EBM RentCover’s biggest reads of 2024

A guide to minimum standards… landlord vs tenant responsibilities… what to do when your tenants won’t leave… can a landlord or tenant be sued for negligence?… these were the topics that caught the eyes of landlords and property managers in 2024.   

As we come to the end of the year, we are looking back at some of the stories we have written, that you loved. Here are the stories that gripped landlords and property managers in 2024… 

Your guide to minimum standards for rental properties in Australia  

This was a hot topic in 2024! You may or may not know that legislation goes deep into the minimum standards of rental properties and landlords and agents must adhere to them… or they may end up in hot water. To help, we wrote an article which offers a guide to minimum standards for properties in Australia. Aren’t across this one? You can access it here. 

Landlord vs tenant responsibilities  

Getting upset about who is responsible for what at a rental property is a headache no-one needs – and one many landlords and tenants experience. Misunderstandings about responsibilities for tasks around the property – from gardening to appliance repairs – are commonplace. In this article, we answer the question, “who’s responsible?”, for a few important tasks at a rental. 

What to do when your tenants won’t leave 

A tenant refusing to leave the rental is one of those nightmare scenarios no landlord or agent wants to have to deal with. But it’s one they might have to. So, if a tenant isn’t budging, what’s next? Coming in at #3 is this article we wrote about what to do when tenants are not paying and not leaving. You can read it here.  

Can a landlord or agent be sued for negligence? 

Negligence. It’s a word that doesn’t have a nice ring to it. It’s kind of ominous – and for good reason. If a tenant is using the words ‘negligence’ or ‘negligent’ when referring to their landlord or property manager, they aren’t paying a compliment. There’s actually a good chance that the person to whom they are referring will be the one paying – not compliments but potentially compensation. Learn more about this hot topic here.  

Breach notices: What to do when a tenant defaults on rent 

When a tenant signs a rental agreement, they are ultimately agreeing to the ‘house rules’. But, what happens when they break the ‘house rules’ and how does it impact landlord insurance? We explain in this top-read article. 

ATO sets sights on rental properties 

Each year, we look at the ATO’s focus areas for tax time and delve into what this means for investment property owners. Click here to have a read.  

Holiday home insurance – choosing the right policy 

If you rent your holiday home on a platform like Airbnb, you may be wondering how to protect it with insurance. Will a normal home and contents policy do? Or do you need something a bit more specialised? We provide an answer in this article. 

Submitting insurance claims after a natural disaster 

Changing weather conditions are playing a huge part in the increase in natural disasters on Aussie shores. In fact, because of wetter, hotter, drier weather, the risk to property in susceptible areas is rising, according to Domain’s 2024 Perils Report. If you own or manage a rental property, the prospect of it being damaged by a natural disaster can be frightening. To help, EBM RentCover answers FAQs which look at how to respond in times of natural disasters.  

Smarter about strata – understanding who insures what 

If an investment property is in a strata complex, it’s important to understand who is responsible for insuring what. In this article, we explain the differences in landlord insurance policies and how they apply to strata-titled properties.  

Who covers relocation costs – the tenant or landlord? 

If your rental is badly damaged and becomes uninhabitable, you may need to relocate your tenants. But who covers the relocation costs? Find the answer here.  

At EBM RentCover, we want to make sure landlords and property professionals are educated with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about insurance for investment properties. We achieve this through our online Info Centre and by being there when you need help – 1800 661 662.   

*While we have taken care to ensure the information above is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances and legislation after the displayed date may impact the accuracy of this article. If you need us we are here, contact 1800 661 662 if you have any questions.