Repairs and maintenance to rental propertys are one of the most common issues that cause legal disputes between landlords and tenants. As the mediator, property managers need to know and educate both tenants and landlords on whose responsibility it is to fix repairs and maintenance issues.

Routine inspections are a big part of a property manager’s day to day job. Along with the millions of other tasks they’re expected to complete, it can be tempting sometimes to rush inspections and assume everything is fine. No doubt this can often lead to some serious problems down the line, especially if tenants are hiding/performing questionable or illegal substances or behaviour. You can never be too careful when it comes to routine inspections. At Inspection Manager we compiled a list below of red flags or warning signs as a property manager to look out for when completing a routine inspection.

Staying connected with your tenants and building a trusting relationship is key to having better tenants, maintaining well-kept rental properties and being updated with any issues/problems on a rental property right away. Kelly, a Property Manager from LJ Hooker says “The best way to maintain well-kept rental properties with minimal issues is to form more trusting and better relationships with your tenants. Staying connected with check-in messages or calls to tenants is one step closer to a more transparent relationship.”

Routine inspections allow you to identify and address any maintenance or repair issues. This gives landlords peace of mind, knowing their valued rental properties are being maintained and carefully managed. The details recorded at routine inspections are also used as evidence in disputes between landlords and tenants. Therefore, in order to serve their purpose, routine inspections should to be done thoroughly and competently. At the same time, routine inspections don’t have to be a difficult process.

Property managers, do you feel like your work is always following you wherever you go? Even when you’re not physically taking your work home with you, it’s always on your mind 24/7. Work-life balance is a common struggle for property managers and a lack of boundaries often leads to burnout.

Copying, filing, searching, retrieving, refiling, sending, mailing and faxing… on average a property manager spends 20% of their time on paperwork. If you’re tired of doing things the hard way, you’re not alone. Many property management agencies have converted to/created a paperless office and have never looked back since. While the change may seem intimidating at first, here are some compelling reasons why your agency should create a paperless office today.

Being a Property Manager is hard work – you’re always juggling a dozen different tasks on a hectic schedule. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day commitments that you forget to focus on the bigger picture -where your career or business is heading. Attending a conference is the perfect way to receive some much-needed inspiration and motivation. There’s no better way to stay informed and network with experts in the property management industry.

What helps improve your property management skills? According to industry experts, it’s about avoiding a few common pitfalls. If these are overlooked, they may escalate into major problems, and can cause serious damage to your performance and wellbeing.

Are you a property owner or manager always on the lookout for good contractors? There are certain jobs around a house that will require the assistance of a professional, and electrical work is one of them. If the electrical work is part of a more complex renovation plan, make sure you do not forget to formulate a budget before making any big decisions. Working with electricity can be extremely dangerous, and in no way should you take the DIY approach to repairs.In Australia, calling an electrician for repairs or renovations is a legal requirement. Installing new wiring, connecting a new heating system, installing a powerpoint, are only some of the things that you might need an electrician for, so here are some the most important things that you need to know before hiring an electrical expert.

Are you planning on remodelling or renovating your house? If you are, you might be considering wallpaper, which has re-entered the style space this year. Available in a wide range of colors, textures, and prints, replacing old wallpaper or installing it in order to improve the property’s overall appearance could add value, attract more buyers and boost your home’s appeal.

Does your job revolve around customer satisfaction? Working in customer-centric industries like real estate, you will come across a lot of people and making a connection with the customer is vital to the longevity of your business. Establishing healthy customer connections is a fool proof formula for generating repeat business. Customers will come to you not just because they love your products and services, but because you offered them a smooth and convenient experience. The experts at Bricks + Agent have compiled a list of tips and tricks for improving customer connections.

If you're on the lookout for a new career path, becoming a property manager might just be the perfect job for you. Now more than ever, people of all ages are renting instead of buying, so the need for good and professional property managers is out there. A career in property management can bring a decent salary, job security, and steady employment, and if you like to work with people, then your success is almost guaranteed.

Are you a property owner or interested in investing in real estate? Then it's important to understand the complexities that come with any market. Making a profit from property investment is more complicated than just fixing things when they break. When you are managing a property, especially as a first-time landlord, you might find yourself taking on a lot of different roles. The way in which you do your job can make or break your chances of being successful. A lot of entrepreneurs prefer to invest in rental properties, both long-term and short-term rentals. With companies like Airbnb becoming more popular, everyone is eager to transform homes and apartments into accommodation that can be rented short-term and for maximum profit.

Whether it’s a business trip or vacation, hotel guests expect everything to go as planned, and for hotel staff, the main objective is to ensure guests are comfortable. You might have the best facilities, location, great staff and exceptional service but in order to be successful in the hospitality industry, focus must be on one thing - customer satisfaction. When it comes to hotel guests, one wrong step from the service end can easily have hotel guests looking for alternative accomodation.

Cloud-based property management software is considered one of the most popular and powerful tools for many real estate agencies. But while it is quite popular among many businesses, the software can still be quite overwhelming and mysterious to many, which fuels many myths about it.

It can be very challenging when it comes to choosing between a colorbond versus a tile roof. With the many varieties of cement tile roofs and metal roofs available, many residential builders and homeowners wonder which could be the best option? Both metal and tiled roofs have benefits, and it is up to you to compare the benefits and make a decision.

While we may enjoy our beautiful gardens, making a beautiful garden can be a cumbersome task. Garden screening might make a garden feel smaller as much as it offers us some privacy. Below are six excellent garden screening ideas provided by professional landscapers to give you the privacy that you need.

