How Do You Bring Change to Property Management/Real Estate Agency Business?

chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 11:50

The last couple of my posts have been related to renting the house and dealing with rogue property managers. Each time I change my rental house, I need to deal with these property managers.

The latest has been that the PM from the existing property is already creating a lot of noise about how the house should be spick and span and how long electricity should be connected to take his own time to inspect the property. Yes, there are rights, but they still bully people around.

In the new property, I am working on getting an electricity connection. The electric company wants me to ensure that the main power is switched off; they also want to verify some meter numbers. As I reached out to the new PM, she said she couldn't help with these things. She would give the keys the night before the lease starts, and I can verify the electricity number or the power status. I mentioned we have a baby, and I wanted to ensure electricity before we move in. The night before, trying to verify gives me a short runway, won't help. But she threw a few rules and said she didn't care.

To date, I haven't come across a PM with whom one can have some decent and respectful conversation. It is high time we bring some change to this industry. How could one bring change? Is there a way to initiate a Royal Commission?

I know we have 80% of the Aussie population who own houses, and they give a hoot about renters. But the situation is not suitable for minority renters here.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 14/01/2022 - 11:54
    +11

    initiate a Royal Commission?

    That's a bloody outrage it is - have you tried taking it all the way to the Prime Minister? OIIIII MR PRIMEEEE MINISTEERRRRRR

    Serious answer though: I do not believe a dependable REA/manager exists. They exist only to sponge off the ridiculousness that is the property market (especially in current climate).

    • Hardlyworkin on 14/01/2022 - 17:33

      I agree. I've found that there are some good smaller agencies or small town agencies with great agents. My last 2 were really good, took me by surprise of how helpful they were from the first day to the last.

  • TheBilly on 14/01/2022 - 11:54
    +5

    said she didn't care.

    She said "she didn't care" or you implied that from her behavior?

    If you can't beat them join them. There are many suburbs and states where you can purchase a house between $250k and $350k which is affordable for most single income earners and very affordable for dual income earners. Buy a house.

    Edit:

    How could one bring change? Is there a way to initiate a Royal Commission?

    I don't think people really care. Gladys was ousted due to corruption charges and people were crying about how hard done by she was. That's our populace.

    • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 13:26

      She didn't use the word "she didn't care". Nowadays, people are cautious in emails. However, inspite of pleading my circumstance with the baby and all, she kept throwing the rule book and saying, they can't do much about personal circumstances.

      I am unsure if there are houses available even now at 250 or 350K

      • TheBilly on 14/01/2022 - 14:00
        -5

        Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin all have houses on blocks of land for $250k to $350k. If you really want a house you will find a way to match your circumstances.

        • Jolakot on 14/01/2022 - 15:18
          +1

          Can you post a few in Melbourne that aren't 30km+ from the CBD? All that I can find are micro-studios

          • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2022 - 15:43

            @Jolakot: There aren't any

    • orangetrain on 14/01/2022 - 13:29
      +9

      Where is there a house for 250k-350k for a family? In the desert, far from CBD and jobs?

      • pegaxs on 14/01/2022 - 13:56
        +3

        That's what I was wondering. I live 2 hours out of Sydney and there are no $350k houses here. My friend lives an hour's drive into the Hunter valley, about 3+hours from Sydney, in a small backwards hick town and still couldn't find a decent house for under $500k.

        • TheBilly on 14/01/2022 - 14:01
          -3

          There is no $350k houses in and around Sydney but most other state capitals do.

          • pharkurnell on 14/01/2022 - 20:09

            @TheBilly: You wouldnt get a 1 room portaloo for 350k in shitney!

            FFS a parking spots are listed for 500k recently….

            Car spots listed for up to $525,000 as Covid outbreak pushes Sydney parking crisis to new levels
            Parking spots in parts of Sydney have been selling for higher prices than some houses amid a bizarre parking crisis that’s been pushed to new heights by the pandemic.

            • TheBilly on 15/01/2022 - 22:31

              @pharkurnell: Yes so move to another state where there is a $350k house and stop complaining. You can’t have everything you have to sacrifice something and that is location.

              • pharkurnell on 16/01/2022 - 00:09

                @TheBilly: True….sacrifice money.
                move to somewhere with less work options which is why so many of those places are cheap - no work.

                • TheBilly on 16/01/2022 - 17:06

                  @pharkurnell: It’s all just excuse making until we can delve into your circumstances. But there is a solution for the majority of people. You just need to want to do it.

      • pharkurnell on 14/01/2022 - 13:57
        +3

        In the desert, far from CBD

        Sounds magic to me.

        • orangetrain on 14/01/2022 - 15:28
          +2

          So magical, you will have visions of the rainbow serpent and the only vandals are those hand prints on walls from thousands of years ago.

          • pharkurnell on 14/01/2022 - 20:15
            +1

            @orangetrain: Stop it… your gettin me excited.
            anywhere away from million arrogant people walking around brain dead stuck to their mobile phones incase they miss something to be offended by….

