If you are renting for the first time it is easy to be intimidated, thinking that you don’t have a chance against others with a long and impeccable record. While it is true that you may have to work harder to prove yourself, it is not impossible. There are many great ways you can prove that you will be a model tenant without having to rely on your rental history.

Here is how you can prove that you will be a model tenant despite having no rental history.

Show you can pay the rent

Prove you have good financials

The first thing you should do is provide proof that you can manage your money and have your financials under control. Being able to show that you can regularly keep up with payments goes a long way in getting your foot through the door.

You can start by printing out your bank statements that show you meeting regular payments. These could be payments you have consistently made on a car loan, a mortgage, a payment plan, or even just your phone bill. They will show consistency of payment over time which proves to a property manager and landlord that you have good financial habits.

Provide a guarantor

A guarantor is there to back you up in case something goes wrong during your tenancy. Often, they will be your parents and will step in to help you pay the rent in these cases. Adding a guarantor could go a long way in helping the success of your application.

Your guarantor will need to complete an application form, provide identification and proof of income. This is because they will now be equally responsible for looking after the property and rent. Just make sure to mention on the lease that they will not be living at the property.

Show proof of income

Income is a major factor in determining the success of your application. You will need to provide copies of your payslips to prove that you have the income to meet the weekly rent.

Generally, a property manager will look to ensure that the rent doesn’t cost more than 30% of your total weekly income. This is considered the limit before you enter rental distress, which could result in missed payments and unnecessary problems.

Offer to use direct debit

Committing to automatic payments tells a property manager that you are more likely to pay your rent on time. While it isn’t usually required, offering to pay your rent using a direct debit system can help to improve your odds. Paying the rent on time is often one of the most important things to property managers and landlords, so showing this commitment can put you over the line.

Show you can look after the property

Ask people who know you to vouch for you

Proving that you can look after a property as a first time renter can be tough, however there are still some things you can do to show proof. If you have long-time friends or housemates who you have lived with you can ask them to vouch for you, providing a testimonial as to how well you looked after the home. You could also ask your boss or colleague to vouch for you, attesting to how well you look after your workspace. This could be either verbal or written.

If you are selling your previous home you should provide a number for the agent you sold your house through. They can vouch for the presentation of your home when it was open for inspections and upon other viewings.

Get some character references

You will find, when applying to rent a property, you will be required to provide references. While most who have rented before can use their previous property manager or landlord as a reference, you will need to find another source. To demonstrate your trustworthiness and responsibility choose co-workers, employers, coaches or mentors. They can tell your potential landlord that you will be a great tenant based on their experience working with you.

Conclusion

Securing a great rental property as a first time renter is not impossible. There are other ways that you can show that you will be a fantastic tenant. So, don’t feel like you can’t go for the properties you love just because you haven’t rented before. As long as you can afford it, have great references, and have your finances under control you still have a high chance of securing it.

If you want to find a great property have a look at our listings here.

The post How To Get A Rental Property With No Rental History appeared first on Link Living.

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time. Welcoming your new furry best friend into your life is a lot of fun. Of course, there are many challenges you will face in preparing your pup to integrate into your home. Challenges like training, puppy-proofing, and ensuring they get a lot of exercise.

For those of us who live in apartments, some of these challenges can be accentuated, especially potty training and desensitisation. While it may be slightly more difficult it is not impossible to raise a healthy, happy, obedient puppy in an apartment. Here are 6 tips on how you can make it happen.

Get a lot of exercise

Puppies need a lot of exercise. You should take them for walks at least twice a day. Otherwise, they will have a lot of excess energy that they will take out on your furniture and belongings. A tired dog is a happy dog. If you can, take your puppy for a jog or a run around the dog park. Dogs need at least two high-intensity exercise sessions a week. You should also keep them mentally stimulated too. Teach them some new tricks every now and then, this will create a strong bond between you as they learn.

Get the right breed

A key factor in finding the perfect dog for apartment living is the breed. Some dogs are better suited to living in apartments than others. But it isn’t the size that determines this. It is their capacity to chew and need to run around that you will need to focus on. Each dog breed has different needs, and some will be quite content to lounge around all day.

