Sharon Fox-Slater
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Australia’s expanding illicit drug problem is having an ever-increasing impact on investment property owners, with a growing number of rentals being contaminated by meth. Along with contamination come accusations – squarely levelled at the agent – about how it was allowed to happen. There’s a new headline every day, it seems, about the problem of meth in rental properties. Also…
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No matter how diligent an agent you are, sometimes issues arise and you can find a tenant or landlord accusing you of failing in your duties. This is where Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance is a safety net, protecting you from financial loss following a claim of negligence against you by covering your legal defence costs and damages payable. PI cover is a…
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As we rocket towards the festive break, many landlords will be looking at tapping into the Airbnb juggernaut and offering their properties on shared accommodation platforms. But before they welcome guests, it’s imperative that the right landlord insurance is in place. In a heart-breaking incident, a four-year-old boy was killed at a property being rented out via Airbnb on the…
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As the weather heats up, a little seasonal TLC at investment properties may be on the cards. Sharon Fox-Slater says now is a great time to get out your little black book of tradies and arrange some springtime maintenance. Spring is traditionally when property owners give their homes a good clean and refresh. The arrival of warmer weather also heralds…
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Bushfire season has just begun, but already there have been devastating fires across New South Wales, in Queensland’s Far North, near Darwin and in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. And as spring moves into summer, many other parts of the country will also brace for fires. For agents managing rentals in bushfire-prone areas, it is time to make sure your landlord…
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Upselling, value-adding and alternative income streams are all part and parcel of modern-day business. The business growth strategy du jour is ‘adjacencies’. Adjacency is a strategy where a company looks outside its boundaries for new sources of income, moving into related areas that use and reinforce its core business. In real estate, the most common partnerships are with related services…
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As new legislation in Victoria is set to see pets in rentals become the norm instead of the exception, Sharon Fox-Slater says the fear of damage might not be justified. With the Victorian Government tabling its ‘Fair Rent’ Bill in Parliament, the issue of pets in rentals is in the spotlight again. Amongst the 130 reforms, the proposed new legislation…
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“Meth House of Horror!”, “Ice Epidemic!”, “Rental Properties Test Positive for Meth/ice”. The headlines are alarming and fuel widespread fears about meth contamination. Concerns are particularly prevalent in the rental industry, with stories about investment properties being used as clandestine laboratories or smoking dens, and subsequent tenants suffering ill-effects from exposure to the toxic residue. With alarm bells ringing, agents…
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We are mid-way through winter and many parts of the country are getting windy and wet (although unfortunately not the right places right now!) When wild weather descends, roofs take a battering – and many come off second best. At RentCover around 55 per cent of all storm damage claims we receive relate to roofs. Last winter alone approximately $1.5…
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It wasn’t long ago that drones were developed only for military purposes. Today, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are mainstream and flocks can be seen flying over local parks and beaches every weekend.But it’s not only enthusiastic families taking to the skies; real estate agents have been quick to adopt the technology. When the first commercial drones came on the scene, early…
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For many landlords with property in cities and prime holiday locations, the lure of the short-stay accommodation market is strong. Some choose to rent their property to holidaymakers, others may look for a corporate lease. Some have their property available to rent all the time, and some switch, looking to cash in during peak season. Although the financial rewards can…
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When it comes to Rental House Rules, rule number one is don’t DIY, cautions Sharon Fox-Slater. Seduced by the plummy tones of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (aka LLB) or the ocker Scottie Cam, the return of home renovation shows like House Rules and The Block is often a siren call to would-be DIYers. And while picking up the power tools at their…
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“You don’t know what you don’t know.” It might sound like an off-hand statement, but it is really at the heart of why real estate professionals should partner with an insurance broker to help them protect their businesses. The risks facing real estate businesses are diverse and insurance can be complex, which is why engaging the services of a broker who…
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One in 40 Australian homes are burgled each year, sending a clear message to landlords and agents about the importance of security at rentals, says Sharon Fox-Slater. Home burglary is one of the most widespread crimes in Australia with more than 300,000 break-ins recorded each year, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. This sobering statistic coincides with a number…
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