Western Australia has seen some catastrophic bushfires in recent seasons. We manage a lot of properties in bushfire-prone areas (the Hills in particular) but even in newer estates close to scrubland, bushfires are a real threat.

As the hot weather is beginning, amid reports that this summer is going to be hotter and drier than ever, we thought we’d share some tips for getting your investment property ready.

1. Ensure your home has a 20 metre ‘circle of safety’ around it. This area needs to be clear of any debris, rubbish, long grass and other material that may catch fire.

2. If you have trees close to your property, prune branches that sit lower than 2 metres off the ground. This will prevent the spreading of a ground fire.

3. Ensure that your home has the appropriate firebreak for your location. This involves clearing all the vegetation from the boundary of your property. Most local councils have specific firebreak information on their websites.

4. Don’t store wood against or near your house.

5. Keep gutters free from leaves and bark.

6. Install metal flywire mesh to windows or vents. These will prevent sparks and embers from getting inside.

7. Block gaps in the roof or cladding, under eaves or skylights where embers may be able to enter the house.

8. Don’t store gas cylinders on the side of the house that faces bush land.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) have prepared this handy PDF checklist that provides more information on bushfire safety and preparedness.

Remember: the more prepared your property is, the better the chance it will survive a bushfire.

Over the past year we’ve talked about maintenance and how upkeep is important for your rental property. As a property investor, your number one priority is to ensure that you get maximum return from your investment.

The major benefits of a well-maintained property are twofold:
1.    A rental property that is well maintained will result in loyal tenants who will pay more money and do more to look after your property.
2.    A rental property that is well maintained ultimately has a better resale value.

Over the course of the year, generally after a periodic inspection, your Property Manager will advise you of maintenance issues he or she thinks you should attend to. These can range from gutter cleaning to tree trimming or fixing general wear and tear inside. It’s important to consider everything your Property Manager mentions, even if you decide not to go ahead with the suggestions at that time.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on upkeep to your property. Even small things, like making sure you have working locks for all doors and windows, a fresh coat of paint or updated floor coverings, will add value to your property. So consider the small things – they can make a big difference.

Strong winds and storms can cause all kinds of headaches for property owners and tenants. We’d like to give you an idea of what we do when we get a call from a tenant telling us there’s been some damage to your home. While all situations are different, the procedure remains basically the same.

Here’s what happens:

1. Your tenant will contact us about the damage.
2. Your Property Manager will contact the appropriate maintenance company and ask them to fix anything that needs urgent repairs. They’ll also call you to advise you of the situation.
3. During this phone call, we’ll confirm your insurance details. We’ll also ask you for written authority to deal with the claim.
4. Your Property Manager will contact your insurer and advise that a claim is pending.
5. The maintenance company will go ahead and make the necessary temporary repairs and quote to repair or replace any other damage.
6. Your Property Manager will send your insurer a quote. We’ll advise you when this is done.
7. Once the quote has been approved, your insurer will get in touch with the maintenance company directly.
8. Repairs will be carried out.
9. The maintenance company will send an invoice straight to your insurer for payment.

Simple, right? The most important thing to remember is to keep your insurance cover up to date. If you’re not sure what your policy covers, be sure to check it now.

In 2009, new smoke alarm regulations (Building Amendment Regulation 2009) came into effect which state all rental properties must be fitted with hard-wired (mains powered) smoke alarms. It also became the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that these smoke alarms were maintained and in working order at all times.

RCD’s
Changes to the Electricity Act 1945 that took effect on 9 August 2009 require all residential homes to be fitted with two residual current devices (RCD’s). As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your property has these RCD’s fitted before a new tenant takes up occupancy or before August 2011 for continuing tenancies. We’ve been informed that electrical inspectors will be monitoring leased properties for compliance. If your property is in breach, you could be facing a penalty of up to $15,000.

If you’re unsure of your responsibilities, or if you would like more information about installing smoke alarms and RCD’s, please contact us.

(Image credit: Bob Jenkins)