Some dog breeds that are great for apartments include:

• Corgis
• Greyhounds
• Bichon Frise
• English Bulldog
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Pug
• Chihuahua
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Dachshund
• Boston Terrier
• Conton de Tulear
• Maltese
• Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Toy Fox Terrier
• Basenji

Desensitise

One key problem dog owners face with dogs in apartments is their desire to bark at every noise that startles them. Whether this is a siren they hear, a vacuum cleaner, or even a baby crying. Fortunately, there is a way to stop this. Playing a desensitisation track like this one on YouTube can help them get used to these noises. Start the track off quietly and slowly increase the volume as they get used to the sound. This should reduce their propensity to bark at these noises whenever they hear them.

Add a balcony potty

Say you live on the 12^th floor of a large apartment building. Taking your puppy up and down the lift every hour while they are desperate to relive themselves is going to get exhausting. Puppies haven’t yet developed the ability to hold on for a few hours like their adult counterparts, so you will need a new solution. This is where balcony potties come in.

Balcony potties tend to be a small pad of fake grass with drainage. It works in a similar way to a cat litter box (yes you will need to pick up after your dog). These provide a comfortable spot for your dog to do their business without you having to run them down the lift or stairs every day.

When potty training your puppy you should also get them into a bathroom routine so you can be ready to let them out when they need to go.

Puppy proof everything

Puppies will eat anything. They will also get into anything they can stick their noses into. To stop them from eating anything you don’t want them too you will need to latch doors with food or other toxic materials, cover your trash, and form a blockade around hiding spaces you don’t want them to get into.

You should get down onto their level before you pick them up to see if you can find any areas you may have missed that they can get into. Eventually, when they get larger and more obedient you will be able to relax a little, but for the time being it is better to be safe than sorry.

Conclusion

It is extremely common for apartment owners to want to have a puppy. Fortunately, it is more accessible than ever, with great breeds suited to apartment life and some cool gadgets to help. Make getting your new puppy an easy experience by following these 6 tips. If you need further help acclimating your new puppy to apartment life contact Link Living today.

The post 6 tips To Prepare Your Puppy For Apartment Life appeared first on Link Living.

Keeping your investment property in good condition is an important aspect of owning an investment property. Not only does it attract and retain great tenants, but it also ensures that your property is well looked after. A part of this is preparing your property for the different seasons it will face.

Across the 2019-2020 summertime, Australia has faced harsh conditions. We have seen fires, drought, and flash-flooding all within a few months. Whether these conditions will repeat themselves next summer, or not, it is important to prepare your property.

We have created this guide to help you prepare your property for summer 2020-2021.

Smoke Alarms

It is extremely important that your property meets the minimum requirements for smoke alarms. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that the property meets the legislated minimum requirements. If it doesn’t, you could be fined thousands of dollars, and in some states, it is considered a criminal offense.

As a landlord, to keep your smoke alarms up to date, you have the right to access the property after giving the tenant required notice. From there you should follow the state guidelines on smoke alarms, keeping the property up to date on the legislated requirements.

While your tenants are responsible for replacing batteries in battery-operated smoke alarms, hard-wired smoke alarm backup batteries will need to be replaced by the landlord. If a tenant is physically unable to replace a battery, they should alert the landlord as soon as possible. To help your property meet the minimum requirements for smoke alarms, talk to your property manager, they will provide you with assistance.

Clean out your gutters

A build-up of sticks, leaves, and other debris in gutters can be a fire hazard. The block-up can also stop your drains and gutters from working properly during heavy rain. All of this could cause problems in the long-term. From gutter sag, mildew, and water damage, you could be in for an expensive repair.

If your investment is in a fire prone area clearing out your gutters is one way you can work to make sure the property is safe through bushfire season.

Have a plan with your tenants

Now is a great time to plan for the year ahead, and a part of that planning involves your existing tenants. With many tenancy agreements ending on a yearly basis, it is now a good time to reflect on whether you want them to re-sign the lease.

