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Whether you are a landlord or a renter, there is a lot of information out there that you might here that will make you do a double-take. Understanding how the whole landlord, tenant system works will get you in a doozy sometimes but that doesn’t mean that you have to believe everything you here.

This is where we come in to help you debunk some of these myths about the renting industry as a whole. Are you ready to debunk some property and renting myths? Let’s do it!

Myth 1: Landlords Are Responsible for All Repairs and Replacements of Issues

In Malaysia, landlords are responsible for repairs and replacements of things in the house up to a certain time. One thing you should also look at in the lease is that they will be responsible for certain things for 3-6 months and after that, it is considered normal wear and tear. Landlords are supposed to ensure that the house is in a livable and comfortable place.

But always check with your agent what is included in this clause because things like airconditioning maintenance are something that usually isn’t covered. So the myth that the landlord is responsible for all repairs and replacements of things in the house is definitely a myth. Always read the contract!

Myth 2: Rental Prices and Terms of The Contract Are Not Negotiable

Until both landlord and tenant sign the contract, everything is negotiable. Most of the time rental prices can be negotiated. Sometimes, the rental can be reduced if you do not have a car and you would not require a parking space.

Always check the terms first and see if it is something that you want to invest in. This applies to both the landlord and the tenant. As a landlord, you need to trust that the tenant is someone that you can trust to take care of your home. And as a tenant, you need to make sure that the contract protects you when needed and that the pricing and requirements is legal and is in your range of what you want to spend and commit to.

Myth 3: You Are Stuck With The Contract Until It Ends

All contracts are legally required to have an end date and grounds for termination. This is to ensure that everyone gets the chance to get out of a contract if they need to. This clause in the contract is put in there to protect both parties, the landlord and the tenant.

Most of the time in Malaysia you can break the contract and get out of the lease as a tenant but you will need to forfeit your deposit. And as a landlord, if you want to get out of the lease, you will either need to give the tenant time to find a new house and pass them the full deposit as soon as possible.

These are the 3 biggest myths we have heard from multiple people that surround the renting industry. Do you have any myths that you want debunked? Or have you been part of a myth that came true?

We would love to hear your stories. 

Written by: Tashya Viknesh

Being a landlord can be stressful. You’re worried about if your tenants are maintaining your house, if they are having parties every night or even if they have destroyed your plumbing. Trust us, we’ve heard some horror stories in our time.

But, there have also been horror stories about landlords who weren’t as nice either. At the end of the day, the only way to have a win-win situation is if both landlord and tenant mutually respect each other and understand that it is a legal contract that you are bound by and that everyone deserves to live in a beautiful home and that space deserves to be respected.

So as a property owner, how do you ensure that you are awesome and making sure that your tenants not only respect you but love you too?

Here are some tips on how you can be an awesome landlord:

1. Being Professional

This is extremely important and that you should be professional from the start. When meeting with your potential tenants or when you drop by for anything, always show up looking professional and that you always maintain professional communications as well.

You need to understand that it is a legal contract that you are signed into and that you should stay professional all the time. Communication is extremely important so that you can keep up with the condition of your home and allowing you to always be in the loop of what is going on.

1. Being Trustworthy & Someone Who is Reliable

Can you imagine being a landlord that never answers their phone? Your tenant could be calling you because a pipe burst and if you don’t answer, the damage done would be so much worse. If you are a landlord, be prepared to have to tend to emergencies at any time.

We are obviously not expecting you to pick up the phone at 4 am but always strive to get back to your tenant in a reasonable amount of time. Always acknowledge their messages so that they are able to trust you and become more willing to open up about the issues they face.

If you seem like you don’t care about them, the understanding might be that they would not care about your property either. So it’s much better to always strive to be reliable and trustworthy no matter what.

1. Being Quick and Reliable with Maintenance

Things break all the time and you can’t help it. You are supposed to be responsible to help your tenants fix issues and you should not hold onto it for too long because it might cause some uncomfortable in their home.

It might not be urgent but it’s something that you need to keep up with because you are responsible for it. Also always ensure that you have a budget that is ready for issues like these that crop up.

1. Compassion

Bad things, mistakes and accidents happen all the time. Unless the tenant has done it on purpose, sometimes you need to be compassionate to understand that something bad had happened.

Especially with the issue with the world and the pandemic that is happening, if they need some time to pay for rent or if they require a lowered rent and you are able to allow that, please be a bit more compassionate and allow that to happen.

Being a property owner is a responsibility, but it’s a great investment and you are able to meet some cool people and give people a home.

Start being an awesome landlord today! Also, by being that you may also subscribe to our services like auto debit on rental collections.

It saves up your time and tenant's time in reminding and checking payment. Do all that with a click.

Book a demo with us to find out more. It's easy!!

Share with us your thoughts!

Written by: Tashya Viknesh

A lot of people want to become a landlord because we have been taught that owning properties is a great way to generate passive income. However, we also know that the myth that being a landlord is tough has deterred a lot of people from becoming a landlord.

