Your Residential Rental Provider
APRIL 2025 UPDATE
A little about our Property Management team Newsletter
Lynn Barugh Team Leader
Lynn has, over the past 25 years, worked in all aspects of property management; from Reception, Portfolio Management, Trust Account Manager to Department Manager / Team Leader.
Lynn believes that creating great relationships with Renters and Rental Providers is key to harmonious property management.
As a local resident, she has a strong understanding of real estate trends, both locally and in surrounding areas.
In her spare time, Lynn enjoys reading a good book, cooking, gardening and golf.
Emma Summers Senior Property Manager
Emma began her career in the real estate industry in 2009; gaining a decades’ worth of local experience within Administrative and Property Management roles over the years.
Priding herself on offering efficient, thorough and friendly Property Management services to both Rental Providers and Renters alike, Emma is an enthusiastic and dedicate member of the Hoskins Maroondah team.
When not at work, Emma enjoys spending time with her young family and raising two children alongside her husband. Weekends are spent watching the kids participate in local sport, coaching a netball team and spending time with her friends and extended family.
Tish Langley
Leasing & Inspection Manager
With many years of hands-on experience and living in Croydon for most of her life, Tish has extensive knowledge and expertise within the local area.
Her personal experiences with buying, demolishing, building, leasing and selling her own properties have provided an invaluable insight into the industry. This firsthand experience enables Tish to better understand and meet the needs of customers, guiding them through the complexities of the Leasing and Property Management processes.
Tish uses her local knowledge and industry expertise to help families find their dream home or property owners their ideal tenant, all while delivering exceptional service.
Normal working hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Normal working hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Normal working hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday
A message from our director
I’m delighted to share some wonderful updates from across the business as we continue to grow and strengthen our services.
We have received fantastic feedback about our Property Management team from both Rental Providers and Renters. This is a testament to the team’s dedication, professionalism, and the genuine care they bring to their roles. Thank you to everyone involved - your efforts don’t go unnoticed!
On the Sales side, March marked a record-breaking month, with strong activity and excellent results. It’s exciting to see continued momentum in the market, and our sales team has truly risen to the occasion. What’s most inspiring is the way our team continues to work together across departments, building a strong, connected business with shared goals and a clear focus on service.
As we head into the Easter break, I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and restful Easter. We hope you enjoy some well-deserved time with loved ones.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.
Brent Peters (Director - Hoskins Maroondah)
What our clients are saying...
My family and I have just finished up a tenancy in a property handled by Emma Summers and the team at Hoskins Maroondah. I feel compelled to leave this review because I have nothing but glowing praise for this rental experience.
Property Managers often get a bad rap - and sometimes for good reason - but this just makes the quality ones stand-out, and Emma and her colleagues are absolutely that. They are as professional and friendly as you could hope for, always attending to any query, concern or maintenance issue we had promptly and without drama. Even on occasions where there was a procedural error from our end, nothing was too much trouble...
...If you get the opportunity to rent through Hoskins Maroondah, do it. Highly recommended for stress-free renting.
Eris J, Ringwood
Senior Property Manager, Lynn Barugh, is such a wonderful manager to deal with. Lynn has great knowledge in the field of Property Management. She has such a delightful personality and always very helpful.
Ahmed J, Mitcham
If anyone has the pleasure of having Emma Summers as their Property Manager, then you know you have a wealth of knowledge and an honest agent assigned to you.
I have had the pleasure of her assignment for 18+ months, and I am happy to know I have another 12 months.
Sarah B, Donvale
Have been extremely happy with Hoskins and my Property Manager, Lynn. It’s been almost ten years now and nothing is a problem and they’re always very lovely to deal with. Would highly recommend!
Cameron C, Mitcham
Gas, Electrical & Smoke Alarm Safety Compliance
Rental providers have certain responsibilities for gas, electrical and smoke alarm safety.
Gas and electrical appliances need to be checked every 2 years and maintained during that time.
Smoke alarms need to be checked yearly and maintained during that time.
