Mutual agreements can allow tenants to make necessary home modifications while protecting owners’ investments, peak body says
Real Estate Institute of Australia president Hayden Groves is encouraging tenants to seek "mutual agreements" with property managers when they require changes to a property.
Groves said that long-term renting can be a sensible choice for many Australians, offering flexibility and freedom as living needs change, as opposed to buying a home.
“Thirty per cent of Australians rent the home they live in. However, there are times when a tenant may require modifications such as mild renovations for cooling or heating systems, and it can be difficult to make desired amendments to suit your needs,” Groves said. “Regardless of the state or territory where you live, all Australian tenancy legislation allows for tenants, property managers and property owners to negotiate a ‘mutual agreement’. Mutual agreements are a great way for tenants to make home modifications, and to provide surety to property owners that their investment is protected.”
As summer approaches, homes without efficient cooling systems can become uncomfortable, Groves said. Therefore, mutual agreements to enhance the ambient environment of a tenant's home are a sensible option, as they can also increase a property's value.
“Communicating effectively and taking a positive and respectful approach goes a long way to achieving a successful negotiation that benefits tenants, property managers and property owners,” he said.
Groves suggested that tenants develop a proposal outlining their specific requests before contacting their property manager, ensuring clarity when discussing their ideas.
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Paul Tommasini, CEO of the Tenancy Skills Institute, supported REIA's efforts to promote effective communication between tenants and property managers, allowing for mutually beneficial modifications to enhance the living environment.
“Sustainable tenancies start with tenants understanding the key tenets of effective communication with their property manager, and knowing their rights and responsibilities,” Tommasini said. “When planning underpins the tenants’ efforts in seeking modifications, tenants can work with their property manager to achieve an end result that is a win-win for all parties, including the property owner.”
Tenants continue to face a brutal rental market, with the national vacancy rate holding at a record low of 0.8% last month, with rents surging in major cities as listings dropped.
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