Welcome and Happy New Year!
The Holiday Rental Market:
December yielded good results across all categories. As always the middle part of January continues to be the hardest period to fill in the school holidays, and despite a concerted effort, all year. Minimum stay periods were dropped and last minute deals were carried out to secure bookings on properties that would have otherwise been left vacant.
A Changing Rental Market:
There has been a recent trend of Sydneysiders having sold their luxury homes and moving to the Central Coast - with a twist. These people usually rent for a period of time on the Central Coast, giving them the ability to try the area before they decide on where to purchase. This emerging market has resulted in an increase in demand for high-end long term leases and we are working with these opportunities as they come to us. A blog called Central Coast Seachange has been created by a Sydneysider-come-Coastie in response to this demographic shift and is attracting the attention of other Sydneysiders looking to make the move. Those owners wishing to take advantage of this emerging market please call Brent to discuss: 0410 872 541 / brentpilkington@mcgrath.com.au
NEWS: NSW Child Window Safety Devices Act 2013
New window safety requirements for owners corporations were introduced by amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act and Regulations and came into force on 11 December 2013. The requirements apply to all strata schemes that have residential lots.
New window safety requirements for owners corporations were introduced by amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act and Regulations and came into force on 11 December 2013. The requirements apply to all strata schemes that have residential lots.
The new legal requirements: There is now an obligation on owners corporations to ensure that all openable windows above the ground level that are accessible to children from inside the building must have safety devices fitted. If an openable window is less than 1.7m above the floor and the floor is more than 2m above the outside ground, a safety device must be installed. However, an openable window higher than 1.7m above the floor does not require a safety device to be fitted.
The safety devices must be able to limit the maximum window opening to 12.5cm, must be robust and must be childproof. Suitable window safety devices include window locks or safety screens (but not ordinary insect screens). Owners corporations have until 13 March 2018 to install window safety devices, failing which they can be fined and concerned residents will be able to apply to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal for orders that the owners corporation take action.
In the meantime, unit owners have the right to install window safety devices within their own unit. The devices must be installed competently and must be in keeping with the building's appearance. Unit owners will be liable for any damage that occurs to common property due to the installation. The right by owners to install complying window safety devices themselves will override any strata laws and any of the scheme's by-laws that would otherwise prevent them from doing so.
Also, from 1 March 2014, changes will be made to the prescribed Condition Report for permanent rental premises to show whether window safety devices exist or not. However, these changes will not impose any new responsibilities on real estate agents or property managers and landlords will not be obliged to install window safety devices.
Window safety devices are readily available from hardware stores and depending on the type, are inexpensive and easy to install.
(Source: www.accomnews.com.au)
IMPORTANT REMINDER - Blocking out Owner Dates for 2014The safety devices must be able to limit the maximum window opening to 12.5cm, must be robust and must be childproof. Suitable window safety devices include window locks or safety screens (but not ordinary insect screens). Owners corporations have until 13 March 2018 to install window safety devices, failing which they can be fined and concerned residents will be able to apply to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal for orders that the owners corporation take action.
In the meantime, unit owners have the right to install window safety devices within their own unit. The devices must be installed competently and must be in keeping with the building's appearance. Unit owners will be liable for any damage that occurs to common property due to the installation. The right by owners to install complying window safety devices themselves will override any strata laws and any of the scheme's by-laws that would otherwise prevent them from doing so.
Also, from 1 March 2014, changes will be made to the prescribed Condition Report for permanent rental premises to show whether window safety devices exist or not. However, these changes will not impose any new responsibilities on real estate agents or property managers and landlords will not be obliged to install window safety devices.
Window safety devices are readily available from hardware stores and depending on the type, are inexpensive and easy to install.
(Source: www.accomnews.com.au)
Do you have 5 minutes to spare? Now is a the perfect time to consider specific dates you may wish to block out for owner stays and property upgrades during 2014. Planning on doing work to your property? Obtaining quotes sooner than later will help you to pre-determine block-out dates. Tip: Block out upgrades for quieter months so we can continue booking your property in busy/peak times.
Still a High Demand for Wi-Fi Internet
Since we launched this call-out a number of new properties have opted to include Wi-Fi for guests and this is proving to be a big plus when it comes to bookings and happy guests. All properties who do offer the service will now be listed under the Wi-Fi tick box on our website's quick search.
Wi-Fi will need to be added at the owner’s discretion (just as many of you have done with FOXTEL) however we can recommend one with a large download limit such as:
Telstra $93/mth for 200GB download on 24mth contract OR Telstra $99/mth for 200GB download on uncontracted
(Please note that there may be cheaper options out there but this one offers a fast, reliable service).
If you do decide to add Internet to your property features please contact Tammerly tammerly.r@accomholidays.com / 4385 9564 to pass on Wi-Fi connection details.
Marketing News:
Still a High Demand for Wi-Fi Internet
Since we launched this call-out a number of new properties have opted to include Wi-Fi for guests and this is proving to be a big plus when it comes to bookings and happy guests. All properties who do offer the service will now be listed under the Wi-Fi tick box on our website's quick search.
Wi-Fi will need to be added at the owner’s discretion (just as many of you have done with FOXTEL) however we can recommend one with a large download limit such as:
Telstra $93/mth for 200GB download on 24mth contract OR Telstra $99/mth for 200GB download on uncontracted
(Please note that there may be cheaper options out there but this one offers a fast, reliable service).
If you do decide to add Internet to your property features please contact Tammerly tammerly.r@accomholidays.com / 4385 9564 to pass on Wi-Fi connection details.
Marketing News:
STAYZ Priority Placements WILL Guarantee enquiry and bookings + special offer:
We cannot stress enough the importance and value-for-money that a STAYZ priority listing bares. Valid for one month, a STAYZ Priority Listing runs from the first day of the month through to the end of the month and guarantees your property in the top 6 properties advertised on page one of your suburb search on stayz.com.au.
SPECIAL OFFER: Accom Holidays strongly believes in the importance and value of STAYZ Priority Listing therefore we are happy to subsidise 50% of the cost of a Priority Listing for every single property, every single time you choose to run it.
SPECIAL OFFER: Accom Holidays strongly believes in the importance and value of STAYZ Priority Listing therefore we are happy to subsidise 50% of the cost of a Priority Listing for every single property, every single time you choose to run it.
Interested?? Please contact Tammerly ASAP: tammerly.r@accomholidays.com / 4385 9564 for available Priority slots.
Updating STAYZ & HomeAway Calendars and Bookings
We aim to update STAYZ and HomeAway calendars on a fortnightly basis, however with over 85 calendars to check and update one-by-one, these calendars are only a guide for enquirers. Last minute bookings and cancellations cannot be amended on the calendars instantly. For owners who wish to track upcoming bookings, we encourage to you call or email us anytime for an update. Your monthly statements also display a list of upcoming bookings.
The Sales Market:
If you would like a market appraisal or to discuss the current market please contact Brent: 0410 872 541 / brentpilkington@mcgrath.com.au
See you next month!
- The team at Accom Holidays
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