Residential



	Residential

	Keeping your cool around pools (Journal November 2007)
	Some property managers consider properties with pools to be risky and difficult. But while they can create challenges, when correctly managed they can be a real asset rather than a real pain.

	Filling out condition reports (Journal July 2007)
	Many property managers are still failing to fill out condition reports correctly with enough detailed information.

	Mould (Journal May 2007)
	Mould is a common problem, especially in older houses and units, but can be a legal nightmare for landlords and property managers. The following is a guide on mould prevention and treatment.

	Water usage in tenancies (Journal June 2007)
	Water is becoming a hot topic as droughts continue and dam levels continue to fall. In the property management industry, water is also a common area of confusion.

	Managing the property managers (Journal March 2007)
	Sandy Hodgkins knows how difficult property management can be. But she also understands how much it helps to have regular skills training – and a good laugh.

	Swimming pools (Journal March 2007)
	Property management experts Miles Felstead and Michelle McLean suggest using professional contractors to clean swimming pools, rather than relying on the tenant to do so.

	Death of a tenant (Journal March 2007)
	Property managers often have to deal with difficult situations as part of their day to day work, but coping with the death of a tenant is particularly distressing.

	Dealing with difficult people (Journal March 2007)
	Property managers are often confronted by unhappy landlords and disgruntled tenants.

	Pest practice (Journal December 2006)
	NSW property managers will soon have to give five days notice before pesticides are used in the common areas of multiple occupancy residential complexes.

	Smoke alarms (Journal December 2006)
	The deadline has passed … after a six-month grace period, smoke alarm installation is now compulsory.

	Common claims (Journal November 2006)
	Expert real estate lawyer Torquil Murray explains the emerging claims trends and offers some tips on how to avoid mistakes.

	Pesticide use - new laws (REINSW Practice Notes, October 2006)
	REINSW Practice Notes on the new laws affecting pesticide use introduced for 1 February 2007.

	Residential tenancy databases (Journal October 2006)
	Residential tenancy databases enable property managers to easily check whether a prospective tenant has been ‘red flagged’ for actions such as failing to pay the rent, damaging a property or defaulting on a lease. But what about the privacy of tenants? How long do tenants remain on the databases? And what’s the criteria for adding someone?

	Receipts (Journal June 2006)
	The question of whether agents have to print out original trust receipts has now been clarified. Agents no longer have to keep hard copies of original trust receipts, as long as you can reprint the receipt from an electronic copy. Tim McKibbin, REINSW Legal Counsel, explains.

	Land tax in Australia (Journal June 2006)
	Anyone who has ever struggled to understand their land tax bill knows just how complicated the land valuation system can be.

	Panel forum: property management (Journal June 2006)
	Panel member, Miles Felstead, discusses the potential for landlords to claim rent from a tenant after a lease has been terminated.

	Avoid a cat fight - know the strata rules on pets (Journal May 2006)
	Being aware of the by-laws governing pets in a strata scheme could stop the fur from flying in disputes between purchasers, vendors, tenants, landords, agents and owners' corporations, say Torquil Murray and Melissa Younan of TressCox Lawyers.

	A tale of two fibres – the truth about asbestos (Journal June 2005)
	Because one-third of all homes built in Australia contain some asbestos, if you work in residential sales, it’s more than likely you will have sold a home that contains asbestos building material, says David Lawrence.

	Managing agents need to review service contracts (Journal April 2005)
	The following case illustrates the need for real estate agents to maintain adequate service and repair contracts with qualified third party repairers, as Torquil Murray explains.

	Anti-discrimination requirements for property management (Journal December 2004)
	Anti-discrimination laws are often overlooked in the property management department. But beware: it is an issue that is taken seriously by the Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB), which can have serious consequences if complaints are made, as Debbie Palmer explains.

	Anti-discrimination requirements for property management (Journal December 2004)
	Anti-discrimination laws are often overlooked in the property management department. But beware: it is an issue that is taken seriously by the Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB), which can have serious consequences if complaints are made, as Debbie Palmer explains.

	Avoiding personal injury claims (Journal April 2006)
	In mounting a successful defence to a personal injury claim, the importance of good record keeping, a reliable insurer and adequate coverage cannot be overstated.

	Smoke Alarms - (Journal April 2006)
	REINSW Legal Counsel, Tim McKibbin, makes some sense of the new smoke alarm regime that is making agents hot under the collar.

	Building Legislation Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Act 2005
	Tim McKibbin, REINSW Legal Counsel, and Adam Murphy, REINSW Research Officer, provide an explanation of the new State Government legislation on smoke alarms.

	Protecting your professionalism (Journal December 2005)
	Managing a property in today’s social and business climate involves more than just simply collecting the rent, as Paul D’Arcy explains.

	Real estate death raises the OHS alarm (Journal December 2005)
	The recent murder of a real estate salesperson in Victoria while showing a property has once again highlighted the need for employers to be pro-active in matters of occupational health and safety.

	Fight Club (Journal December 2005)
	Is an agent liable for vandalism to a managed property? Torq Murray examines a recent case.

	Understanding investment property deductions (Journal December 2005)
	Repairs and improvements can be a tax deduction minefield in investment property. The Tax Office provides the following useful guidance to clarify some issues which often cause confusion.

	Slip and fall – a personal injury claim (Journal October 2005)
	An accident involving a tenant can be a disaster for everyone involved, but the following case demonstrates how a rapid response from the insurer and agent can minimise the inconvenience for all parties, as Torq Murray explains.

	Are your repairs improvements? (Journal September 2005)
	When it comes to claiming tax deductions for investment properties, the distinction between a repair and a renovation is important.

	Residential Tenancy Law Reform Options Paper (Journal August 2005)
	On 7 July 2005 the NSW Office of Fair Trading released the Residential Tenancy Law Reform Options Pater. Adam Murphy gives an overview of the suggested reforms.

