The Blog

Natural healers The aloe vera plant has many healing benefits, including its ability to clean air. The gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and is also very effective at soothing burns, including sunburn.  The leaves of this super plant can also help to alleviate asthma symptoms by boiling the leaves in water […]

Investors who are choosing to self-manage may experience more headaches beyond a couple of late-night phone calls. With rental returns under a downward pressure in many parts of Australia, landlords may believe they can save some money by managing their investment properties rather than using the services of an experienced property management company. Such a decision […]

When it comes time to renting out property, it’s vital that your property is as appealing as possible to attract the right tenant. The best way to do so is to ensure that your property is in line with the latest trends. A forecast for popular trends in 2018; 1. Deep accented colours Emerald, plum […]

Whether you’re renting a small apartment or the living area in your home has much to be desired, there are some simple but effective changes you can employ to make a room appear more spacious.  Here are five top tips to help get you started and make a big impact with a small space. 1. Choose […]

What is the difference between ‘wear and tear’ and ‘damage’? It’s a conundrum faced by many landlords, agents and tenants, but why is it so confusing? Well, it is because there’s a very fine line been the different types of damage. Let us break it down for you… What is wear and tear? Normal wear […]

Asking rents down In June, capital city asking rents were down 0.2 per cent for both houses and units – $553 p/w houses and $441 p/w units, according to SQM Research. In comparison to 12 months previous, asking rents for houses increased 0.4 per cent but declined 0.7 per cent for units. Adelaide, Darwin and […]

Regular servicing of an air-conditioner prevents malfunctions.  It is also an excellent way to make sure your system is operating as efficiently and cost effective as possible.  If the unit is low on refrigerant or has a water leak, this will cause a dramatic increase in energy consumption in your home or property. Did you […]

As a tenant in Western Australia, you are required to pay a security bond when you enter into a lease. Typically, the bond amount is equivalent to four weeks rent and is there to cover any costs the tenant may be liable for at the end of a tenancy, for example: Damages to the property […]

The life of a tenant can be somewhat precarious, especially when it comes to rent inspections, which can cause a lot of unprecedented stress and leave you feeling insecure in your rental. But this doesn’t need to be the case. If you actively make an effort to look after your rental property, you shouldn’t have […]

With warmer weather, Christmas and a string of public holidays coming up it’s a popular time of year to pack-up and ship out for a well-deserved break. However, leaving behind a dark, empty house and an over-stuffed letterbox can invite unwanted attention. Here are five easy and cost effective tips for securing your home, so […]

It is becoming increasingly common for landlords to allow tenants to have a pet in their property. There can be many benefits and opportunities of allowing pets on the tenancy agreement, but before you decide, make sure to consider the following pros and cons. Pros Increase your chances of finding a tenant Since 2015, the […]

Ever heard of rentvesting? It’s an alternative way of getting into the property market and achieving home ownership sooner rather than later. Rentvesting is where you rent the property you want to live in, normally in a desired location, and then buy an investment property in a suburb you can afford. But just like any […]

There have been some pretty significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (RTA) in 2019 to help protect victims of family violence. If you are renting a residential property and are the victim of family violence, you now have a number of options available to you to help you safely exit and manage the […]

Property investment remains a very attractive prospect in Western Australia. With the Perth rental market in a recovery phase and housing affordability continuing to improve, there is plenty of opportunity for WA property investors to capitalise on these favourable conditions. When it comes to property investment, the vast majority of landlords in WA are ‘mum […]

The start of a new financial year means one thing to most people – tax time. If you’re an investor who rents out your property, it’s important you take the time to gather all your records, expenses and paper work in preparation for doing your tax return. Keep a good record log Being diligent with […]

The lessor is responsible for the property having a minimum level of security in place. The minimum security relates to door locks, window locks and exterior lights. The security required is specified in the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989. All rental properties must be in line with the minimum security standards specified in the regulations (as of 1 July 2015). […]

Reef’s Law: WA Tenants Now Allowed To Affix Furniture To Walls Without Landlord Permission The legislation commonly known “Reef’s Law” has been passed today by Western Australia’s parliament. This legislation now allows tenants to be able to affix furniture to the walls of a rental property, following the death of Perth toddler, Reef Kite, who […]

What is a flexi hose and how do I make sure it does not cause damage in my property? The flexi hose is a plumbing connection from the water main to major appliances, sinks and toilets, and has come into the spotlight as one of the top reasons a home is flooded — from water […]

Maintenance is a major point of contact between Peter Bruhn & Associates (PB&A) and its Tenants.  It is an opportunity to attend to repairs and pro-active maintenance of the property asset.  Repairs are carefully planned and prioritised to ensure critical and essential work is completed first.  Where possible proactive work is completed at the same […]