Melissa Benge

Selling your property privately is an attractive prospect at first glance – you have more control and you save money by not using a real estate agent. Before launching into this endeavour, what’s needed is a careful look at the effort you’ll invest and how the price you get may not render it worthwhile. So, let’s pull back the curtain and take that careful look at the prospect of selling privately. Selling property is a job made up of multiple jobs...

Selling an inherited property can be a minefield and will likely come at a time when the mourning process renders you emotionally and mentally exhausted. To help, First Avenue Property have outlined a few things to be mindful of before engaging with a lawyer for further information and essential legal advice. Requesting an Updated Title Search To see where things stand with the ownership of the property, you’ll need to start by requesting an updated title search. This will uncover...

Insulation will be compulsory in rental properties from July 2019. Subsidies on offer are leading to price hikes and huge variances in quotes. In this post we examine what landlords need to do to be compliant and what to look out for when dealing with installers. What Has Changed And Who It Affects Changes to The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 came into effect on 1 July 2016. The changes mean that come 1 July 2019, it will be compulsory for all...

When people think about purchasing an investment property, many of them fail to consider if being a landlord would actually suit their personality and lifestyle. Over the years, we’ve worked with countless numbers of landlords who have turned to us for help after realising that managing their property is more work than they expected. The reality is that being a landlord is a very demanding and challenging job. If you’re thinking about becoming a landlord for the first time, we encourage...

Imagine this scenario, which is every landlord’s nightmare. A property has been sitting empty for several weeks with income losses and costs adding up. The landlord does not want to drop the asking price and take less than he was earning from previous tenants, but week after week drift by with the property vacant. Then along comes a tenant, or even better a young couple, very polite and willing to pay the asking price. And at first they did pay, maybe...

When we meet with new clients, one of the questions we ask our landlords is: “will you rent to tenants with pets?” Many new landlords are reluctant to allow pets to live in their rental property, imagining the worst-case scenarios. While the potential for property damage is higher when pets are present, there are many reasons why allowing pets can be hugely beneficial. In today’s post, I’ll discuss the benefits of allowing tenants with pets and give you some pointers to...

If you’ve never rented a property before, you may be wondering where to start. By following the process recommended by Tenancy Services, you can find a great property and enjoy living in it happily for many years. We have written today’s post to break down the process so it’s easy to understand for anyone who is getting ready to rent a property for the first time. 1. Find a suitable flat or house First things first – it’s time to find...

Starting A Tenancy: A Guide for Landlords According to New Zealand’s 2013 census, over 30% of Christchurch households live in a rented home, a number that matches the nationwide average. With the large number of people renting homes each year, it’s important that certain processes are followed to ensure a fair arrangement for tenants and landlords alike. The laws that protect landlords and tenants are set forth in the Residential Tenancies Act. At First Avenue we have worked with many clients...

On this day six years ago at 12.51pm, an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 occurred in Christchurch, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The event had both immediate and gradual impacts to both the people, housing and businesses within the Canterbury region. To mark today's significance, we have created an infographic that visualises just some of the many ways the Christchurch earthquake impacted the communities within Canterbury. We hope you find it interesting as we all reflect on the events that...

Summer is finally here, but the change of seasons brings a new set of challenges for landlords. In general, landlords can expect their tenants to have fewer problems in the summer than in the winter – there are no leaky roofs or heating problems to contend with, for example. That being said, we’ve noticed that a few problems can crop up when the weather gets warmer. To help you prepare for a successful and happy summer, we’ve put together our top...