Tenant Information

Mould spores are always present in the air around us which is why it is so important to keep your home properly ventilated.

As simple plants belonging to the fungi group, these tiny aviators need moisture in the air and are always on the lookout for a nice enclosed area in your home where ventilation is poor. That’s why cupboards and wardrobes often present the ideal moisture and temperature combination environment for mould and mildew to thrive.

To combat mould, you need to reduce moisture levels, consider insulation and increase ventilation.

Ideally, start by opening the windows to create cross ventilation regularly. This is the most energy efficient and inexpensive approach. Too cold? Alright, but open the windows just a little. Remember, the important thing is to keep air moving.

Next, check what’s going on with insulation. Insulation prevents heat loss from walls and ceilings, thereby keeping a room warmer. When the walls and ceiling are warmer, moisture is less likely to condense on these surfaces, so your home is kept dryer.

Alternatively, another common method is to use an electric dehumidifyer. Most hardware and department stores can recommend the appropriately sized unit for your affected room.

Other areas that mould and mildew really enjoy are closets and the clothes they contain. As moulds grow they cause considerable damage. Mildew secretes an enzyme that decomposes organic matter and uses it for growth and reproduction. It often leaves a musty odour in clothes and causes unsightly black stains and rot.

One well-tested and successful method is to place a small low wattage electric light globe, say between 40 and 60 watts. The dry heat prevents mildew and mould growth although this can be expensive.

Many people prefer to buy chemical dehumidifyers at the supermarket or hardware store. These small plastic buckets contain refillable mineral salts that absorb moisture, collecting it below in a small reservoir that you need to empty periodically.

Renting with pets is much easier than you think at First National. We flag all our vacancies as ‘Pet Friendly’ if the landlord has indicated a willingness to consider applications from tenants with pets.

While landlords are understandably concerned about the potential for damage or increased wear and tear, responsible pet owners with good rental references are considered equally.

Naturally, it’s important to have pet references when you make your application.

First National Real Estate will want to be able to present the landlord with evidence that you are a responsible pet owner and that your previous landlord was satisfied with the way you managed your pet.

As a responsible pet owner, this rarely presents a problem.

If a rental asking price seems to good to be true, it almost certainly is!

Scammers have been targeting unsuspecting tenants by offering properties in top locations, via websites like Gumtree and nzflatmates.co.nz, at vastly reduced prices.

Problem is, the scammers, who are often acting as overseas landlords, or may even appear to be branded as agents, ask for an upfront payment to secure the property or the keys for an inspection.

The one constant is that the agent or landlord is never available to show the prospective tenant the property.

Once money has been wired overseas, tenants wait for the keys and paperwork to arrive. Of course, it never does.

Unsuspecting people lost a significant amount of money in rental scams last year. Make sure you’re not one of them next time you are shopping for a new home.

Follow these tips and you’ll be fine:

• Be immediately cautious of unusually low rental asking prices.
• Insist on an appointment to inspect the property.
• Do not deal with an owner or agent who makes excuses about why they can’t meet you at the property and/or insists on an upfront payment.
• Be wary of shared accommodation websites.
• No matter how real the advert looks, don’t forget all the information could have been copied from a legitimate agent’s website.
• Avoid money transfers.
• If the property is overseas, ask somebody you trust to make enquiries on your behalf in the country concerned.

When you vacate your rental property, give it a very careful clean before handing the keys back to your property manager. Your property manager must carefully inspect the property and advise the landlord of any deterioration in its condition. You could be expected to pay for professional cleaners if things aren’t up to standard.

When you’re renting a property, don’t let maintenance issues build up around you.

Always inform your landlord or property manager of any problems that require the attention of a licensed tradesman so repairs can be expedited.

If you have difficulty maintaining the garden, hire a gardener at least once a month to help keep things under control and remove green waste.

On a weekly basis, clean the bathroom thoroughly and keep a close eye on mould. Left to its own devices, mould will quickly spread unless kept in check.

Your kitchen should be cleaned daily and garbage removed to avoid attracting pests such as cockroaches and rodents.

Carpets require regular vacuuming and benefit greatly from an annual professional clean. Encourage children to remove their shows before entering the home to help reduce wear and