Should I Rent Out My Family Home? Is Renting My Property A Good Idea?
Renting my property…
If you are reading this blog, you’ve probably already decided on renting out your property, but if it’s your family home, you may have some reservations.
This is reasonable and we understand. Your home is probably your greatest asset – and holds memories and sentimental value.
At We Love Rentals, we’re a rentals only property management company servicing Perth. we have a wealth of experience with letting and managing clients’ rental properties, whether it’s a home or investment.
We would like to help make this process easier for you – starting with answering some common questions and concerns in this blog.
First, let’s walk through three key considerations for deciding whether to rent your family home. These include:
- your circumstances and expectations
- the risks involved
- how your property manager can help you manage those risks.
1. What are your circumstances for renting your property?
In these situations, the first thing we would do is consider your circumstances.
Key questions we ask about a rental property:
- Why are you considering renting out your home?
- Is your property new (or newly renovated), a ‘renovator’s delight’ or somewhere in between?
- Have you just moved out, or has it already been tenanted?
- Are you planning to move back there in the future – if so, when is this likely to be?
What are your expectations for your rental property?
Finally, we ask what level of change to the condition of the property are you willing to accept?
Do you:
- Plan to renovate (or to demolish and rebuild) at the end of the tenancy?
- Love your home but accept that wear and tear will occur if it is used as rental property?
- Expect your home to be returned to you ‘as is’ (in mint condition) at the end of the tenancy?
Who should rent out their family home?
The short answer is: it depends.
As you can see above, different circumstances and expectations will affect the decision to rent – and it also depends on the attachment you have to your home.
One important factor is your expectations about the condition of the property.
If you have always planned to rent in order to downsize, or plan to renovate later, you may be less concerned about how tenants treat your property. But if your situation matches any of the following, you may find it harder to rent out your family home:
- You’ve been forced to move by unexpected circumstances. It can be an emotional decision to let strangers live in your home.
- You’ve just had your home newly renovated and landscaped. You may be concerned with every maintenance detail, from pruning the roses on time, to keeping the garage floor spotless.
- You’re going on an extended holiday and considering renting the property. You may expect it back exactly as you left it. This can be difficult to achieve even with the best of tenants.
While most wear and tear can be rectified, if you lease your property, be mindful that things will change.
Make sure you get considered advice about whether your expectations can be met, before you decide what to do.
2. What are the risks when renting my property?
There are risks when renting out any property. If it is your home, the emotional investment is higher, so be cautious.
For example, a tenant may:
- have lower maintenance standards than you
- carelessly cause damage
- cause extra wear and tear on the property – e.g. a large family, pets, or tenants working from home
- not pay rent on time
3. How can a property manager help you to manage those risks?
At We Love Rentals, we’re experienced in dealing with any issue you might encounter – and we care about your home like you do.
We also know the tenancy laws that protect you as a landlord and how to apply them, while keeping tenants happy so they look after your home too.
What steps will we take to manage risks for you?
First, we’ll establish your ‘risk profile’:
- Are you relaxed about the property’s condition, or expecting your dream home to be preserved as-is?
- Would you benefit from the advice of a specialist insurance broker on landlord’s insurance?
Then, we’ll find the best tenants for you, and:
- Strictly screen applicants using industry tenancy databases to ensure they cared for any past rental properties.
- Prepare a detailed property condition report before the tenant moves in.
- Ensure that lease wording reflects all your requirements.
- Encourage tenants to use preferred payment arrangements.
- Set out standards for property inspections and inspect regularly.
- Act immediately if tenants are not keeping the property up to scratch.
- Manage rent collection and follow up urgently if rent is late!
We recommend you read our very popular blog post explaining property management fees in Perth, WA. This ensures you know what to ask when it comes to these fees, so you’re not paying over the odds.
What are the next steps to help you maximise your investment property?
If you feel comfortable that renting out your family home is right for you, consult a property manager first.
We’d love to help you. If you think our team of specialist property managers can be of assistance, call Sarah Leahy on (08) 6254 6300 or click here to request a free appraisal today!
Brendan Leahy
I am the licensee of We Love Rentals and provide support to the team whenever needed. I began my real estate career over two decades years ago. While I loved seeing people achieve their dream of a new home for their family, I kept thinking that there had to be a better way of doing real estate – one with respect for the long term benefit of the client and one that focuses on customer satisfaction.
