Frequently Asked Questions

Service and Fees

Is our fee negotiable for more than one property?

Yes. When one owner has multiple properties, we apply a sliding scale.

What do I get for the fees?

We provide a comprehensive property management service. All we need are the keys and your bank account details and we’ll take care of everything else. This includes advertising your property, selecting suitable tenants, carrying out ingoing, routine, and final inspections, receipting rent, coordinating maintenance, and much more. Our goal is to remove the stress of managing your rental so you can enjoy a hands off experience.

How often do you pay out the rent?

You can choose to be paid once or twice a month. As our Trust account is audited, we first reconcile everything on the first working day of each month and then process your payment.

How do I calculate rental yields?

Take the annual income and divide by the property value then times by 100. For example; $500.00 per week @ 52 weeks = $26,000.00 divide by the value $510,000.00 = 0.05098 x 100 = 5.09%.

Why do I need a property manager when I can do it myself?

That’s a decision each landlord needs to make. It comes down to whether you have the skills, knowledge, and training to comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, use the correct legal documentation, and handle tenant issues in a professional, arm’s length manner.

Maintenance

Who maintains the grounds at my rental property?

Tenants are expected to keep the grounds tidy, including mowing the lawns and some weeding. For properties with high maintenance gardens or specialised plants like roses, we normally hire a gardener and set the rent to cover this.

Can I arrange my own maintenance?

Absolutely. We can notify you of any repairs and maintenance needed, and you can attend the property and carry these out. If a tradesman is required, we receive a trade rate, so the savings are passed on to you.

Do the tenants have to clean the carpets?

Tenants don’t have to professionally clean carpets as a rule, they just need to leave them reasonably clean and tidy. If carpets are left excessively dirty or soiled, then cleaning costs can then be recovered.

Tenanting

On what websites do you advertise?

The Summit website has a saved search function meaning many tenants are already waiting for new listings. As soon as a property goes live they’re automatically notified and often contact us straight away to arrange viewings. We also market on realestate.co.nz and oneroof.co.nz and if a property has lower demand we can boost exposure by optimising the listing on Trade Me Property.

How long will it take to find a tenant?

We maintain a database of tenants who are ready and waiting so we can begin viewings as soon as the property is available. Within 48 hours of listing, the property will also be online. Since most tenants need to give 21 days’ notice at their current home, it’s best to start advertising at least four weeks before your property becomes available.

Do I get any choice on the tenant you place in the property?

A key part of our initial consultation is to understand your preferences around occupants, pets, and any other requirements. As a courtesy once we secure a suitable tenant we always confirm with you before finalising.

What checks do you do on prospective tenants?

We carry out background, credit, social media, google, sensible sentencing trust and a raft of checks including making telephone calls to previous landlords, employers and character referees.

Should we include any water charges in the rent?

Yes, it is a good idea to load the rent to cover this cost. It's easier for tenants to budget and saves some messy situations should an owner forget to send a bill in or if the water can not be read easily.