Correspondence with Property Manager LJ Hooker Belmont WA – Tenant in Rent Arrears

On 1^st October LJ Hooker Belmont WA informs we that the tenant had not paid rent for 2 weeks,

“the tenant has only paid to the 16/09 and has been breached and I spoke to him and he is coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday to pay the backlog.”

I asked about when a Breach Notice for Non-Payment of Rent was issued and LJ Hooker Belmont WA seemed to suggest that it has just been that day (possibly after I asked about it). There is an additional 17 days that must be waited prior to termination (two weeks plus few days for breach delivery in the mail), this meant that the breach expired on the 17^th October, the two week delay in issuing the breach by LJ Hooker Belmont WA meant that I had to wait 1 month before even issuing a Termination for Non-Payment of Rent, and if the tenant refuses to leave, a court case can take another 10 to 14 days (quoted from LJ Hooker Belmont WA). Now don’t forget the bond only covers 4 weeks of rent.

On Saturday 1^st October, LJ Hooker Belmont WA informs me;

“I spoke to him and he is coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday [4^th and 5^th October] to pay the backlog [$680]”

On Thursday 6^th October I receive an email;

“Your tenant has paid rent $550 today… and is now $310 in arrears.”

On Friday 7^th October I receive another email;

“He has assured me he will pay $400 on Wednesday [12^th October] and $400 each week until he has caught up again.”

On Friday 14^th October I receive another email;

“The tenant paid $250 today and paying $740 on Wednesday and this will take him upto [sic] the 21 October. “

On 18^th October Termination for Non-Payment of Rent is issued by LJ Hooker Belmont WA, the tenant has till the 27^th October to vacate.

On 27^th October LJ Hooker Belmont WA informs me that Jacaranda Community Centre has approved payment of the tenant’s rent arrears.

On the 4^th November LJ Hooker Belmont WA that the tenant has paid all rent arrears and is up to date with payments.

Now this was one of the added advantages of having a Property Manager, they know who to contact, Jacaranda Community Centre is a community service centre for the City of Belmont who assist with people in financial hardship, and in this case they paid all rent arrears and brought the tenant up to date with payments.

I also decided to take up Landlord Insurance, which LJ Hooker Belmont WA advised from the very start to do, I went with AMA Insurance, for about $150 a year you are covered for about $17,000 of lost rent, not bad at all.