If you are happy with your tenants, you should talk to your property manager about what could get them to re-sign the lease. You should discuss the following three things with your tenants:

• Are there any repairs or maintenance items needing attendance?
• Look at the rent, compare it with what is currently on the market.
• Discuss increasing the lease term. Sometimes, with a long-term lease, there is a small rent increase written in to keep up with market prices. It is also common for the rent to remain below the market to recognise and reward a great tenant.

Keeping great tenants in the long term has many benefits. It allows you to avoid the costs of searching for new tenants in advertising and vacancy costs. To truly maximise your return, it is a great idea to have good tenants stick around.

Maintain the garden

Before the summer heat sets in it is a good idea to give your garden a little bit of care. Do a bit of weeding, re-lay mulch, and add some new colourful flowers that give a bit of life to the garden. Now is also a good time to give the windows a bit of a clean, and check if the decks or balconies need repairs. With this, the property will be ready for summer.

Consider insulation

Installing insulation could be one way you can secure a higher weekly rent. While it is a cost for you, the benefits it brings to your tenants could be worth a slight rent increase. Tenants will no longer have to spend as much energy heating or cooling the property, reducing their electricity bills.

If you are considering installing insulation into your property you should talk to your property manager to ensure this is the right approach.

Check the property is not being sub-leased

There are many investment properties rented to students who, over the summer holidays, head home. Some may want to sub-lease the property while they are away. However, to do so they will need your written approval to sublease to someone else. It is a good idea to understand who is living in your investment property, and ensuring your tenant is not subleasing without your permission.

Conclusion

Summertime is the best time to prepare for the year ahead. As the new year starts you can have a solid plan in place for your investment property and its future. It is also important to prepare for the weather summertime brings. If you want more advice on how to get the most out of your investment property you should talk to Link Living.

The post How To Prepare Your Investment Property For Summer appeared first on Link Living.

Routine inspections can seem intimidating. A property manager coming around to your home, looking through each room and judging the state of the property seems nerve-racking. But, if you follow our checklist the whole process will be very smooth, and easy.

How often can I expect an inspection?

Inspections generally only happen once every three months. Your property manager will provide you with adequate notice to allow you to prepare for the inspection to ensure it runs smoothly. When given notice you should receive an inspection date and time slot. You do not have to be present at the property for the inspection. If you are not home the property manager will use their agency copy of the keys to enter the property.

What is the purpose of a routine inspection?

Rental inspections are designed to identify problems in the property that could require maintenance and repair while ensuring that the place is being well looked after. The property manager is not judging how tidy your house is.

An inspection may include the following:

• Checking to ensure the property is being maintained and is in a clean and tidy condition
• That gardens and yards are maintained, mowed, watered and weeded.
• Checking to ensure that the property has not been damaged in any way
• That there are not more people living in the property than were listed on the lease agreement.
• Making sure there are no pets living at the property unless the lease agreement allows for it.
• And finally, that all maintenance issues identified by the tenant can be looked at.

Generally, the property manager will simply walk through the property and take note of any problems they will need to deal with back in the office.

How to prepare for an inspection?

Before we get into the preparation checklist there are a couple of things you should do before every inspection to ensure that it goes smoothly. Firstly, you must notify your property manager of any changes to your contact details, bank details, phone number, or email address. Secondly, if you have pets, keep them secured throughout the inspection. Finally, note down any repair or maintenance problems you notice leading up to the inspections and fill out the necessary maintenance request forms.

After completing these three points you can begin preparing for the inspection.

Preparation Checklist:

Here is a simple checklist you can follow to ensure you have prepared the property for inspection.

Living room

• Lights – do they all work? Consider cleaning your light switches with a cloth to remove any residue or left over prints.
• Walls – take note of any small wear and tear cracks. Take a look at the bottom edging of your wall and see if there is any rising dampness.
• Floorboards – check for creaks by walking over the floorboards. You should also check to see if any have started coming up at the edges.