In Australia, the average hourly rate for TV antenna services is around $80. The most common antenna services usually consist of jobs like installing or repairing an antenna, which can be solved easily. However, if you are dealing with something more complicated, your electrician might have to charge more. For a simple job that is solved quickly, the antenna repairman could charge even less than the average electrician rates. Some electricians might charge a per-project fee. In that case, repairing a standard television antenna will cost you between $200 and $250. However, these costs are only available if you are dealing with an easy-to-solve problem. If the job is straightforward, and there are no complications, you can expect to pay the aforementioned sum. If the electrician finds that certain parts must pe replaced, or that there are underlying issues that are difficult to fix, you might have to pay extra. Installing and repairing antennas are not the only services that an antenna specialist will offer. He will also do check-ups and tune-ups to make sure that your home entertainment system receives high-quality reception. Because there are so many different jobs related to TV antennas, it’s quite important to know what factors can determine the final costs.

A well-manicured lawn might be your pride and joy and it will definitely show off your garden to its best potential in Spring, but put yourself in a potential buyer’s shoes. All they’re going to see is hard work - mowing, trimming, watering, fertilising - to keep it looking that way. People who have busy lives don’t want to invest their time in gardening unless it’s a particular hobby or passion. They want a versatile, good looking garden where they can entertain and which stays that way all year round with little effort on their part. A low maintenance garden, therefore, will be high on the list of viewers and this is one area that you should definitely focus on to attract buyers when selling your house. As we’ll show you, it’s not that difficult to create a low maintenance garden, and if you’re on a tight pre-inspection schedule, you might be surprised how quickly you can transform your garden from a high maintenance nightmare, to a fuss-free outdoor space.

Are you looking for or thinking of hiring an exceptional home cleaning company? When it comes to your home hygiene, you would always want the best. If you haven’t been getting the cleaning service you deserve, it's time to change course. If you wish to hire a cleaning company to help you with a complicated task or to help you clean regularly, you need to consider the following factors before hiring any cleaning agent.

Do you want your splashback to retain its beautiful finish? It is essential to know how to clean glass splashback because it is not only the primary feature of your kitchen, but also it is essential in protection of your cooking areas. Below are tips for cleaning and maintaining your splashback. However, if you would like more information on maintenance of your splashback, you can inquire it from your local splashback supplier.

As much as roller blinds look practical and elegant, they usually get dirty with time. You should know how to clean roller blinds to keep them beautiful. Here is a guide on how you can do it. If you have any concerns about roller blinds, you can visit your local blind store supplier.

You need to know how to clean the glass shower screen to achieve a sparkling clean bathroom glass. However, it’s quite hard to clean a glass screen when soap and dirt builds up on it. The tips below shows the best way to clean glass shower screens in a few minutes.

Dirty fly screens prevent fresh air from passing through the mesh. They are unappealing, and the whole process of cleaning them can be a messy chore. But you shouldn’t be worried because if you know how to clean security doors, this won’t be a problem anymore.

Are you in need of a business opportunity that will allow you to use your hands to create furniture, buildings and other wood related items? Currently, carpentry has a significant market. It is the ideal trade but how to become a carpenter is something that most people don't know. The tips below will help you to be a carpenter.

The most common household pests are some of the hardest to get rid of once they gain a foothold in your home. Many pests, such as cockroaches, mice and birds, are also well-known carriers of germs and diseases that are harmful to humans and need to be eradicated immediately. For many homeowners the DIY method of pest control is often preferable, as baits and traps can be obtained cheaply from their local hardware store, but in truth they’re not always that effective. You can end up spending much more on DIY products in the long run than it would cost for a single visit by an experienced pest technician.

If you’re selling your house and are concerned buyers will be put off by a small master bedroom - don’t be. There’s no reason why a small bedroom can’t be as relaxing and luxurious as a much larger space. Plus, as housing affordability and environmental concerns become increasing issues for many potential homeowners, the Tiny House Movement is starting to take hold in Australia. Smaller houses are not only the best way to get a foot on the property ladder, they’re cheaper to run and can save homeowners money in the long run. What’s not to like about that? So take heart and try out some (or all) of our small master bedroom ideas - and remember, living with less doesn’t mean living without luxury!

A fresh start to 2020 means new goals and enhancements at Bricks + Agent. This month we are excited to announce improved insights for property managers, the introduction of ‘business rules’ to automate actions or filter jobs and a Smart Dashboard that let’s you control the information that actually requires your attention to proceed with jobs.

You probably know that property managers and property management companies exist, but do you know exactly what they do? The property managers are third parties who are hired to handle a wide range of daily operations related to real estate investments.

When listing your property for rent, think of the type of audience you want living in it first! While you will feel like considering a lot of people before choosing a selected audience and demographic, it will help to keep the types of people who are not suited to your property at arms length. Once you have your target audience, its time to consider what types of things they need and want from a rental property, and how you can provide it to them. But who are your ideal renters? The experts at Bricks+Agent have put together some steps to help you target your audience.

Deciding when is the best time to sell your house requires not only research of market conditions but also,other factors such as lifestyle implications and more

If you're a property manager then its likely you're managing more than one property for your clients. Both the tenant and the owner are extremely important and communication is a key factor for success. Here are tips that can help property managers communicate better with the tenant and the owner.

Finding a great landlord is not an easy task as you need to consider plenty of things while looking for a new landlord. The experts at Bricks+Agent have put together their top 5 tips for a landlord search that’ll help you discover honest and nice landlords that you can depend on.

Are you prepared for unexpected bills? Can you make your mortgage payments for the foreseeable future? Maybe it’s time to look at how to protect your finances.

Buying a new home can be an exciting idea. Before starting your search for homes on the market, you must consider and keep the following factors in mind.