Things to do while renting Property in Auckland

It is fairly straight forward and easy to get Hostels or being in Serviced Apartment. It comes as a complete surprise that renting an apartment in Auckland was way difficult  than we expected. Renting or buying Property isn't always easy. It is already complex process and you do expect a nice Property Agent who is willing to give you support and service. However it isn't always easy to get the same and it is essential that you do fair bit so that the whole process is easier for everyone.

It became nightmare since we were expecting much more easy to deal nicer property Agents. See for more details Top 12 things Property Agents in Auckland have got it wrong.

• Get your documents up to date : If you have just newly moved from overseas to New Zealand.  Get your previous landlord Reference Letter ready, Get permission from your previous Landlord that they are ok to be contacted by e-mail / phone , be willing to give (preferably color copy )of your Credit Card ,Driving License, if you have newly joined an Employment then Letter, somebody in New Zealand to give reference as well. If you have been living in hotel or hostel. Keep track of those details as well it might come handy to give reference or just to write on application form.

                          Even if you do all this there is no guarantee that your agent might or might not need other   

                          things.  There can be other documents needed / not needed. Each Property Agent /           

                          Management company seems to have different requirements.

• Look for the Property on Trademe or other similar  website : Since you are starting out to look at property  in Auckalnd or New Zealand. There are lots of suburbs and it is best for you to determine how far or closer you want to be from your work area. What is your budget? What properties are available in which areas?  Zero down on area or property you are interested in, budget it wisely. Use Google Maps. Look at all the details from what date it is available, when is viewing, is it near to the trains, etc. Your instinctive response is to contact all the agents but  wait.

• Visit the Neighborhood: It is essential that you walk around the neighborhood and think for yourself and don't do this on viewing day but before that. Go on weekdays just to explore neighborhood and whether you want to be living there.

• See the pictures carefully: Go back to the website and see more listing in the neighborhood you are interested in. See more pictures clearly as there wouldn't be much difference on what you are going to see and what you are seeing in the pictures. Think about whether you can live in a house which looks like that.

• Call an agent: With 5-10 good listing you might have found in neighborhood you like. Call the agent of your Top 5 favorite. If there is an advertisement it would be mostly having a viewing .
• Fix an appointment : Appointment will be mostly Property Agent / Manager telling you when the viewing is available as oppose to when you want to view it. Ask for your convenient time, if it is possible.
• If you can't agree on the day then start looking for other  properties or call back after couple of weeks to enquire. If it is still available and you still have time it  can be yours but it is long shot.

• Carry all your documents: Before leaving  the home check if you have all the necessary documents like Reference Letters, Employment Letter, Identity Proof, Financial Proof, etc.

• Go to location beforehand : If you have been busy and haven't had chance to see neighborhood. Have a look about day before or at least couple of hours back. Think about whether you really want to be here or not. Think about how long it took for you to get there. Think about whether the property you are going to see how much are you interested in. Would you like to fill up application form immediately.

• Be on Time: I know several people who miss their viewing as they couldn't make it on Tuesday between 4 to 4:10  pm of viewing just because they came to 4:12. If you are using public transport and are new to the place. Take an hour or half an hour more than what Google Maps have been saying.

• Keep a book handy : Write all the details necessary. Where is the property, what floor, what room no., what furniture is included, what rent includes / does not include as it would be more likely an agent asking you what property did you see.

• Ask Questions. Don't be shy: No question is stupid and if Property Agent / Manager doesn't know the answer then you are wasting time. I know you would be missing on property because some Property Agent wasn't efficient but even if you do  get him/ her to work with you. What's the point you would have to deal with him for remaining tenure of property.

• Be prepared to make speedy decisions : Based on what you have read on the net for property, seen in the property, and little what you might have heard from an agent. You have to decide whether the next 6 - 12 months you would like to spend in that property. You would have to make an offer.

• Fill up Forms aka Give an offer: Are you willing to give offer by filling up form. It is bit silly to fill up form as if you are giving job application but property agents/ managers like you to fill up a form so that have all your details. Most of the other countries do not ask for this however many New Zealand Property Agents and Managers expect you to fill up forms and do Credit Checking. Also at times people do not realize that their budget can go over if they think there are 4 weeks in one month so Monthly rent isn't weekly rent x 4. When actually your Monthly rent would fluctuate depending on how many weeks. Get an average of rent. It would be great idea to check if your budget isn't exceeding.

• Wait for decision : All the forms are provided to the Property Owner.  Mostly Owner of the property supposedly let's Property Agent know whether they have accepted an offer or not. Property Agent / Manager would come back to you and arrange meeting. Property Agent/ Manager mainly work from Monday- Friday 9 to 5.So it might not be necessarily easy for someone who is in Employment during same hours.

• Read Contract: No matter how much your agent is in hurry. Go through your Contract how payment has to be made, cancellation of contract, renewing of contract  but most importantly if there would be any changes in the Rent. Do not miss this.

• Payment : Make the Payment of bond and rent. If you are going to transfer your money every month get your property code. Visit Bank also to understand how long it would take for you to transfer money. Local banks it is usually free but it is worth checking.

