Nor'West News: May 19, 2022

16
Thursday May 19 2022
RAY WHITE PAPANUI NEWS
Top 10 affordable tips to jazz up your
outdoor space for Summer
Achieving a beautiful and vibrant
outdoor living space, where you can
entertain family and friends in style, as
well as relaxation, need not require a
major overhaul.
Here are a few tips to get the
imagination going — using functional
pieces that are also designed to bring
pleasure. Why not use the Winter
months to spice up your outdoor area
ready for this Summer.
Simple steps to achieve al fresco
appeal
1. Applying colour to the table in the
form of a fun tablecloth will
automatically set the mood. Layering
the tablecloth with a runner of a
different texture or contrasting
coloured napkins adds another
dimension.
2. Put some simple fresh flowers
or plants in small vessels to bring
nature to the table.
3. Gather serving platters, trays and
dinnerware in contrasting materials
to create an eclectic and stylish
setting.
4. A fruit-infused water station
in the form of a dispenser or
jug will serve as cool,
refreshingly flavoured
hydration.
5. Hanging or wall planters add
much-needed greenery, even
in the smallest of outdoor
spaces.
6. Background music to bop
along to always helps!
7. Lighting in the form of fairy
lights or spotlights help to
create an inviting ambience.
8. Blurring the line between indoor
and outdoor living is a stylish tactic
– wide, open doors with flooring
that flows could work with outdoor
rugs when connecting the indoor
and outdoor areas.
9. Adding cushions to outdoor seating
will create an inviting area for
comfort.
Wicker chairs with soft cushions are
great for a rustic look, while wooden
or metal seating creates a modern/
industrial feel.
10. Remember that distinctive
pieces needn’t cost the earth,
but they will always catch the eye
and set the tone for your dream
outdoor zone.
Content inspired by Real Estate Voice
Vanessa Golightly,
Business Owner
and Licensee Agent
Ray White Papanui
027 664 9292
Vanessa Golightly
Licensee Agent &
Business Owner
027 664 9292
Stuart Morris
Licensee Agent
& Auctioneer
027 422 6395
Claire Morris
Licensee Agent &
Business Owner
027 662 4822
Tracy Thomson
Licensee Salesperson
027 440 3035
How Should Rent Increases Be Handled?
In the current climate we are seeing
fairly large rent increases become the
norm, and while there is a very firm
law around increasing rent, I believe
we do also have a responsibility to be
empathetic when dealing with these.
I spoke to a tenant who rents through
another property management
company recently who was quite
distraught when she received an $85
per week increase, and of course she
only has 60 days to come up with a plan
to make that affordable. Now in this
instance she is a working single mum so
will likely comply for some assistance
from WINZ, but when she called them
they cannot tell her 60 days in advance
what, if any, financial assistance she will
be eligible for - Panic stations!! That is
a whole different subject we can save
for a different day!
This made me think about how our
Feature Property
own company handles issuing rent
increases, and I am proud to say that
while we absolutely understand that
rent increases are part of a renter’s life
particularly with landlords’ costs rising
so much lately, we approach it much
differently.
Firstly, when we speak with landlords
about rent increases we will send
them a thorough rental assessment to
show what the current market rent is
on comparable properties and make
a recommendation guideline. We do
also encourage an open conversation
around the increase and how it may
impact the tenants, I guess what we like
to avoid is going into the situation all
guns blazing without thinking through
all possible outcomes.
When we do come across a rent which
does need to be increased substantially
we ensure we pick up the phone and
Sold Property
speak with the tenant so that we are
able to explain why the increase needs
to be a little higher, and also we can
offer them advice on the assistance
they can apply for if the increase is
going to be difficult for them.
While we are employed by the
landlord to ensure they receive the
maximum income for their property
and advise our landlords to that effect,
we also understand that treating
tenants respectfully and having open
communication will in fact work better
for all parties involved and make for a
much better overall outcome for our
landlords and tenants alike.
Katrina Green,
Operations Manager
Property Management
027 606 0030
Katrina Green
Property Management
Operations Manager
027 606 0030
Ben McNab
Licensee Salesperson
& Auctioneer
027 427 7232
Georgia Tuuta
Executive Assistant
Maria Paterson
Licensee Salesperson
027 543 4689
Olivia Hendry
Executive Assistant &
Licensee Salesperson
021 337 250
Staci Burnett
Mortgage Broker
027 233 9989
Rodney King
Mortgage Broker
0274 555 863
108 Ensors Road, Woolston
Vanessa Golightly & Maria Paterson
18 Richard Hadlee Lane, Rolleston
Tracy Thomson & Hasna Ngara
Level 1, 7 Winston Avenue, Papanui
Phone (03) 352 0567 | rwpapanui.co.nz | /RayWhitePapanui Morris & Co Limited | Licenced REAA 2008