disclosing address as self-managing landlord

Hi
In WA whenever preparing leases or issuing any notices or forms, an address of owner must be recorded.

How do other self managing landlords feel about this? Tenant knows owner's resi address which can be worrying when things go wrong or you come across a crazy tenant.

Does anyone use a PO address?

Would this likely be allowed? (Unlikely i think)
 
Notice is served either to a physical address or a PO Box. If you don't disclose an address the tenant cannot serve a notice in person. If you want the protection of not disclosing your address, use an agent.
 
Notice is served either to a physical address or a PO Box. If you don't disclose an address the tenant cannot serve a notice in person. If you want the protection of not disclosing your address, use an agent.

So recording a PO box instead of owner's residential address is sufficient?

Sorry, your first sentence makes it sound like it is, and your last sentence makes it sound like it isn't.
 
So recording a PO box instead of owner's residential address is sufficient?

Sorry, your first sentence makes it sound like it is, and your last sentence makes it sound like it isn't.

Its not sufficient in WA.

I would suggest not being worried about this. It seems a bit paranoid to me.
 
What are you afraid of?

Play by the rules and be fair. No worries.

Don't do this and I guess that's what you are afraid of...?

We have self managed for 14 years now and never an incident worth worrying over.
Tenants who may have agendas end up more worried to take us on than threaten. Most tenants appreciate being treated with respect, being shown their rights even showing them your rights as a landlord.

Simply by adorning the rules and regs at any opportunity, you will ensure what you are doing is correct. If you can't discern a good tenant from bad then maybe it's not for you.
 
So recording a PO box instead of owner's residential address is sufficient?

Sorry, your first sentence makes it sound like it is, and your last sentence makes it sound like it isn't.

The NSW forms have a postal address (if different to the address for service of notices). Post box is only a backup address, not the main address.
 
Hi
In WA whenever preparing leases or issuing any notices or forms, an address of owner must be recorded.

How do other self managing landlords feel about this? Tenant knows owner's resi address which can be worrying when things go wrong or you come across a crazy tenant.

Does anyone use a PO address?

Would this likely be allowed? (Unlikely i think)

Initially when I started self managing this was a concern and I used to use a PO Box. I have since hardened up and in July 2013 the rules changed so that one can no longer use a PO Box. However, I screen all tenants, verify details and referees and have them checked against tenancy database. Whilst not a guarantee, I have far more details on them than they have on me that it is no longer a concern.

I suggest you do the same and ensure applicants know that you are doing these checks.

If you do want to self manage but don't want to use your own address there is nothing stopping you from using an agent's address such as your accountant/ lawyer/butcher or whatever.

Be kind but firm with the ingoing tenant and never intimidated. If you don't feel comfortable managing your tenants you shouldn't try and in that case use a PM.
 
Yes it is a minor concern even with agent as they still have your name. Had one tenant who passed all the checks go off the rails, stopped paying rent/trashing house, and had to evict.
Husband turned up late one evening drunk as all hell, ranting and bashing on things.

I've since installed a better security screen and solid wood door with a small port hole.
If I have to evict someone I take a few more precautions around that period like ensuring screen is always locked. Unless something like an eviction is occurring I don't see it as an issue.
 
Use a work address...

Realise you are in WA and I am located in Vic but I have self managed a couple of properties, and had the same concern that I didn't want to disclose my personal address based on an admittedly small risk.

In saying that, I used one one of these a street address, in another, I used a Post office box number.

Used it for both RTBA address details and lease agreements.
 
I'm a WA self managing landlord. I initially was concerned, years later I can say that it has never been an issue. Had bever thought to put work address. I wouldn't do this just in case a notice went missing.

Seriously if you do the right screening you should be fine!
 
Hi Woodridge.

Your gut instincts are correct.

Never disclose your residential address to tenants.

Although many people will never have a negative experience with tenants, it is simply a numbers game. Deal with enough tenancies and you will experience aggression. I have managed over a thousand tenancies. A certain percentage will be evicted. Some tenants will turn violent. By violence, I mean shouting, pushing, shoving, spitting, hitting, death threats, that sort of thing. The usual triggers are non-payment of rent, dispute over bond disposal or abandoned possessions. In these situations you will not be dealing with logic or rules, but rather with emotion and in isolated instances physical violence.

The best solution is to use a property manager so that you are distanced from the tenant.