Kitchen and bathroom

• Sinks and plumbing – Dripping taps can often add a lot to your utility bills. Often all you need to do is replace a washer and the leak is fixed. You should also listen for any strange sounds and check under your sink for possible leaks.
• Appliances – All appliances that were included in the property should be cleaned. This includes ovens, dishwashers, stovetops, and range hoods.
• Tiles and surfaces – Mop and vacuum the tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. Clean away any debris and scrub the tiles clean.
• Toilets – Clean around the toilets and bin areas to ensure they are tidy. You should also give the toilet a clean too.
• Cupboards – Ensure that any food residue is cleaned. Check between the hinges and joints of shelves and cupboard doors.

Bedroom

• Walls and floors – Look at the state of your walls, check for cracks or other wear and tear and note it down. If there are stains in the carpets, look for a carpet cleaner to try to remove them.
• Windows and doors – Open up your windows to air out rooms across the house. Check the handles and locks to see if any need repair.
• Clean up the room – While your property manager isn’t likely to hang around your bedroom too much, it is a good idea to keep your bedroom tidy to leave a good impression.

The property’s exterior

• Cobwebs – sweep around the exterior of your property, clearing up any cobwebs before the inspection.
• Doors – Clean down your fly screens and check the locks and handles to see if they are functioning properly.
• Garage – test the function of the door to see that it works properly.
• Gates and garden – Mow and weed the garden to make it look tidy. If there are gates or fences, inspect them to ensure that nothing is broken.

Conclusion

Now is your opportunity to raise any issues you may be having with the property. Your property manager will be able to see them for themselves and will help determine the best course of action to avoid any problems in the future.

If you are looking for a great property to rent, run by the highest rated property managers in Brisbane, you should check out our listings here.

The post Routine Inspection Checklist: How To Prepare For An Inspection appeared first on Link Living.

It can be tempting to attempt to sneak your pet into your property to avoid a no-pets policy. After all, you are great at keeping a secret, and can clean up all the mess they make or hide it. They won’t be that loud at all, so no one will find out! Besides, your property manager doesn’t pop around that often and they won’t ever find out. Wrong.

Sneaking a pet into your apartment under a no-pet policy is a bad idea. Here are 5 reasons why.

1. You could be evicted

Often no-pet policies are in place for a reason. Other tenants may be allergic, or the landlord’s insurance may not cover pets, or the landlord doesn’t want to deal with potential wear and tear. No-pet policies are annoying for pet owners but sneaking your pet in is not the answer.

Say you do it anyway. You sign the lease saying no pets, and you sneak your dog or cat into the property. Well, now there are very reasonable grounds to evict you. If you get caught, you will likely get caught, you’ll be evicted, forced to move, and have a black mark on your record. As you can see in this article here, this could affect your chances at other properties.

But eviction isn’t the worst-case scenario. If your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover pets, and your dog bites someone else while on the property, you and your landlord might be sued, in response, your landlord may take you to court to recoup their costs. This scenario, while unlikely, can happen.

2. Your neighbours may give it away

You may think you are being sneaky, but when you are breaking the rules you can’t always trust that your neighbours will be happy about it. More than likely one will be a good friend of the landlord and may report any evidence of rule-breaking. It isn’t unlikely that your neighbours will see your furry friend poking their head up in the window, or catch you taking your pet out for a walk. It is much easier to be a good neighbour and stick to the rules.

3. There are extra costs with owning a pet

Pets can be expensive, and the cost isn’t all just on you. There is a lot of wear and tear associated with pets. Even the most well-behaved pet can be quite destructive. Wearing down carpets, scratching doors and curtains. Not only that, but fur will get everywhere. It will be deep in the carpets, on the top of fans, throughout cupboards and trapped in air filters.

When you move out, even if you have completed a spotless clean, the landlord will still need to go through, cleaning everything. A future tenant could possibly be allergic to dog or cat dander, making it necessary for the landlord to shell out for a very deep clean of the dwelling. This clean doesn’t come cheap and is done out of the pocket of the Landlord.

Yes, extra costs for keeping a pet could seem steep. But the cleaning costs are necessary to ensure a harmonious end to a tenancy.   

4. Your pet may give you away

You might be the best at keeping secrets, however, your pet doesn’t know any better. If they begin barking, howling, you may want to reconsider sneaking them in. Dogs or cats making a lot of noise in the night, or during the day while you are away at work, will get you caught out fast. Annoyed neighbours may complain to your landlord or property manager. And yes, Cats can be noisy too.