But, being a landlord isn’t that hard and it can be a very fulfilling thing if you know what to do and if you are someone who is responsible. Being a landlord isn’t really that hard. Let us break it down for you.

Step 1: Just Be Organised

As a property owner, you will have a lot of documentation at hand. Always make sure that you file all of that safely. Always make sure that you are on top of all your payments and that you keep all your receipts

When you decide to rent out your property, keep your copy of the tenancy agreement in the same place. Also always file all of the payments that your tenant makes to you so that you always know what is happening with the rental and also the utilities.

To make things like paperwork and organisation better, you can always choose to use a property management software that is made for property owners like you.

Step 2: Be Responsive

Your tenant will never know your house as best as you do, so they will most definitely call you for things that might break down or a light switch that they cannot find. Always be available to answer these questions because it will make your tenant’s life easier and when they are happy they are more likely to respect and enjoy living in your property.

Don’t take too long to respond to their requests or messages. If you are responsive the minute you get the message, the faster you solve the issue the faster you get back to your normal life. So being a responsive landlord is a win-win situation for everyone.

Step 3: Communicate

A lot of times, things that are left unsaid can lead to miscommunication. This is why it’s extremely important to always communicate with your tenant and your agent or the people managing your property. You should also communicate with the management team of your property if it’s a condominium or gated community.

 This way you can keep up to date with all the meetings, decisions made and topics that they are discussing at the moment. Keeping an open line of communication will greatly improve your life as a landlord and for sure make it a lot simpler. The more information you have the better your life will be.

Step 4: Invest in A Property Management Software

We are always busy and might get caught up in the day to day and it’s understandable that some days you may drop the ball as a landlord.

So why not get someone else to manage it for you? BlueDuck is a property management software and service that will take care of everything from screening tenants, e-signing of contracts, direct debits of rental and even handling all the maintenance requests for you and your tenants.

All you have to do is sit back and relax and answer questions whenever needed. This way you get to thoroughly enjoy the life of being a landlord and not having to sweat the small stuff.

If you want to know more about the what BlueDuck can do for you, you know what to do! 

Written by: Tashya Viknesh

Strata is one of those words you would never hear about until you’re researching about trying to buy a house here in Malaysia. And quite honestly, until a few decades ago, the term “strata” was foreign to a lot of people. Today, it has become something very common for anyone who is looking to purchase their homes.

Before we go on, what is the meaning of “strata”?

1. It was introduced legally in 1985 in response of the increase of multi-storey housing.
2. It serves to provide clearer provisions of the management of stratified properties in Malaysia. This includes commercial, residential and developments that are a mixture of both types of developments.

A strata property or title allows you as the buyer ownership or co-ownership of part of a strata property. This basically means that you are allowed to buy a piece of the parcel of development. This means that you can own the space of your apartment but not the whole building. These are considered property parcels and are usually managed by a management body.

So how is this different from a normal individual title?

A strata title is usually made for multi-storey building properties and an individual title is usually used for those that have landed property. Strata titles will be divided into different units in a development that share common facilities and features.

A good example would also be an office complex that is sitting on a piece of land. If you purchase an office lot, that would be a strata title ownership. A fun fact is that your property developers are actually required to apply for strata buyers if you become a buyer.

So what are your rights as a strata property owner

#1 You can vote during General Meeting

•       There will always be annual general meetings that happen everywhere and you will be able to vote in these meetings.
•        You will get to choose the board of members and property owner representatives.
•        You will also be able to know about how the finances are doing.
•         You get to vote on things like what kind of security plans you want to have if your building allows for pets or not.
•        Be able to speak up to management and change things that you want to in a vote. 

#2 You have the right to file claims under the Strata Management Tribunal

•     If you are a strata owner, you will be protected under the Strata Management Tribunal.
•       The tribunal will be able to help you with any disputes related to your strata management.
•     It can be dealt with cheaply because there is no need for legal representation.
•     But the maximum you can claim for is RM 250,000 and they will not be able to entertain a case where more than RM 250,000 is involved. 

#3 You have the right to request to review Maintenance Fees and the Sinking Fund 

•      These Maintenance fees are the monthly payment you for the upkeep of common facilities like the lift, the gym and even that lovely jacuzzi.
•      The Sinking funds cover all future capital expenses. This includes things like refurbishing the building, repairing issues and repainting exteriors. These funds will be collected as a pool for these big-ticket items in the future. 
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At the end of the day, purchasing a property is hard and confusing most of the time. So knowing your rights is really important. If you don’t you might not be able to keep up with your home if these things happen in the future.

It’s also a great way to check on the management of your property and ensure that your rights are being taken care of.

Are there any more rights of a strata owner that you think we left out? Let us know and do check out our services ;)

Written by: Tashya Viknesh

Being a landlord is not for the faint of heart. There are so many moving parts when it comes to renting the property from maintaining the space, keeping up with payments and also having to handle the tenants in the first place. This is why we say that being a landlord can be likened to a full-time job as well.