For more information about what these checks involve and how non-compliance may impact you, follow this link:
CAV - GAS, ELECTRICAL & SMOKE ALARM SAFETY
March of 2021 marked the introduction of mandatory Gas, Electrical & Smoke Alarm Safety Compliance checks for rental properties.
Since that time, we have had a great response to implementation of these checks.
84% of properties under our management are now signed up to a package offered by our preferred supplier - BCMC Safety Solutions.
BCMC is an independent company that completes the checks only – they do not complete any further rectification works. Should rectifications be required, we can source a quote for you from our preferred trades people, or you can source your own trades person.
If you would like us to engage your own choice of qualified trades to complete these checks, please advise your Property Manager of their contact details so that we can arrange this.
If you would like to Opt In or Opt Out, please email your Property Manager to advise of your instructions.
For more information click here
Important information
Late last month, we heard that the Reserve Bank of Australia reduced the cash rate by 0.25%, This recent reduction could give up to a $1,000 reduction in repayments annually based on a $500,000 home loan.
Whilst the rate reduction has been passed on by most major lenders automatically, there are some lenders who, whilst reducing your interest rate, will not modify your home loan repayments without you taking some action either via your online banking or via a call to your lender to request it be reduced to its new minimum.
If you believe that your interest rate is still too high, or require additional lending, please reach out to our free, in-house finance broker Ryan on 0412 398 098 to see what savings you may be eligible for.
Minimum Standards
As a Rental Provider, it is your responsibility to ensure that the property you are renting out meets Minimum Standards.
The Victorian Government outlines a list of 14 items that are mandatory in order to meet the Minimum Standards requirements. This list has been created to ensure all Victorian rental properties are safe, secure and livable.
More information about Minimum Standards can be found by following this link:
CONSUMER AFFAIRS -
MINIMUM STANDARDS
Whilst we are extremely thorough at our In-going and our Routine Inspections, we recommend engaging a company to specifically sign off on whether your property meets the Minimum Standards set out by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV).
With this in mind, we have spent some time researching who would be able to provide you peace of mind in relation to Minimum Standards and your property.
We have sourced a company that we feel provide the most cost effective, simple and transparent checks and reporting and would like to introduce them to you now. Please see their pamphlet in the following pages.
A link to websites of other providers we have researched are pasted below.
We have no concerns using these companies however CheckHero has proven to be the most cost effective.
What happens if my property does not meet Minimum Standards?
Failure by a Rental Provider to ensure their property meets the Minimum Standards can have serious financial consequences.
CAV have created a Taskforce in charge of auditing and issuing fines to Rental Providers whose properties do not meet Minimum Standards:
Up to $11,000 for individuals
Up to $57,000 for companies
So what does Hoskins recommend I do to protect myself and my renters?
We recommend engaging our preferred Minimum Standards inspection company (or one of your own choice) to complete a thorough report. Then engaging trades to complete any works required to bring the property up to Minimum Standards.
We will be sending an email out shortly to ask you to Opt In or Opt Out of this service.
Please respond promptly
Meet Rental Properties Minimum Standards and
Stay Protected
Avoid fines and stay compliant with CheckHero
Why Meeting Minimum Standards Matters
Victoria’s rental properties minimum standards ensure every property is safe, secure, and livable. Failing to meet these requirements can have serious consequences, including:
Why Choose CheckHero?
Hefty Fines: Non-compliance can result in heavy penalties, up to $11,000 for individuals and $57,000 for companies.
Tenant Disputes: Substandard properties increase the likelihood of complaints from tenants.
Reputational Damage: A non-compliant property can harm your reputation making it harder to attract quality tenants in the future.
Meeting these standards isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a smart way to protect your investments and provide renters with a safe, comfortable home.
CheckHero’s Rental Minimum Standards Check
Minimum standards fall into 14 categories and our comprehensive checks ensure your properties meet all 14 minimum standards required under Victorian rental laws.
Bathroom
Must have a sink, shower or bath, and hot/cold water with a 3-star efficiency-rated showerhead (1- or 2-star for older properties).
Electrical Safety
Modern switchboards with circuit breakers and safety switches, inspected by a licensed electrician.