Noise isn’t the only giveaway, during inspections, pet hair and the smell of pets can be obvious no matter how much you clean. Claw marks on the curtains or walls, or even on your own furniture will tell a property manager that you have snuck in a pet. Any experienced property manager will have dealt with this before, so they know the signs.

5. Its not fair on your pet

Pets need access to the outside world in order to live happy lives. They need walks and exposure to new surroundings and sunlight. It is detrimental to their health and wellbeing to be locked up inside all the time. Even indoor cats need some time in the sun. Animals can also suffer from mental health problems as much as humans and keeping them locked up inside will negatively affect their health.

Conclusion

Sneaking your pets around may seem like a good idea at first. After all, pets are one of the family, and their presence makes our lives better. But after a few weeks the constant paranoia associated with getting caught will put a hamper on the novelty and fun of owning a pet. It will ultimately cause more stress than it is worth.  

We have covered only a few of the many scenarios that could happen when you sneak a pet into your rental property. If you really want to have a pet find a property without a no-pets ban, or if your current dwelling doesn’t have a ban, talk to the property manager about your desire to get a pet. They will ask you to complete a pet application form which will be forwarded to the landlord for approval. If you live in a property with a body corp, you will also be required to complete a pet application form for approval from the committee. It may seem like a lot but it is worth it for the stress it avoids.

For our available properties check out our listings page here. If you are a property owner and need an experienced property manager for your property, talk to Link Living today.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Hide Your Pet From Your Landlord appeared first on Link Living.

Edging into the New Year, Brisbane has set itself up for a positive 2020, finishing 2019 on stable footings. Having weathered through the housing bubble crash of southern states in 2019, Brisbane’s recent stability has led it to become a popular spot for investors and interstate migrants, boosting the state’s housing market.

Despite the price drops in the southern states through 2019, Brisbane has still remained the most affordable east coast capital city. However, Brisbane still has seen some changes, especially in housing rent, before the New year.

Median Rent

Across Brisbane, the median rent has been relatively stable in December 2019. However, there has been some shift in houses. Apartments in Brisbane have seen no change this month. They remain at a stable median rent of $400 per week. Houses, meanwhile, have seen a slight bump in their median rent. In Brisbane, houses have increased by 2.3% putting them at a median rent of $450 per year. This will be good news for investors as a positive trend into 2020 could see increased potential rental yields.

Price Per Room

Average price per room across Brisbane saw a larger shift than median rent through December 2019. Both apartments and houses saw a shift when compared year on year to December 2018. Apartments saw a year on year decrease of 1.6%, down to a $221 average per room. Houses, meanwhile, saw an increase year on year of 6.6%. This puts houses at an average price per room of $147.

Time on Market

The average time on market has decreased across Brisbane on a year on year basis from December 2018. Both houses and apartments are renting faster. Apartments are renting 6% faster than last year, with an average time on market of 21 days. Houses are only renting 1% faster than December 2018, with an average time on market of 22 days.

Compared with last months’ performance there has been no change for apartments. Across both December and November 2019, apartments have remained stable. Houses have seen a 4% decrease compared with November in average time on market.

Conclusion

Brisbane has maintained its place as the most affordable east coast state capital. While this is unlikely to change, the stability that Brisbane has seen across 2019 is a pleasant surprise not replicated in the southern states. Throughout 2019, Brisbane has bucked much of the national trends and remained below the national averages through median rent and price per room.

Despite this, Brisbane has still seen some great increases, improving rental yields, while keeping investors and renters happy. Brisbane is truly a unique city that keeps all happy. If you are looking to invest in Brisbane you need a great property manager. Talk to Link Living today!  

The post Brisbane Rental Market Snapshot December 2019 appeared first on Link Living.

Often, for many who are renting or looking to rent, the behind the scenes for the approval process may be somewhat of a mystery. Unless you have worked in property management, or know someone who has, you may not be aware of the exact process most property managers go through before accepting or declining your application.

