Well, Summer in Brisbane has certainly arrived with the humidity rising dramatically in the past week.
If you are a Property Investor or a Tenant there are a few things that you need to think about in summer.
1. Safety in the swimming pool
There’s nothing better than taking a cool dip in a pool, spa, or above-ground swimming pool on a hot summer day. Pool safety is a top priority, especially considering that 11 children aged 14 and under drowned in Australian swimming pools in 2020/21.
Landlords have a great opportunity to ensure that their pool meets all safety requirements. The pool’s gates and fences should be in good shape, self-latching, self-closing, and not propped open. This is also a great time to do other maintenance such as repairing damaged tiles.
Due to the issue of pool safety being so important, tenants who live in a rental property with a pool must immediately report any problems to the gate or fence. Pool safety is a top priority. These maintenance requests must be addressed by landlords as soon as possible. When inspecting properties, landlords and tenants must ensure that no objects can be climbed on such as garden furniture are kept from the gates and fences of pools.
But what about portable swimming pools? Many lease agreements stipulate that tenants must have permission from their landlords to erect pools greater than 30cm. This is a common clause in tenancy agreements. All portable pools, including wading and inflatable pools, are subject to this requirement. A compliant fence or safety barrier must be installed if your landlord gives you permission to build a deep portable swimming pool. Portable pools should always be empty, even if they are less than 30cm in depth, and kept away from rain and sprinkler water. To prevent them from accidentally filling up with water or rain, all portable pools, no matter how small, must be kept empty when not used.
2. Take care of your lawn and garden
We’re not the only ones thirsty in this dry, hot weather. Our lawns and gardens also crave water.
When your water usage is rising and your water bills are increasing, it’s tempting not to water the garden. It’s important to remember, for most tenants keeping the lawn and gardens healthy is part of their lease.
It’s tempting to forgo watering the garden at this time of year when your water usage might be ticking over into the next tier (and your water bills are going up). For most tenants, maintaining the health of the lawns and gardens is a condition of their lease. This means that you will need to mow and trim the lawns, weed, prune, and water.
Water before 9am or after 6pm to avoid losing water to evaporation.
3. Getting the most out of your aircon
A cool, comfortable air conditioner can make a difference on hot summer days or sticky nights. It is important that the unit be serviced and cleaned by landlords to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. Regular servicing can help prevent costly repairs down the line.
Tenants can help ensure that their aircon system works well by turning it on earlier in the morning to maintain comfortable temperatures inside the home. To keep heat out, simple measures such as closing blinds and curtains to block sunlight from entering the home and using ceiling fans or pedestals in high-traffic areas of the house with the aircon can help. It is essential to regularly clean the filter of the reverse-cycle air conditioner.
Although air conditioning can be a great thing, it is not always able to keep up with the heat of a Brisbane summer. The aircon will be working at maximum capacity if the temperature outside is above 32 degrees Celsius. Even if the aircon is running at maximum efficiency, it might still feel warmer inside if it is extremely hot outside.
4. Be bushfire ready
It is vital that your property is ready for bushfires in Australia every summer. Clear gutters of leaves and twigs, fix or replace any damaged or missing roof tiles, and repair or cover any cracks in exterior walls. The lawn should be kept short and the gardens should not be overgrown. Trees and shrubs that are too high should also be pruned. Landlords must ensure that the property’s smoke detectors work properly. To reduce the risk of fire, tenants should have barbecues in areas that are well-ventilated and away from buildings.
5. Holiday security
Summer is a popular time to travel for holidays, especially since many people are off work and school is on a break. According to a Budget Direct study in 2020, the majority of home burglaries in Brisbane occurred in December, January, and February. This is the best time to ensure that your property’s door and window locks, as well as security cameras, are in working order. Landlords may also have the opportunity to make repairs or maintenance while tenants go on holiday. It is possible to carry out work without disrupting the tenants’ day with some coordination between the tenant and landlord.
Are you looking to find a Brisbane property manager? Or are you looking for your next Brisbane rental property? We can help. Contact us today to speak with a member of our friendly local team.
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Hicks Real Estate Team
Hicks Real Estate is a Brisbane based, full-service real estate agency supporting buyers and sell as well as renters and property investors. With almost 20 years experience in the local market, we are the real estate experts you can rely upon.