• Get all information about Telephone, Internet, Water, Gas and Electricity:  Information on your new home is going to work is essential. Know what are the last companies and readings for all this services. If you prefer to get this information first then let your Property Agent know.

• Get Report on your Premises: If your Property Agent/ Manager is good he/she would have written down every mark on the wall, would have made list of what condition every thing is ? What condition your furniture is? As it would come handy when you are leaving the property.

• Do not forget to Thank your Property Agent / Manager: NO matter how useful or useless your Property Agent / Manager have been. No Matter how impatient they have been throughout their work. They deserve Thank you as they are juggling between various properties. It is ultimately during your stay they are going to help your for other things.

• Know what is the best way to contact your Property Agent/ Manager :

                         From time to time you would have problem related to property. Not for every small details                                       
                         and there would be major reasons when you have to get back to your Property Agent/
                         Manager. Know your Property Agent preference is how they would like to be contacted.

• Recommend your Property Agent/ Manager : If you found a gem out there , let everyone know as property business works on word to mouth. What better way to appreciate your hard work but by giving references.

Top 12 things Property Agents / Property Managers  in Auckland have got it wrong

Property Agents or Property Managers in Auckland are busy people. We empathize with amount of work one Property Agent has to do from putting  advertisement on the internet,  view different  properties, co-ordinate with seller and buyer, negotiate, draw the contracts, close deals, maintain properties, etc.

However nothing really prepares  your Customer for this kind of behavior  and attitude which most Property Agents in Auckland have.

1. No Greeting :  Property Management and Property Agents treat their customer worse than Fast Food Restaurant Customers. At least in Fast Food Restaurant the Customer Service Executive would greet warmly and wait patiently until the  Customer decides on Food.  Simple etiquette of How are you ? Nice to meet you ? Is too much to ask for from the Property Agents.

2. What's in a Name ? : They do not remember your names as long as they remember theirs it is enough. Customer wonders "If you can't remember my name why are you even bothered to show me the property.

3. Viewing with several clients : We understand the property needs to be viewed by several people  and for  Property Agent it is a good solution. The question remains is whether you have asked Customer whether they are ok with Open Houses or not. Some Customers find it intimidating and as an agent you might be missing out on golden opportunity of building  one on one connection and trust during the first few meetings.

4.Open Houses for 10 Minutes: Yes, we understand to save time and money it is better to show property  at once but what is with 10 minutes  on weekday. Have you even considered that  you might be missing out on a potential customer who would love to do business with you if  you understand the m better.

5.Hurried Conversation :  Now how much one can talk to someone in 10 minutes with 4  - 5 different customers . It is already lots for Customers to take in with the new property and  have several questions. Even before  agent have known their name, personal situation , issues and preferences Customer is informed about the next Customer waiting in line . Potential Customers  are handed forms and ask to leave premises.Spend some time to get to know your Customer whether they are first time buyers or first time renters.

6. No Mention about who owns the Property: Yes, as  customer  we want to know who owns the property, whom are we going to sign Contract with? Not because  Customer want to avoid you and not pay for your commission  but to know that you are genuine and information given by you is genuine. Not necessarily you give name or number of owner but you can always talk to customer about the owner.

7. Do not inform  what is the procedure : As a Property Agent , you have not informed apart from giving  form and how much money customer is supposed to give any further details on what is going to happen, when going to happen. What will happen when the customer moves in, what are the things he / she is supposed to do with their electricity, gas, water, etc . Whether the property has electricity or gas? Who is providing those services, what are the numbers to contact them. Make an attempt to know about  customer  and help him /her to envision living in the property

8. Poorly written and confusing forms: The  Forms from  Property Agent Companies  or Property Management Companies have insufficient information. It doesn't have information about property. Sometimes e-mail to contact is wrong on it. Sometimes Form lists wrong numbers of documents needed. If you are asking for Financial Documents  be specific and also ensure that it is safe. What happens with Financial details?  Yes, it might seem strange request to fill up form with Customer but ultimately you are requesting this information. 


9. Bad Memory : As an agent if you have showed Customer property then you should remember it.  If you can not remember it then write it down. Do not expect customer to remember it.  Just as you have many prospective buyers or renters to manager. Customer is also looking  at several property but you as a Property Manager is responsible for that property who walks in and out of the Property.



10. No Follow up : How many times agents have missed the deals because  you have not answered an e-mail or voicemail?   Do not list a property on trademe.co.nz or other websites if it is  rented  or sold already. If you are claiming the property is gone then do not keep for another 1 week. It makes you look dishonest  and you loose respect.



11. Unrealistic Deadlines:  If you had an Open house on say for instance Friday, do not expect  everyone to submit the Forms on same day by 4 pm.  It isn't possible for Customer to have all the documents or might want to Sleep over their decision. Give them enough time but not  too much.  




12. No After Sales  Support : Yes, you do not want customer to come back  for every minor problem but  every customer expects good Sales support. If you have not done your work shoddily in the beginning there would be less hassle after wards. Always ask before you leave whether you can do anything else for your customers.