While some property managers may have a slightly different process, most applications can take between 24-72 hours for a decision. This will vary from property to property and from application to application.

Why does the application take over 24 hours to approve?

When you submit your application there will be a wide range of checks taking place to determine whether you are right for the property or not. Sometimes these tests can take between 48-72 hours to complete, other times they are very quick. These checks can include:

• Checking tenancy databases to ensure they are aware of past issues regarding rental payments or property damage.
• Ensuring that you have fully completed the application.
• Verifying your employment status or the proof of regular payments including Centrelink.
• Checking your previous living arrangements.
• Determining whether you can afford the property or not (based on 30% of your weekly income).
• Checking your references. Often, difficulty contacting references is the reason the application could take more than 48 hours.
• Checking your emergency contact details.
• Incomplete application forms – needing to chase up the appliant for their employers contact details or previous agents details

After these checks have taken place, the property manager will send a shortlist of potential applicants to the owner for approval. The property manager will also offer a suggestion as to who they believe will make the best tenants. Ultimately, the final decision comes down to the owner, they will determine whether you are successful or not.

How are applications accepted?

If you are successful with your application the property manager will contact you almost immediately. This is where the process begins to speed up. They will generally send an email with a note telling you that your application has been successful.

After this, you will receive all relevant tenancy documents and the lease agreement for the property. For apartments, you should also receive the body corporate rules surrounding the property, its facilities, and emergency information. The property manager will also ask for the rental bond and rent in advance to be paid as soon as possible, often with a deadline.

You may also be invited to a sign-up meeting to sign the lease. With Link Living, you will instead receive a link to sign the lease online, saving you time.

What if I am not accepted?

If you are not accepted, you may receive an email from the agent stating that your application has not been accepted. Of course, you will want to know why, however, there isn’t a legal requirement for the agent to provide a reason so you may not receive an answer unless you first ask. Send a polite email to the property manager asking whether they can let you know why you were not successful. Reasons you may not be accepted could include:

• Another applicant was successful
• You did not meet the income requirements
• The terms you offered were not suitable for the landlord

Good attitude is important to this process

The entire process of searching, enquiring and applying for properties can be stressful. It can be especially disheartening if you are not accepted to a property that you loved. Despite this, it is important to be polite and friendly with the property manager. Showing that you are excited about the property and are friendly can give you the foot in the door you need to be successful.

Approach the entire rental experience with a positive attitude and you will have a better experience overall.

Paying the bond plus rent in advance

Once you are successful you will need to pay bond plus two weeks’ rent. Generally, the money will be required within 24 to 48 hours in order to secure the property and finalise the application. Bond will be no more than the equivalent of 4 weeks rent in Queensland unless the property costs more than $700 per week to rent.

If you need assistance covering the costs of your rental bond you can seek specialised loans designed to help renters with their bond. Often these loans have good terms that can allow you to ultimately move when you need it.

Conclusion

The most important thing you can do during the application process for any rental property is to keep a positive attitude. Remain friendly and polite throughout the process. If you haven’t heard a response in 48 hours a follow up email which includes the address of the property is a great way to find out some answers. Often if it is taking over 48 hours we are just trying to contact your references.

For further advice around rental properties and property management check out our blog. Or, if you are currently looking for a place to rent in Brisbane, have a look at our listings here.

The post What Happens After You Apply To Rent A Property? appeared first on Link Living.

Natural disasters can happen at any time. While it is important for us to have a plan on how we defend our homes and property, it is equally important to have a plan regarding our animals.

Floods and fires are common across Queensland. So, knowing what disaster management plans are in place and how that applies to your pets or livestock and horses is important. Knowing the plan, and preparing will help you reduce risk to your loved ones, human or otherwise.

Plan around pets

In Queensland, many temporary evacuation shelters will not allow you to take your pets with you. It is important to check with your local council before an emergency to determine whether this may be the case. If you cannot take your pets to temporary evacuation shelters you should plan to take your pet to alternative accommodation away from the disaster area.

