HICKS REAL ESTATE has a strict tenancy application process. Although there are no 100% guarantees, on your behalf, Hicks Real Estate has developed a selection process which we believe will give you the best chance of finding the right tenant for your investment property.

All applicants must complete our best practice rental application form and provide 100 point identification, proof of income, personal references and proof of previous living arrangements. We verify the applicant’s details as part of the application process and will discuss all tenancy application offers with you.

On your behalf, what we are seeking from the tenant is sound evidence of their suitability, and to this end Hicks Real Estate searches for evidence of past bad debt records on each applicant using the following platforms:

1. 1. 1. TICA (Tenancy Information Centre Australia)
      2. BARCLAY MIS Protect and Collect Australasia

When assessing their suitability:

1. 1. • Check to ensure rent is no more than 30% of weekly income.
      • Verify Applicant’s identification with 100 points ID.
      • Ask for written referrals from other real estate agencies.
      • Check previous rental ledger for arrears and breaches.
      • Contact all character references.
      • Applicant to supply evidence of income with at least 2 payslips/Centrelink statements/accountant details.
      • Contact all employers to verify employment.
      • Verify privacy authority.
      • Check their social media profiles.

This process takes one staff member approximately 1.5hrs per applicant. With the average completed tenancy application forms taking between 3-4 hours each depending on how many potential tenants for each application.

After all the above tasks are completed, all applications are presented to you with our recommendation/s. It is you, the landlord, who makes the final decision on the successful applicant.

Changing property managements is a relatively easy process and can be done before your tenants’ lease expires.

Step 1: Appoint Hicks Real Estate as your new manager.

Step 2: Advise your current property management agency in writing that in 30 days your agreement will end with them. (see termination template below)

Step 3: We will then do the rest. We will collect the keys and necessary paperwork from your previous agency on your behalf, and also contact your tenants to advise them of the changes.

Download our free template letter to terminate your agreement with your current property management agency. Simply, complete the areas highlighted in yellow and post or email it your current property management agency.

An Emergency Repair; once received by our office, must be actioned by Hicks Real  Property Management Team ASAP.

Under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 the Act states emergency repairs as:

• a burst water service or a serious water service leak
• a blocked or broken lavatory system or fittings
• a serious roof leak
• a gas leak
• a dangerous electrical fault
• flooding or serious flood damage
• serious storm, fire or impact damage
• a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
• a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on premises for hot water, cooking or heating
• a fault or damage that makes premises unsafe or unsecure
• a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a tenant of the premises, or
• a serious fault in any staircase, lift or other common area which inhibits or unduly inconveniences residents in gaining access to or using the premises

Emergency Repairs are allocated as our highest priority. The landlord is contacted as soon as the notification is received, and the appropriate action is carried out swiftly. The outcome of the emergency is then communicated to both the landlord and the tenants.