Thinking of taking the plunge into buy-to-let market, or improving your investment in a property?

If you're thinking of taking the plunge into the buy-to-let market or improving your investment in a property, I have answered some landlord's most frequently asked questions. 

1. "How much rent should I charge?"

The maximum rent you can charge is ultimately determined by three key factors:

• Supply of homes for rent
• Demand for rental properties
• Quality of your property.

Word of warning! Don't be drawn in by over-inflated numbers.

The reality is that rent values change all the time so there is no hard and fast rule. It's important to take advice from your agent.

2. "How long should it take to let my property?"

Generally, you should have enquiries within the first week of marketing your rental property. Viewings will then typically take place in the first 10-14 days. If you haven't had an offer within two weeks, take action on one or more of the following:

• Fix any niggling issues that might be deterring tenants
• Spruce up your property inside and out
• Be flexible - perhaps think about accepting pets
• Reconsider the asking rent. 

3. "Should I allow pets in my property?"

You are under no obligation to accept a tenant with a pet so the choice is entirely yours. However, you will narrow your potential market by not allowing them in your property. The trend for tenants with pets is most definitely on the rise. Remember that if you own a sectional title unit, the body corporate ruling on pets needs to be adhered to.

4. "What do I need to do to prepare my property?"

Your property needs to be fit to rent from day one. That means making sure it is in good repair and working order and ready to be lived in. It's worth noting that if you are letting a fully furnished unit, you can only take the inventory once the property is 100 percent ready to let. It must then be checked and agreed upon by both you and your tenant before being signed and dated.

5. "Do students trash rental properties?"

Letting your property to students is often no riskier than letting it to young families in terms of damage. The key with all lettings, and especially those to students, is to prepare the property well. Here are some top tips to help you out:

• Buy strong, durable furniture - no flat-packed furniture or sofas with silly legs
• Manage tenants carefully - keep a light touch, but make sure you are somewhere in their subconscious!
• Don't leave everything to check out - conduct detailed inventories and inspections
• Address issues early - involve parents or guarantors if damage or cleanliness issues need addressing.

6. "How do I assess damage?"

There are four issues to consider when assessing damage at the end of a tenancy:

• Fair wear and tear
• Betterment - In other words, you cannot use your tenant's deposit to replace old and worn items
• Evidence - and this is where a thorough inventory and ongoing inspection is vital
• Average life span - after all, carpets and furnishings do have a natural 'shelf life'.

You may deduct money from the damages deposit at the end of a tenancy to cover damaged or missing items. However, this is subject to strict rules laid down by the lease agreement which is in line with the Rental Act. In law, the deposit remains the property of the tenant. As long as you are making reasonable deductions, backed by evidence, then you should be confident in your assessment of damage.

7. "Who maintains the garden?"

It is up to you to decide who maintains the garden. However, it is typically the tenant who is responsible for general maintenance so remember to include images of the garden in the inspection/ inventory. You may want to consider:

• Employing a gardener - the cost can often be recovered in the rent
• Sharing the load with your tenant - you could commit to taking care of trees and shrubs while the tenant looks after the lawn

At the end of the day, tenants cannot be held responsible if one or more plants die.

8. "What makes a good investment property?"

That is the million rand question! Follow these top tips to give yourself the best chance of bagging a good investment property:

• Do your homework and research the market thoroughly
• Ensure your property will produce a steady income stream
• Understand the running costs of owning a rental property
• Do the maths - be confident that you can cover any bond payments if the property becomes vacant. A final point: consider appointing a good letting agent and property manager. It can be difficult to view a property as an investment rather than your personal home.