Why your Accountant should know you better than your Gynaecologist

Money and Sex. Two important concepts. Couples fight over them, comedians joke about them, but few people can talk seriously and comfortably with either topic. If you want to be healthy, financially and physically, it is time to change that. Your accountant should know if you have multiple business partnerships. If you have an itch to do something expensive, they should be kept in the loop. If you are rash with your spending, they can tell you what the limit needs to be, before you end up penniless and alone. Your accountant should be able to assist you stay liquid, but only if you tell them all. They can’t read your mind, and poking will aggravate sore spots. Get the salve early and learn how to stay healthy by telling your accountant all your dirty (financial) secrets.

Liar Liar Pants On Fire!

The dumbest thing a tenant can do on an application for a property is lie. "No, I don't smoke. No, I don't have any pets. No it will only be me and my partner living here, we don't have any kids. No, I've never been to Tenancy Tribunal. Yes, my credit history is good. You can't call my landlord right now, they're overseas. I'm leaving my current property because it's been sold."

These, and many other lies, are just so easy to see through. And if our automatic lie detector doesn't go off immediately, all red flashing lights and sirens, the second line of defence kicks in, the background checks.

I'm not surprised so many people try lying on their tenancy applications - they might just get away with it, and for some people that is easier than being a better behaved tenant. The problem is, when we catch them in a lie, that's it. They don't get to live in the property, no matter how innocent the omission.

Why are we so hard-arse about this? Well, would you give someone you couldn't trust a quarter of a million dollars or more? No way, right? So why should we put a tenant we don't trust into a property worth that much? We are not that stupid.

Trust starts with telling the truth. If the truth isn't pretty, what do you need to do to be a more desirable applicant? Live that life and get better properties. If you are an honest tenant, apply for properties here.

Mediation Matters

When things go wrong in a tenancy, apply for Tenancy Tribunal as soon as it is clear trying to sort it out with the tenant (or the landlord, for that matter) isn't actually advancing the situation, particularly if you are getting promises that are not being kept.

Most likely, you will be scheduled for Mediation. Here are some things you need to know:

The mediator should be impartial. They don't favour the landlord or the tenant.
They should explain their role clearly to all parties and explain the process.
They should let you discuss the issues and reach a decision, while keeping everyone cool.
They shouldn't ask leading questions.
They should not suggest solutions.
They should help all parties reach agreement.
They should know the tenancy laws, and guide everyone to a lawful solution.
They should make clear what has been agreed upon, and write up that agreement.
They should write up mediated orders in a timely way and send them to be sealed by the Tenancy Tribunal promptly.
They should always act professionally and calmly.

If they don't do the above, you have a couple of choices. If you cannot reach a decision in Mediation, you can have the matter referred to Tribunal. This will take longer to get an outcome, and this may not be satisfactory if the problem will get worse with time (like rent arrears accumulating).

Or if the mediator has failed in their duty to be impartial and professional, you can complain about how it was handled. To do this, contact Department of Building and Housing on 0800 83 6262 and ask them to put you in touch with the mediation team leader and state why. In our experience the team leader has returned our calls the same day, and has acted swiftly and appropriately to see matters handled correctly.

Is shame stopping you succeeding?

A while ago, I had a prospective client who said she wanted us to manage her property but would not get me the tenancy agreements and other paperwork we needed to get started. I thought 'maybe she doesn't want to go ahead with property management'. When I finally confronted her about it, having followed up with her about 8 times, she admitted 'I haven't given you the green light because I am so embarrased. I've realised I didn't lodge the bond, and my rent records aren't up to date. I don't know where to start, and I'm disappointed with myself for not being better at this'.

Oh, is that all! I made a time with her to go to her house and sort through the loose pile of papers, extract the essentials we needed and had her write a cheque for the Bond Centre. Together we quickly tabulated the rent record from her statements, she signed our management contract, and the rest is history. The relief she felt once she admitted what was holding her back, and the quick solution (it took about 2 hours, including a coffee break), was obvious and immediate.

We quickly tackled the immediate problems with the tenancy - some rent arrears and maintenance items - and brought to an end insidious behaviour that was costing the owner money (the tenants were bending her around their little fingers).

She's gone on to buying more property and renovating them, something she is skilled at, plus furthering her career and spending more time with her family without this millstone around her neck.

She is so thrilled with our service, and that we didn't laugh at her, she happily gave us her own home to manage as well when she moved out of town.

Are you letting your secret shame from stopping you getting the help you need? Don't be embarrassed, we help people like you all the time. Contact us for help right away.