Failing that,

1. PO Box - preferably in a different suburb to where you live.
2. Get out of the white pages.
3. Get off the electoral roll.
4. Get off property search databases.
5. Get all traces of personal residence off the internet - facebook etc.

Its a long and complicated process but worth it for the sleep at night factor.

I know there are a small percentage of Somersoft landlords out there that know exactly what I am talking about.

Cheers and good luck.

Burbs
 
Hi Woodridge.

Your gut instincts are correct.

Never disclose your residential address to tenants.

So basically what you're saying is to put on your tinfoil hat and straight up break the law:

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/rta1987207/s51.html

Note the potential $5k fine.

I suppose what we do agree on is to get a property manager if your paranoia or lack of dispute management skills preclude you from being reasonably able to manage a residential lease.
 
The RTA requires disclosure of address, not residential address.

It is common practice for owners and agents to disclose a PO Box. This did not change with the new legislation on 1 July 2013.

I find your mention of tinfoil hat, paranoia and lack of dispute management skills insulting and ignorant.

Burbs.
 
The RTA requires disclosure of address, not residential address.

Address means ordinary address in this context. A PO Box is a postal address. Try lodging at the courts with a postal address and see how far you get with the registry.

It is common practice for owners and agents to disclose a PO Box. This did not change with the new legislation on 1 July 2013.

Its not common practice at all in WA. I review different residential leases weekly and I've only seen a few leases with attempts to use PO Boxes in lieu of an ordinary address. None of which were by PMs - presumably after being told off by the courts and Consumer Protection repeatedly about the practice.

I find your mention of tinfoil hat, paranoia and lack of dispute management skills insulting and ignorant.

Shrug, find it insulting if you wish - I was speaking generally about having that attitude . As for ignorant - you do realise I'm one of a handful of specialist residential tenancy lawyers in WA? Teach at law schools and other lawyers, consulted by Consumer Protection on law reform, etc.

I got my stats for last year recently - final count was over 4.5k matters I personally supervised. I think there were 2 or 3 aggro tenants in there out of that lot, and none that took it any further than some shouting matches.

Unfortunately, there were at least 20 "bad" landlords who had done things like break into the house, steal things from the tenants, and even 2 or 3 who had assaulted the tenants and had restraining orders and charges pending.

If only tenants could hide their address from the landlord eh?
 
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Having used postal address for many years, I have not had a problem with the registry.

Specialist residential tenancy lawyers in WA? I have never come across one. I have dealt with many para-legal workers, in various government-funded legal help services for tenants. In general I have found a lack of understanding for the reality of owning residential property. As the Magistrates Court is a no-cost jurisdiction, I have never personally come across a lawyer who works in residential tenancy court. I have personally represented owners in Kalgoorlie, Midland, Rockingham and Perth Magistrates Courts, and often met para-legals, but never lawyers.

You appear to be ignorant about violence committed by tenants. For example in Perth 4 weeks ago a property manager was bashed by a tenant at a final inspection - see http://www.rpmonline.com.au/news/12352-property-manager-beaten-by-tenant.

20 bad landlords over a year? Its possible, for sure. But compare that around 100 plus tenants every single week in WA taken to court for non-payment of rent, property damage etc.

Tenants hide their address from the landlord? They do that all the time. Its called leaving without a forwarding address. Commonest trick in the departing tenant's book.

I have made this original post not for legals but for Woodbridge and other owners who have concerns for their privacy and safety. Play it safe okay? When you have done a hostile eviction, and the tenant has threatened you and your family, you will rest a little easier if the tenant does not know where you live.
 
Another private landlord chiming in! I can relate to the paranoia but ultimately its a pretty small risk and comes with the territory. I don't worry about it and just try to pick tenants scrawnier than me. Kidding!
 
Agree with Burbs re numbers game, had my fill of death threats, attempted violence and personal risk from my high-risk days of managing 3 van parks and one rent roll. I believe the purpose of the legislation is to acknowledge the tenant's rights to have an address considered valid for the serving of legal notices on the landlord and reaching the landlord with other communications. I don't believe that entitles them to a home address where the landlord may be "reached" 24/7. For the same reason, many Property Managers don't have their photo on their business card and they definitely don't provide their own personal home addresses.
You could provide the address of your accountant or solicitor for important matters plus a P.O. box for daily or mundane stuff.
Otherwise, use a PM, they deserve their fees as you can see reading these posts.
Good luck
cheers
crest133
 
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