        • Noblejoker on 15/01/2022 - 11:44

          I know someone who bought a 3 bed, 1 bath 1 garage with a/c in Broken Hill for $142K
          House is mostly original 60's - it is fibro and ugly and needs some maintenance but on 840m2 in town
          Put a flat pack kitchen, small bathroom upgrade, new carpet and some paint might be $30K
          Settles next week and current rent pays the whole mortgage - she will get more rent after upgrade

          If you could FIFO or WFH imagine paying the mortgage on that instead of rent
          $175K is literally the deposit for the same modest house in Sydney or many parts of the country

      • TheBilly on 14/01/2022 - 13:59
        -4

        Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin all have houses on blocks of land for $250k to $350k. Stop whinging poor, either get rich or adjust your requirements and find a new job where the $250k houses are.

        • orangetrain on 14/01/2022 - 15:24

          I looked at Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth but all the 3 bdr require minimum 1 hour public transport to city? Not many jobs in Darwin but I'm sure it's cheap.

          I guess my requirements to spend less than 2 hour commute per day is a rich fantasy for a parent that wants to spend time with kids while there's daylight?

          • TheBilly on 15/01/2022 - 22:34

            @orangetrain: So you can’t find a job that’s not in the city. I’ve seen people work jobs all over a city not just in the CBD. Stop whinging and do something about your circumstances because nobody else is going to do it for you.

        • Hardlyworkin on 14/01/2022 - 17:28
          +1

          Smoking too many billys I think.

      • fishing on 15/01/2022 - 08:32
        +1

        My god!! Move to the Pilbara… That's desert… Getting a mining job, or a job that supports the mining industry like cleaning or cooking and make a fortune… Pays look average until the tax benefits and free housing kicks in… And mines will also feed you

        Look in Newman for cheap housing

        Nothing is cheap to rent but to buy is good pricing

  • netjock on 14/01/2022 - 12:16
    +3

    Unfortunately you might be a nice person. But the other 19% of people you are renting with probably done something under hand.

    Owning my own house, have rental properties and renting out my former home overseas. I'd say from property owners point of view some people are either overstretched financials therefore push their tenants and too lazy.

    My property half way around the world the tenant rents it direct from me and I've known them a few years prior to them renting. They matched with cheapest rate in the local area (got email alerts to my inbox of what's come up for rental in the area weekly). They'll probably not move unless they really have to because they run a small business just down the road.

    Funny enough the ones here are managed by local agents. Sometimes bickering over $20pw difference is like $1k a year but if you end up with 2 weeks vacancy then it is pretty much there. If you're greedy enough you'll probably end up with 4 weeks vacancy and go backwards. Generally when it does become vacant I ask them to match the lowest rate or whatever they give -$10 pw because saving a week or two vacancy gets me there and people won't move unless they have to.

    Some people have no business investing in property. Just because you get offered a loan doesn't mean you should take it.

    • Jolakot on 14/01/2022 - 15:23

      Should absolutely be required to do a course before being allowed to rent out property, we have more checks and balances for someone adopting a shelter dog than someone being in total control of someone else's shelter

      So much petty greed, we offered $620 a week for a $650 a week place last year during the downturn, given that it was equivalent to other similar rentals in the area. We were given an incredulous no by the PM, and 2 months later it was still vacant and listed for $600…

  • bmxr on 14/01/2022 - 12:19
    +5

    Setting aside the whole real estate agent property manager bottom of the barrel discussion…

    Have you moved in to a new place without being signed up to an electricity provider?

    All of the places we have moved in to (6 in total) in NSW, the electricity (and water and gas) have all still been connected and running and we just contacted the utility provider after we had moved in and backdated the connection.

    I don't think you'll have an issue, but maybe it's different in other states (I don't know why?)

    • Master Bates on 14/01/2022 - 12:54
      +4

      ^ This, electricity, water, gas will not be disconnected.

      OP also make sure you take date-stamped photos of the meter reading when you move in. You shouldn't have to pay for the discrepancy between when the previous tenants moved out and you move in.

      Your new provider should do a meter read anyway, which is why there are sometimes charges in setting up a new provider in some instances.

      • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 13:07

        That is a good tip. I will do this.

    • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 13:11

      I am in VIC. I haven't moved in. I called the Elec to disconnect on a specific date from my current address, and have the connection up and running in the new place on a specific date. They said, I need two things, one to ensure the meter numbers needs to be compared and validated between the one in their record and one on the premise. Second, connection will work only if the main switch is turned off by the earlier tenant. So, I can do this if I am physically present as the PMs are not willing to do any of these things.

      • ms_caz on 14/01/2022 - 17:45
        +1

        I had to have electricity connected at a property last week. I called them up and spent maybe 20 mins n the phone. I was able to turn off the mains, since I was actually at the property. They said it might take 24 hours but was connected within the hour. It's probably nowhere near as big an issue as your are thinking.

  • GG57 on 14/01/2022 - 12:59
    -3

    Be the change

    Seriously, if you think you would do a better job, for both renters and landlords, get a PM job and go for it.

    • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 13:54

      Not saying they should do a better job. I am expecting them to do their job.

      • GG57 on 14/01/2022 - 13:55

        They probably are doing a satisfactory job, considering that their income is from the landlord.

        BTW, you asked "How could one bring change?".

        • Jolakot on 14/01/2022 - 15:25

          No, their income is from the tenant, given it's usually a % of rental income

          You wouldn't say a business is the one paying a 2% credit card surcharge would you?

          • GG57 on 14/01/2022 - 15:35
            +1

            @Jolakot: If they don't keep the landlord happy, they don't have a property to manage to earn income.

            • Jolakot on 14/01/2022 - 15:48

              @GG57: Yes, and if Square doesn't keep the merchant happy, then they also won't have any payments to charge a transaction fee on

              Property management fees are by definition a transaction fee, the tenant literally sends money to them and they then forward it to the landlord minus their % fee: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/transaction-fees.asp

              • miwahni on 15/01/2022 - 01:09
                +3

                @Jolakot: I think the point being made is that the tenant doesn't get to choose the property manager, the landlord does.

                • Jolakot on 16/01/2022 - 20:02
                  -1

                  @miwahni: Yeah, and the customer doesn't get to choose the card processor that the merchant uses, but they're still the one paying for the fee aren't they?

                  The whole idea that the agent is paid by, and therefore works for, the landlord is a significant part why Australian real estate agents suck

  • pharkurnell on 14/01/2022 - 13:54
    +1

    Is there a way to initiate a Royal Commission?

    hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  • brendanm on 14/01/2022 - 13:59
    -1

    how long electricity should be connected to take his own time to inspect the property

    You do not have to keep electricity on for them. Cancel it, and read up on your rights.

    • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 14:57

      Where can I find this info so that I can tell them. The PM read it out as though it was the requirement.

      • brendanm on 14/01/2022 - 15:04
        +1

        Tenancy law for your state. Also call your states tenancy advocates.

        The PM read it out as though it was the requirement.

        This is what they do. I'm not sure whether they don't know the rules themselves, or they deliberately lie to people.

  • bobbified on 14/01/2022 - 15:05
    +1

    Each time I change my rental house, I need to deal with these property managers.

    The easiest way to not deal with them? Buy your own place (or if you already have one, kick out the tenants and move back in yourself). It's pretty good to not have to deal with inspections, etc.

    • chrismatt on 14/01/2022 - 16:05
      +1

      I agree. That's something I need to do. Buy a house.

  • raptormesh on 14/01/2022 - 17:30
    +1

    I mean they wouldn't go into real estate if they actually cared about things or want to do work.

  • BreezyPalms on 15/01/2022 - 07:55

    Every property I ever rented I have had to manage electricity connection / disconnection. The property manager is probably declining to do it as they are not paid for that service.

    Have you considered offering to pay for the property manager’s time to run your errands? It’s not their fault you have a baby and can’t do it.

    Edit: re reading the original post it seems OP just needs to insist on viewing the meter earlier for the purpose of arranging electricity. Just be insistent with the property manager. Alternatively if it is an old house, the meter box is usually on the side of the house - perhaps you can view it without getting keys?

  • ColtNoir on 15/01/2022 - 09:57

    I do think there should be stricter rules, with less wiggle room in NSW, much like VIC has introduced. There is far too much dodgeyness during the application stage with some Re’s. What do you expect from someone earning 50k plus a car allowance? I know I’m not going above and beyond for that coin.

  • Boshait on 15/01/2022 - 15:52
    +1

    Electricity accounts are always the tenant's business. You contact the electricity company before you move in. In most cases the electricity will already be connected unless it has been vacant for some time.

  • mini2 on 15/01/2022 - 23:37
    +2

    Don't forget, property managers (lol) are the shit kickers in terms of the hierarchy, my experience dealing with them as a landlord has been less than optimal, to say the least and it's a consistent experience across multiple states and pricepoint. The majority of them really don't want that job other than being the pre-requisite if they want to progress further up the food chain. Remember - they don't work for you or the landlord, they're out there for themselves only.

    • chrismatt on 16/01/2022 - 09:52

      True. How can we bring change? Is this something that mere-mortals like us can do?

  • WillThisNameDo on 16/01/2022 - 10:50
    +1

    Just here to vent on a PM. Reached out to one who leases a lot in the area we would like to move to. Basically asking if there are any rentals coming up that might suit our needs. He replied “absolutely, (address withheld) will be advertised next week. Rent will be $580pw. I replied fantastic, can I please put an application in. I actually know that house (it’s a cookie cutter home where the design and layout are exactly the same down the street) and it would suit our needs perfectly. Radio silence. Nek minut the house goes up for $670pw and he replied “hey sorry mate, I missed your email. Shoot through your application now and I’ll have a look. W⚓️

    • chrismatt on 16/01/2022 - 15:59

      The entire system is corrupted. Hope some integrity is brought into it.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join