For emergencies prepare a disaster kit for your pet. This should contain pet food, registration and vaccination details, bedding, and other equipment or medicine they may need. You should also keep a recent photo of your pet with you, on your phone or printed. A photo can help determine that you are the pet’s owner.

Queensland State guidelines urge owners to ensure that their pets remain up to date on all vaccinations. Your pets should also be microchipped and the address on the microchip up to date to ensure you can be contacted.

Livestock and horses

As livestock and horses are much harder to manage than small pets you will need to have a separate plan for them. Before an emergency happens, you should contact relocation sites to arrange emergency accommodation away from the disaster area. You should also arrange access to suitable transportation ahead of time to transport your livestock and horses.

In the case where you cannot move your animals off your property, you should move them to a low-risk area that has a few days’ worth of water and food. Ensure that your horses are microchipped. The National Livestock Identification System will be used in some cases to track down agricultural animals and distribute emergency fodder following disasters.

Wildlife

Unfortunately, Wildlife cannot be evacuated in an emergency and rely on their natural habitat for survival. So, the majority of animal emergency plans focus on assisting wildlife by providing food, water, and shelter. There are organisations who provide this relief to wild animals; however, they rely on charitable donations to function.

In Queensland, the RSPCA QLD, among others, will take charge of wildlife protection. If you see any sick or injured animals in need of assistance you should call 1300 264 625.

Conclusion

Whether you are renting or are an owner, our homes are important to us. When disaster strikes it is important that we follow the State disaster emergency plan in order to better protect ourselves, our families, our homes and our pets. Following the guidelines will allow our emergency services to operate to the best of their abilities, minimising risk towards them in what is already a risky situation.

As a property owner, when disaster strikes you want to know that your tenants are safe and the state of your property. During this time, you want someone you can count on by your side. Switch to Link Living for a property manager who can provide you the best advice and will help you manage your property at all times.

The post What To Do With Animals In An Emergency appeared first on Link Living.

As the weather continues to get hotter it is important to look out for the furry member of the family. Like humans, cats and dogs need to keep cool during the summer months. Fortunately, there are many great, creative, ways to keep your pets cool and prevent heatstroke.

To help your furry friend here are 5 ways you can keep your pet cool during summer.

1. Air conditioning

A common choice is using your air conditioning to keep your pets cool. This may be surprising to some, but a large number of pet owners choose to leave the air conditioner on for their pet while they are away from home. A study in the UK found that 52% of UK pet owners left the heat running for their pet when they go out. Some even left the TV or radio on so that their pet didn’t feel lonely during the owner’s absence.

Air conditioning is a great option if you have energy-efficient systems and can leave your pet in the same room as the air conditioner. It will keep your pet cool while you are away and reduce the risk of heatstroke. Just ensure that you keep lots of water in the room with them.

For those who don’t want to leave the air conditioner running all day, there are some great, creative options to keeping your pets cool.

2. Creating cool spaces

Creating a cool space in your home can go a long way to helping your pet deal with the heat. Use tiles, water, fans, shade, and more to create a space your pet can go to and rest when they get hot. Tiles offer a cool surface for your pets to lie down on, so try to keep a tiled space cool for your pets to enjoy during the hotter months.

3. Cooling mats

Cooling mats are great alternatives for your pets than sleeping on the tiles. As summer kicks in, dog and cat beds can become too hot for your pet to lie in. Animals then tend to lie on the tiles. However, for older pets especially, this can be hard on their joints. An excellent alternative is a cooling mat or bed.

Cooling mats come in many different forms, offering a cool, comfortable place for your pet to sleep. There are three types of cooling mat:

• Water filled mats: you fill these with water, and they stay cool for around 5-7 hours. They work well, however, they are not a good option for chewers. They can also leak or get mildewy.
• Pressure activated cooling pads: These contain gel-based pads that are designed to absorb your pet’s heat, cooling them down.
• Phase-changing cooling pads: These mats are filled with cold packs. Often, these will stay cool for longer than other cooling mat alternatives.

4. Water play

When you are home, water play is a great way to have fun while keeping cool.

