[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

October 20, 2008 - 10:56 am

I think you're right, you can do the improvement up front but then not claim a deduction, and should get more rent, OR do them in six months or so (don't quote me on the timeframe!), claim them, but maybe have more trouble getting a tenant and have a lower rent.

Is the carpet a trip hazard, if so definitely fix it before renting it out so you are not liable for any injury.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

October 19, 2008 - 5:06 am

Do lots of searching the net, these type of properties are not very common so you need to keep doing your sums, work out the most likely locations to find them and keep looking and doing more sums! Remember when doing the sums that the purchase price would hopefully be a little less than the asking price. Setting up a spreadsheet may help with the calculations.

We bought a +ve cash flow property in regional WA (wheatbelt) last financial year; it may not excel in terms of growth but it's paying its way and that suits us.

Personally I would do a lot of looking and maybe delay the buying for a few months, it would be nice to see if we get some stability back into financial markets and which way things are moving.  

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

October 7, 2008 - 11:24 am

I agree with Harb.

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October 7, 2008 - 11:17 am

And then homebuyers will surge back!

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 30, 2008 - 12:28 pm

Maybe a shared (rental) house arrangement would suit while you build up a deposit and hopefully increase your salary over the next few years

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 27, 2008 - 1:11 pm

I think there will be fibres in the gutters of the house and around the base of downpipes or in the soakwell. Most will still have bits of cement on them, so they would not reach the lowest parts of the lung if inhaled (which is where the damage occurs).

There are background asbestos fibres in every Australian city and town. We all have thousands of fibres in our lungs. The body can cope with these background levels. I don't think that house would be increasing your background levels.

I have some experience and education in the subject.

Won't help with the peitition sorry – I think long term we need to remove all asbestos but there is still time in most cases of asbestos cement sheeting.

(Asbestos is only hazardous if inhaled, not as a water contaminant.)

Have you tried the Asbestos Diseases Society, they would support the sort of proposals you suggest.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 27, 2008 - 1:03 pm

Agree with Frini. Also would open up the verandah if possible for better internal light. Consider skylights if you can't get enough light in (can be quite economical). Or could you go with bigger windows?

I've seen uglier

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 26, 2008 - 11:20 pm

Have you had a look at http://www.rent.com.au, investors can place their own rental ad  with photos for around $60, quite reasonable I think. Good luck.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 23, 2008 - 10:54 am

I've been using Wentworth, haven't had any probs. They have noted and organised repairs etc, pay the relevant bills.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 23, 2008 - 10:52 am

It's more the vacancy rate than the rental % I reckon. Keep an eye on the rental ads for the suburb – if there are heaps in that price range there may be oversupply.

There'll be another one.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 20, 2008 - 10:26 am

http://www.photobucket.com is one that will host pics.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 19, 2008 - 10:48 am

There are heaps with a timestamp but I think they would all be "settable" so it's not going to be absolute proof (ie no guarantee you set the correct date). Still pretty good though. Best if you actually printed them and both parties initialled and dated the back of them. Immediately before move-in would be ideal I think.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 13, 2008 - 12:48 pm

If the powers that be must remain unaware, it's probably not legal.  Your real question is 'can you get away with it', and I don't have an answer to that!

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 12, 2008 - 11:22 pm

The price I estimated was based on WA single sample prices. Sure you could get prices as low as $60 but not for one sample, as there is a batch fee as well.

And although the Codes for removal are national, the Regulations differ state by state including the regs on when you need a licensed removalist. In WA you don't need a licensed removalist for tiles. If in doubt I suggest calling the Dept of Health and/or the WorkSafe/WorkCover/Safework in your state.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 12, 2008 - 11:54 am

I would start by contacting the council and getting everything they have on this, and their requirements. Then inspect with a builder in this line of work for his view on the economics of the job. Do your sums very carefully.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 12, 2008 - 11:36 am

Some banks only lend on a minimum floor area (eg won't lend on under 50m2 for example) so floor area can be critical.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 12, 2008 - 11:35 am

It's an absolute bugger for the lab to test too, due to the resinous nature. Most commonly those tiles were 1960s and 1970s however it's still possible in the 1980s. Personally I would remove it "as if" it contained asbestos. There are guidelines for safe removal on the WA health dept website at http://www.health.wa.gov.au .

If you wanted a lab test you'd be looking at around the $100 mark and make sure you use a lab NATA certified for asbestos.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 9, 2008 - 12:20 pm

Polished concrete?

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

September 9, 2008 - 12:19 pm

I have one unit a bit like that in Perth, we needed to do a lot of plumbing replacement due to clay pipes/root ingress, might be worth checking as replacement is expensive.

[sallyannMember@sallyannJoin Date: 2005Post Count: 53]

August 14, 2008 - 9:38 am

I use Wentworth for my Daglish one, have had no probs the last couple of years since using them.

Just let prospective tenants know it's available for 8 months, you may get someone interested in the whole time, especiallly as the vacancy rate is still low.