We’re in for a wet summer according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), who have officially declared that La Nina has returned to the eastern states. Now is the time to ensure the properties you manage are adequately prepared.
With persistent and at times heavy rains lashing the eastern states over the past few weeks, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has declared that La Nina is back. La Nina is the term that describes a weather pattern of higher-than-average (around 20% higher) rainfall, cloud cover and cooler temperatures. Thunderstorms and cyclones are also more prevalent during a La Nina event. It is the opposite of El Nino, which typically causes dryer and hotter than average weather.
This year marks the second consecutive year affected by La Nina in the eastern, northern and central parts of Australia. Last year, parts of NSW were affected by flooding, with the Hawkesbury region particularly hard hit. This was on the back of severe bushfires during the second half of 2019 and the start of 2020.
Given the BoM predicts a higher chance of rain and storm activity until at least the end of January, now is the time to prompt landlords to prepare their properties, if they have not already done so, and ask tenants to report any maintenance or repairs that require attention.
Who is responsible?
The tenant has an obligation to report any maintenance or repair issues promptly and it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure their rental property is maintained and kept in good working order. When a tenant reports an issue, it is up to you, as Property Manager, to ensure their requests are reported to the landlord and actioned within a reasonable timeframe to ensure the property is kept in good repair and the tenants are safe.
The following actions are recommended as prevention strategies during a La Nina weather event.
- Clear gutters and downpipes of debris.
- Trim back low hanging tree branches and overgrown shrubs near the house.
- Have the roof, windows and doors checked for cracks and leaks and fix where necessary.
- Ensure the property is fitted with at least one safety switch.
It’s all about risk mitigation and this is where Maintenance Manager can help you stay in control as a Property Manager. The cloud-based system will allow you to:
- See the status of maintenance tasks at a glance
- Save time by automating communications and workflows
- Reduce risk by prioritising tasks
- Process maintenance jobs quickly by selecting, seeking a quote from and booking in the right qualified, licensed and insured tradie for the job
- View event and audit trails to ensure nothing is missed and for compliance and total transparency
Call 1300 155 888 for more information on how Maintenance Manager can help you and your team stay on top of all maintenance issues during weather events like La Nina and be more efficient any time, or book a demo today.
For total peace of mind, why not suggest that the landlord invest in a property safety evaluation inspection and report by the team at PropertySafe. The report covers over 100 hazards in and around the home and includes recommendations for how to mitigate those risks to keep tenants safe and protect the asset.
