If you ignore a problem, chances are it will get bigger. Thankfully, property managers are in the world of fixing, not ignoring.  

When a tenant makes contact about an issue with their rental property, your property manager will be the first point of contact. From here the course of action may vary, depending on the circumstance and landlord preferences.  

In some cases, as the property owner you may have given clear instruction on rectifying issues up to a certain dollar amount, or you may require contact directly to discuss issues prior to it being rectified. If the latter, the importance of addressing issues promptly is to be reminded.  

Recently it was reported than an ACT landlord was required to compensate their tenant for ‘loss of amenity’ after it was found appropriate action was not taken to address mould concerns. While there were several factors at play in this scenario, it is a reminder of the importance of ensuring issues are addressed promptly and the property remains in a good, clean condition for tenants use.  

In some parts of the country high temperatures coupled with rainfall is a breeding ground for mould and it may become a concern for many tenants moving forward. Black mould is a particular concern and may indicate internal moisture which may fall outside tenant’s control. Finding the source of the mould and rectifying it is best practice in this scenario. 

We’re deep in the season of wild weather now, with flooding and bushfires a stark reality for parts of the country. Damage to property through natural disasters can be incredibly stressful for all involved, and often repairs needs to be dealt with urgently.  

Major damage to infrastructure supplying multiple properties cannot always be fixed immediately, however if damage is to the individual property and impacts basic amenities (such as power or water), it should be treated as urgent.

In most cases, if tenants cannot reach landlords within 24 hours they can employ qualified repairers to fix the issue to a minimum standard.  

Timeliness, efficiency and setting out an appropriate course of action to remedy issues play an important part in the overall effective management of your property.