Melissa Benge

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...

Given the recent shakes and rumbles, you may be wondering how an earthquake in your area could affect your ability to buy or sell a property. If you have had plans to buy or sell in North Canterbury, you need to be especially aware of how recent events could affect you. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss some of the aspects that you may need to consider. How the Kaikoura earthquake will affect the property market In comparison to...

This year, the Government introduced a number of changes to make it easier for certain homebuyers to purchase a home. Perhaps the most important of these changes is in how KiwiSaver accounts can be leveraged to pull together a deposit and contribute towards the overall settlement. At First Avenue Property we have noticed a dramatic increase in interest from first-time homebuyers this year, which we attribute largely to these rule changes. Changes to KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme In July 2016, changes to...

As a landlord, you are bound to encounter issues with a tenant at some point or another. In the majority of cases, these problems can be resolved amicably through a simple conversation. Sometimes, however, you might need the help of a mediator to resolve the issue and/or make the resolution legally binding. In today’s post we’re going to describe the benefits of mediation and explain how the mediation process works. Resolving tenancy issues Tenancy issues can range from very small to...