Heating
Fixed, energy-efficient heater required in the main living area for agreements post-March 2023.
Kitchen
Dedicated cooking area with a sink, hot/cold water, and a working stovetop (two burners minimum). Ovens must be functional if present.
Laundry
Must be connected to hot and cold water.
Lighting
Working lights in all rooms, hallways, and corridors with access to natural and artificial light.
Locks
External entry doors must have deadlocks or key-operated locks, lockable from outside and openable from inside without a key.
Mould and Dampness
All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by the building structure.
Structural Soundness
The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
Toilets
Must be functional, connected to a sewerage/septic system, and located in a separate or appropriate room.
Ventilations
Adequate ventilation required in all rooms, including bathrooms, toilets, and laundries.
Vermin-Proof Bins
Provide vermin-proof rubbish and recycling bins that meet council standards.
Window Coverings
Living and sleeping areas must have curtains or blinds for privacy and light control.
Windows
All external windows that can be opened must have secure latches.
Time Saving Technology
Save your property managers time by relying on our integration with key property management systems including Property Tree and PropertyMe.
Cost-Effective Service
At just $149 + GST per property, we deliver high-quality compliance checks at an affordable price.
Seamless Repair
Following an unsuccessful inspection, we will provide you with a repair quote from a CheckHero tradesperson, backed by our best price guarantee.
Expert Support
Access ongoing guidance from compliance professionals, including certified electricians and plumbers.
Ensure Your Property to Meets The Standards
$149 + GST per property
Don’t risk costly penalties or compliance headaches.
With CheckHero, you can ensure your property is renter-ready and meets every requirement with ease.
New Rental Legislation
Our Property Management will send some further information about how these changes impact you once it becomes available.
Thursday, 6 March 2024
NEW LAWS PASSED TO MAKE RENTING FAIRER IN VICTORIA
The Allan Labor Government’s strong new rental protection laws have passed the Victorian Parliament – making renting fairer for Victorians and building on the more than 130 reforms introduced since 2021.
The Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024 delivers reforms to increase renter protections and cements Victoria as the best state in the nation for renters rights.
This includes stopping all types of rental bidding to ensure renters are getting a fair price and changing the notice period from 60 to 90 days – giving renters more time when they receive a notice of rental increase or notice to vacate.
The new laws also ban no fault evictions so that Victorian renters can’t be kicked out of their home for no reason.
Applying for a property will also be easier for both renters and real estate agents with a new standard application form for renters. Real estate agents will need to ensure they protect the information renters provide in their applications, adhering to privacy requirements around the use, disclosure and collection of information.
It will now also be an offence for renters to be charged fees by rent tech platforms when making a rental application or for paying their rent.
Real estate agents, property managers, owners corporations (OC) managers and conveyancers will also be required to be registered and undertake ongoing professional development to maintain their registration.
Penalties for real estate agents and sellers who break the law will be increased to a maximum of $47,422. These fines will apply to offences such as underquoting – advertising a price below the auction reserve or asking price –and making false and misleading representations during the property sale process.
Additional reforms in the Bill will make annual smoke alarm safety checks mandatory for all rental properties and will give the Director of Consumer Affairs and VCAT additional powers when considering rent increase reviews.
It will also be mandatory for properties to meet minimum standards when they are advertised for rent – not just when the tenant picks up the keys.
The new laws will come into effect in November with additional reforms announced last October to be introduced in a Bill later this year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos
“Victoria has the strongest rental protections in the country and this builds on our significant work to make renting fairer across the state.”
“We’re banning fees for rental applications or payments, lengthening the notice period for rental increases and notices to vacate, and banning all types of rental bidding – because it’s only fair that renters are treated with respect.”
Easter & ANZAC Day Opening Hours
Our team will be taking a well-earned break over the Easter Long Weekend.
Our office will be closed from: 5pm on Thursday 17 April
We will reopen: 9am on Tuesday 22 April
We will also be closed for the ANZAC Day Public Holiday on Friday 25 April Renters will be reminded of our Urgent Maintenance Procedures prior to our closure over these periods.
Should you require clarification on these procedures please reach out to your Property Manager.
