Frequently Asked Questions

Property Management

Do I need to meet the tenants?

We don’t recommend that you meet the tenants, provide them with personal details, or contact them.  It's our job to deal with tenant issues and to do this successfully you should not be in direct contact with the tenant.

Do I have to use Quinovic suppliers for maintenance?

Not if you don't want to. If you have existing valued relationships we can maintain these. Over the years we have built up excellent relationships with many tradespeople that have demonstrated a high level in service. Many of our clients choose Quinovic suppliers because in most instances our suppliers provide discounted rates to Quinovic.

Do I need an accountant to keep my records?

No you don’t. However, we do recommend that you consult an accountant when setting up your rental property arrangements. This should ensure correct structures are put in place to prevent potentially expensive losses – like finding out you are unable to claim a tax deduction for your mortgage.

What happens if the tenants decide to leave unexpectedly?

Firstly, this happens very rare with good quality tenants and good quality properties. One of the advantages of the Quinovic System is that we follow a clear documented process when tenants want to leave unexpectedly or have issues keeping up with rent. By following a correct and timely process, risks are minimised and the chance of losses reduced.

Rent

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Will I earn more rent if I provide white-ware and furnishings?

This will depend on the type of the property. In most instances, more rent won't be achieved by furnishing and may actually decrease the appeal of the property. Concerning white-ware, in most instances we assess whether white-ware should be provided on a case-by-case basis. If white-ware is provided, it needs to be maintained unless the tenancy agreement specifies otherwise.

Tenant Responsibilities

How clean does the property need to be for the tenants?

As part of our service we complete an extensive and comprehensive checklist with you to ensure we include appropriate special conditions for your property. These are likely to include clauses with special considerations such as prohibiting the use of unflued gas heaters (which can cause condensation), specifying who is maintaining the section, whether white-ware is included and being maintained, and so on.

Should I be responsible for the garden maintenance?

Most tenancies require the tenant to be responsible for the garden. However, tenants are only required to maintain the section to a ‘reasonable standard’ which may not meet your expectations. In general, tenants maintain lawns quite well and should be responsible for minor gardening and weeding.

Landlords

Should I allow pets at my property?

It's your choice whether you want to allow pets in your property. We recommend that pets are assessed on an individual risk basis as not allowing pets of any type will generally reduce the prospective tenant pool by at least 20%. However, there are issues regarding how tenancy law is applied to pets in NZ that you need to be aware of.

How clean does the property need to be for the tenants?

In general, we prefer to maintain properties to a high standard, even where this is not supported by the minimum standards in NZ tenancy legislation.  A high standard at the beginning increases the chances of maintaining that high standard in the long term.  We recommend pre-tenancy cleaning to include:

• Clearing and cleaning all items from all areas including kitchens, bathroom halls and utility rooms

• Clearing and dusting inside cupboards, on windows sills, light shades and skirting boards

• Oven Cleaning and cleaning of areas behind appliances

• Grubby finger marks removed from doors and walls

• Range hood cleaned, inside filters may need to be cleaned or replaced

Many owners find that doing the cleaning themselves is much more onerous than anticipated, so we recommend professional cleaning.

What insurance do I need for my property ?

Your insurance company must be advised that the property will be tenanted, and the insurance policy may change as a result of this. We can provide information on insurance providers who specialise in rental property insurance. Risks such as damage to carpets and curtains, gradual deterioration, deliberate damage, the property being uninhabitable due to a natural disaster or the tenant failing to pay rent are often not covered by standard policies.

What else can I leave at the property?

In most instances, everything should be removed from the property. Maintenance materials like paint, possibly a ladder, hose, and shelving in the garage are permissable. It is important that remaining items are identified early on so that tenants are clear what will and will not be at the property. It is expected that items will be removed where it is not specified that they are staying.

Do I have to have everything working for the tenants?

Outstanding maintenance should be completed before the tenancy starts. The most common cause of complaints when tenants move in are:

• Windows draughty or not opening and closing properly

• Doors locked and handles not working properly

• Cleaning not completed to a high enough standard

• Taps dripping or difficult to turn on and off

• Lights not working

If we know about these issues in time, we can advise whether these need to be fixed. Where appropriate, we can exclude them with a special condition in the tenancy.