	Rental property deductions for investment property (Journal July 2005)
	With the end of the financial year just around the corner, the following information from the ATO may assist property managers who are receiving enquiries about eligible tax deductions for investment properties.

	Early resolution of professional negligence claims (Journal November 2004)
	If there’s an opportunity to address problems at an early stage in a claim process, then there are significant prospects for resolving those problems before they become bogged down in legal process, write Torquil Murray and Robyn Berwick.

	Fulfilling your duty of care (Journal October 2004)
	Property managers can avoid legal and professional liability claims by putting in place measures to ensure they have fulfilled their duty of care to landlords. While simple to implement and maintain, these initiatives could make all the difference to the survival of your business in the event of a legal claim by either a tenant or landlord, as Terri Scheer explains.

	New tenant database laws (Journal September 2004)
	New tenant database laws commenced on 15 September 2004. Nancy Taco and Kay Blance examine how these laws will affect the listing of tenants on these databases.

	Asbestos: the silent killer (Journal July 2004)
	Real estate agents are being encouraged to inform homeowners and tenants about the risks of exposure to asbestos. It might just save somebody’s life.

	A property manager saved my life! (Journal June 2004)
	Property managers across Australia are being asked to keep an eye out for hidden dangers found around the home. It could save a life, writes Chris Rodley.

	Tips from the experts: property inspections (Journal May 2004)
	The new ‘Tips from the experts’ series in the Journal offers you systems and strategies to work smarter, not harder. In the first instalment, REINSW trainer Robyn Pedruco offers property managers tips for conducting smarter inspections of rental homes.

	Estimated Selling Price: What you need to know (Journal April 2004)
	The Office of Fair Trading recently issued guidelines on the estimated selling price provisions contained in the new Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002. It's essential for all salespeople to familiarize themselves with the new rules, write Kay Blance and Silvana Ferraro.

	Property Styling: luxury or necessity? (Journal April 2004)
	In a competitive market, styling homes to increase their sale price has become increasingly popular, writes Jeremy Byrne.

	Stepping into the minefield: security of payment invoices (Journal March 2004)
	Property managers and others responsible for building and maintenance work should tread carefully when it comes to ‘security of payment’ invoices, writes Robert Riddell.

	Tips for Keeping Residential Property Secure (Journal February 2004)
	If you’re managing investment properties, it’s important to understand how you can make homes as safe and secure as possible. Daniel Sheehy, from NSW Police, offers some simple ways for managing agents, homeowners and tenants to improve household security.

	Duty of Care: A Property Manager’s Responsibility (Journal February 2004)
	It’s sad but true that in today’s society people will go to court over just about any issue. Terri Scheer examines how property managers can protect themselves.

	Tax breaks on rental properties (Journal December 2003)
	Many owners of investment properties are not aware of the significant tax deductions they are allowed to claim for depreciating assets. As Adrian Herbert writes, it’s important for property managers to be well-informed so that they can remind their clients of the potential tax breaks available to them.

	The property manager and the priceless painting (Journal December 2003)
	A priceless work of art is stolen from a North Shore mansion – and it looks like the property manager is to blame. But all is not as it seems, as Torq Murray explains in this cautionary tale for property managers.

	Personal injury: are you protected? (Journal November 2003)
	Managing agents should ensure they are protected against costly personal injury claims, writes John Hill.

	The Process of Tenant Selection (Journal October 2003)
	One of the most important duties of a property manager is to reference check a prospective tenant’s application, writes Megan Clowes.

	Playing by the Rules: New Rules of Conduct for Salespeople and Property Management (Journal September 2003)
	On 1 September 2003, as part of the package of reforms introduced by the new Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002, new Rules of Conduct came into force for NSW real estate agents and their employees, writes Kay Blance, REINSW Legal Counsel.

	How to get the most from your Property Manager (Journal September 2003)
	When recruiting staff it is important to clearly document their roles, responsibilities and obligations to the department, prior to the commencement of their employment, writes Debbie Palmer.

	Get Ready! New Requirements for Agency Agreements (Journal August 2003)
	On 1 September, the new Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 (‘the Act’) and Regulation 2003 come into effect. Kay Blance, REINSW Legal Counsel, investigates some of the new requirements for agency agreements.

	Property Management Systems – why have them? (Journal July 2003)
	Systems within the Property Management Department are implemented to outline how you carry out your business activities associated with ‘best practices’ and includes documentation, processes and the resources you use to achieve your ‘best practices’. They are developed to meet your customers’ (tenants) and clients’ (lessors) requirements, writes Debbie Palmer.

	Using Experts to Educate Landlords (Journal July 2003)
	Property Managers invariably have a large number of properties on their rent roll. In extreme cases, they number in the thousands, writes Torq Murray.

	Landlord’s Duty to Mitigate Loss Where a Tenant Abandons Residential Premises (Journal June 2003)
	Unfortunately landlords are sometimes placed in a position where a tenant breaches a residential tenancy agreement by vacating the premises before the term has expired, write Alix Parnell and Leneen Forde.

	Becoming a value-added property manager (Journal May 2003)
	Property management is not just managing a rent roll. You need to work diligently at maintaining your current portfolio while simultaneously increasing your rent roll. You must master the art of developing relationships and promoting your services, writes Debbie Palmer.

	Negligence Claims: are you covered? (Journal May 2003)
	Torq Murray examines a recent case that demonstrates how important it is for real estate agents to protect themselves against negligence claims.

	Clandestine Drug Manufacturing (Journal April 2003)
	Clandestine Drug Manufacturing: the damage it causes to property and what property managers should look out for

	Legal Liability: Risk Management Issues for Property Managers (Journal March 2003)
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