We are sure that there will be times where you will get requests from your tenant and you might be inclined to say no but are not sure if you can or should not say yes. Also, sometimes you might just feel bad and say yes out of the kindness of your own heart. Here are some instances where we feel that you should say no to your tenants and figure out a way around it instead.

Being kind but firm is the balance you need to make sure you keep your tenant happy but are also protecting your stake in the game as well. Here are some of the times when we believe you should say no or at least start a more serious conversation with your tenants.

1. When They Want To Decorate

Sure, a rented house is also home to a lot of people who choose to rent instead of purchasing their own homes. But there are some parts of redecorating that they should not be allowed to do.

More permanent changes like paint jobs, breaking down of a wall or even any drilling and nails are things that they should not do if they are living in a rental property. If they want to do it, they will need to check with you first no matter what. If your tenant asks you to do any permanent changes, you will need to think about the longevity of this change. Will your next tenant appreciate it? Or would you have to redo it after?

If it causes more of a hassle then it’s best to tell your tenants that they are not allowed to redecorate more permanently.

2. Always Focus On The Request and Not Them

When you say no, always try to be polite and kind. Never make it about the tenant but rather, you should focus on the request instead. This way you are able to keep a professional distance between yourself and the tenant.

Your tenant needs to know that this is not personal but rather you’re just following the contract and what’s best for you and your property.

3. Saying No To Late Rental Payments

We all have times where things get rough. It’s understandable that your tenant is late on payment once or twice. The minute this becomes a pattern and the excuses stop making sense, you will need to be firm and ask them to either start paying on time or you might need to invoke the contract to make sure that your rights are being taken care of as well.

You can always give them a grace period if there is something unfortunate that happens. Especially in the time of this pandemic, being kinder and letting the rent be lowered is great or giving them more time to pay you back is something you should do if you can. But always think ahead and protect your own pockets too.

With a platform like BlueDuck, all payments are directly debited from your tenant so you would not actually need to chase tenants. The team at BlueDuck will keep an eye on all your payments and all you need to do is check your bank account and the app for any updates.

Have you experienced any uncomfortable requests from tenants? How did you deal with it?

We know that being a landlord is daunting and having to deal with strangers living in your home can be scary but we are here to help you! 

Contact us for more information.

Written by: Tashya Viknesh

Purchased your new piece of rental property and looking for your new tenant? Or is your current tenant moving out and you really need to find a new one? Well, looking for a tenant is one of the hardest things to do when you start investing in rental property.

So here are our top 4 things to look out to when you’re trying to find your perfect tenant for your home.  As a landlord, we are sure that you want to find a good tenant that will be able to not just take care of your house but also to enjoy living at your home responsibly.

Good tenants are definitely out there, you just need to be a bit more stringent when it comes to looking for them.

Tips #1: Find Someone You Trust To List Your Property

In Malaysia, the number one way to do this is to list it with a property agency. A lot of people believe this to be the best and only way to do this because agencies have a lot of connections. They are established in their craft and usually know where to list your property for the best response.

They are also incredibly informed with the current property market and they will be able to assist you in the best way possible with regards to how much you should rent out your property for, what is the best way to publicise it and so much more.

Having a platform or team that you trust is incredibly important when you are looking to rent out your property. This is why BlueDuck is a great place to not just list your property but have a team of experts go the whole nine yards for you. The team at BlueDuck will run thorough checks on each person that wants to rent your space and will do most of the work for you so you don’t have to worry!

Tips #2: Check Their Financials

When you have decided on a few people that you have shortlisted to rent out your property. You and your team of real estate agents should look into their finances. It is a sensitive topic but you will need to know if your future tenants would be able to afford to pay for rent and make payments on time.

A good idea to figuring out if they can afford rent is to make sure that rent is ⅓ of their overall paycheck. This way, you know that the tenant is not only able to pay you on time but to also maintain their quality of life as well.

Tips #3: Decide on A Demographic

When you purchased your property to rent out, you will have chosen it based on multiple things like if they are close to LRT stations or close to colleges. This way you actually decided from the get-go the type of tenant that you are looking to rent to.

If the types of tenant you choose are university students, you will need to be prepared to house students. You might need more tables, more stable internet and a simple kitchen setup as compared to a young family.

Or if you decide that you do not wish to cater to a certain demographic please be mindful and let your agents know in advance so that they know how to angle your property when marketing it out.

Tips #4: Take Your Time

You might be inclined to make a fast decision so that you can get the property out of your hair and rented out. But we have heard so many horror stories from landlords who just said yes to the first person they saw without taking the time to really know more about them.

This is why we suggest taking the time to read through the tenant profiles. BlueDuck puts together an extremely comprehensive tenant profile that allows you to make the best-informed decision with regards to your tenant.

We hope that these tips will help you find the best tenant you can for your property! Do you have anymore tips? Share it with us today! (:

Written by: Tashya Viknesh