For dogs and cats, misting is great for keeping them cool. Use a light spray to mist around your cat or dog to give them some cool relief. Cats and dogs release heat through their paws so keeping those paws cool with water can provide relief. Splash around with them in baby pools or use the hose (water restrictions permitting) on concreted surfaces to provide a cool, wet space.

While cats may be more difficult with water play, some love splashing around with running water or small bowls of water. Providing these opportunities, if your cat enjoys it, during summer is a great way to keep them cool.

5. Cool treats

Give your cat or dog cool treats through summer like food in ice cubes! Play fetch games or reward them after some exercise with frozen treats. Both cats and dogs will love playing with these, often licking them up until they are gone, cooling themselves down in the process. Cats will also often play with them with their paws, offering cooling to their paws.

Pet popsicles are really easy to make, simply whip up a combination of your furry friend’s favourite foods and let them have a ball licking up the cold treat.

Other tips

While these are some great ways to keep your pet cool there are some things as pet owners we need to avoid in order to keep our pets comfortable during summer.

For dog owners, ensure that you do not go for walks during the day. Dogs have sensitive paws that can result in them being easily burnt by the hot ground. If you can’t go outside on a long walk without shoes on neither can your dog.

Light skinned dogs and cats are susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. You should keep them indoors and out of the sun during summer to protect their skin. If they must go outside, ensure that you put sunscreen on their nose and other exposed skin to reduce the risk.

It can be very tempting to shave your long-haired dog or cat for summer; however, this could mess up their natural cooling mechanisms. Some dogs have double coats. This is a coat with two layers, one designed to keep them warm (which they shed before summer) and another designed to keep them cool and protect from the sun. By shaving your long-haired animal, you will remove both coats, forcing them to regrow the warmer coat first. Instead, talk to a professional groomer to ensure your dog is getting the correct haircut for the temperature and breed.  

Conclusion

Pets are a part of the family, and just like we do for any family member, we should watch out for their health. Look out for signs of heat stress in your animals, big or small, to ensure they remain healthy through this summer. Follow these tips and your dog or cat should remain cool throughout the hot days ahead.

For further advice for property investors regarding your property, talk to Link Living today or check out our Instagram!

The post Keeping Your Pets Cool This Summer appeared first on Link Living.

Brisbane has continued its run of stable rent prices across 2019 well into November. With summer setting in and parts of the country facing natural disasters, seeing stability in the housing market is a relief to many. But not every measure has flatlined, Brisbane is still seeing steady improvements in other major areas. That is, in time of market, and housing rent.

Median rent

Brisbane saw no change on a month to month basis for apartment median rent. This is in line with the national median, which also saw no increase for apartments. However, in true Brisbane fashion, median apartment rent is below the national median. This continues to make Brisbane the cheapest state capital on the east coast at a median rent of $400pw for apartments.

Housing in Brisbane has seen a slight jump of 1.1%. The median rent has gone up to $440pw, making it below the national median, however, slightly above Melbourne which sits at $430pw.

Price per room

The average price per room across Brisbane has seen a change. Apartments have seen a 2% decrease in price per room compared with November 2018. This puts the average price per room for apartments at $220. Houses, meanwhile, have seen a 6.6% jump from November 2018 to $142. Despite these changes, Brisbane remains below the national average on both apartments and houses.  

Time on market

Brisbane has seen great decreases in time spent on the market both when compared monthly and year over year. Apartments have seen a drop in time on the market by 6% for both monthly change and year over year. This now puts the average time on market at 21 days.

Houses have seen a greater decrease in time on the market compared with October. The average drop on time on market has been 9%, down to 21 days. Compared with November 2018, this is a 5% decrease in time on the market.

Conclusion

November 2019 has continued on as a great month for Brisbane’s rental market. With time on the market lower than last year, and rental medians steadily increasing, Brisbane is sitting in a good, stable place for property investors.

If you are considering investing in the Brisbane property market, you need a property manager who knows Brisbane. Link Living is one of Brisbane’s highest-rated property manager. Loved for our low vacancy rate, local knowledge, and excellent service, you can trust Link Living to deliver. Come have a chat with us today and see where we can take your investment.

The post Brisbane Rental Market Report November 2019 appeared first on Link Living.