Commercial Property Management

WHAT ARE OUR FEES AND CHARGES?
Our management fee incorporates payments of all aspects of the management process in one easy to understand monthly figure. Although if we were to  manage more than one property for you, our fee would be negotiable. Our management fee may not be the cheapest in Newcastle, but we believe that we provide the best service and as a result offer you the best value for money.

HOW DO WE MARKET YOUR PROPERTY?
In our experience, the most effective ways of advertising are on the internet, sign boards at the property, advertising twice weekly in the Newcastle Herald, window display and coloured printed brochures directed to relocation agents, Defence Housing Authority, Newcastle University, the John Hunter Hospital & Mater Hospital and other major employers in the area.

Prospective tenants are very aware of newspaper advertising as the traditional source fo rental property listing. However the internet is fast becoming increasingly effective as a means of rental enquiries.  We have found that 40% of all enquiries come from the internet. As a result, all our listings can be found on domain.com.au, realestate.com.au and our own site. This enables us to provide a detailed description and photos of your property.

We also maintain a database of people who have an interest in leasing property and contact them as appropriate properties become available. Further, our high profile position in Hunter Street, Newcastle means we enjoy superb foot traffic. Our office is open 6 days per week and regularly secures tenants through enquiries attracted to our office on the weekends.

WHEN DO WE PROCESS YOUR RENTAL INCOME?
Funds are banked directly into the owner’s account through electronic banking on the 14th & 27th day of each month. Funds deposited are available the next working day. A statement showing rental income, any disbursements processed during that month, management fees and tax will also be forwarded to the owner either via email or Australia Post.

HOW DO WE PROCESS TENANT APPLICATIONS?
Prospective tenants go through a stringent approval process. They are first required to fill in a comprehensive application form. Reference checks are then conducted where we contact previous landlords or agents, current and previous employers and personal references. A sound knowledge of the applicants character, reliability and care of prior leased properties is established. Chapman Property also check every application on a national tenant default database to verify that the applicant has never defaulted on a tenancy. Once the applicants suitability is determined, we then contact the owner and discuss our recommendation, together a decision is made.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TENANT IS NOT PAYING THE RENT?
The care we take during tenant selection means we are much less likely to accept poor tenants. This reduces the possibility of having a tenant who needs to be pursued for rental arrears. Regardless of our ongoing diligence, a tenant may occasionally fall into arrears. If this occurs, an overdue notice is issued after five days with a follow up phone call after seven days. At ten days, a phone call is made advising that a Notice of Termination will be issued if the rent is not paid within the fourteen days. If a tenant falls fifteen days in arrears, this notice is automatically sent. At this stage, you would be advised of any actions and expected outcomes.

HOW REGULARLY DO WE INSPECT YOUR PROPERTY?
Every property under our management is inspected prior to the lease being signed and a thorough five page condition report completed. It is our policy to conduct a routine inspection 6-8 weeks after the tenant moves in. This gives us an early indication if the tenant is cleaning and maintaining the property to our standard. If all is well, the property is then inspected internally every six months. We will also provide a written report with details of the condition of the property and recommend maintenance or repairs.