to pay a bond upfront, which is normally equivalent to a month’s rent. The bond is used as financial protection for the landlord in case a tenant breaks the terms of the lease agreement, damages the property and so on. Your Raine & Horne property manager can explain bond terms to you in more detail.

As the tenant is bound to the bond, be sure to inspect the rental property for damage before moving in. If there is some damage, bring it to the attention of the property manager. If it’s a furnished rental property, an inventory list should be written up. At the end of your lease, the cost of any items lost or damaged will be deducted from the bond.

Finally, ask your property manager about Raine & Horne Assist.  This free service takes the hassle and stress out of moving into a rental property, by offering you all your utility needs such as electricity and gas connections in one place.