Ep 78. International Women’s Day Bonus

0:00Hi and welcome back to this bonus episode of the Buy Your Sac podcast with Niki Montezer. Niki, welcome back. Thank you. For International Women's Day, I just wanted to pick your brain a little bit longer talking about women specifically in the rental market. So if you guys haven't heard the last episode, Niki is the property manager and owner of the front door property, who is a rental manager in the Sydney market and she came on my podcast only the other week and gave us some insight if you're renting in the Sydney market, you know, things to improve your application. But for International Women's Day, I thought I'd have you back for this bonus episode. And I wanted to ask you, as a female business owner, but you know, also having rented in the past, etc, what would you recommend women do to improve their chances? Look, we see the whole range of people's lifestyles from when they're first moving

1:01into a property together to perhaps they've had a separation or a death in the family, etc. So I think it's really important that very beginning step are a lady to be a woman to be on the list as well. And to put some of the utilities in her name as well, build up a credit rating, get a rental history. Because while things are great at the beginning, you just don't know what the future holds. And look, if you're going through a separation, for example, it can be absolutely traumatic at the time. You've got so much going on. If you built up your rental history and your credit rating, it certainly makes a process a lot quicker and easier for them and one less thing to worry about. I think that's really important. Young couples are saying they're coming in and they're about to have a family get married and you know, a lot of the young ladies say, I'll just put my partner on the list. It's easier. It's quicker. And that's sort of safe. What do you hold on a minute? Let's get you on the list too. Yeah, yeah. I'm a rental history. Because if you have none, if you have none of it, it takes years to build up. So that could mean it does and usually in the circumstances where the woman is moving

2:04because of a separation just as an example, there's a lot going on in their life right now. And if their last property was in their husband's name only, it's really hard for us also to get that reference for them. So it's just, look, it's a really small but important step and I always advocate for the woman just to set yourself up on the future, start at the right place at the beginning and get that rental history going. Yeah, that makes absolute sense. And so from your perspective, I'd love to hear your take on this. We know that the statistics are out there that single women with dependence over the age of 50 are the largest growing demographic of becoming homeless, which is incredibly frightening. I'm over 50. I have two kids. I'm a single woman, you know, to think about that is horrifying. And I imagine part of that is because these women have been in long-term relationships, have not had that financial literacy, that independence, the least rental history, et cetera, the credibility, I guess, to be seen as a real potential to rent a property.

3:08What would you say to landlords in particular, but even renters, what is your take on it? You know, also being a female business owner. Look, I think for landlords, it's really important to never just dismiss, you know, a single mum's application. I think in the past, that's happened a lot. These women to get into a property where they are safe and secure and a home to build up a new life for their children. They're so grateful. And look, we've just had the most incredible tenants. They have been in that circumstance. They're so grateful and relieved to be out of whatever situation they've come from. And they have made the most amazing tenants. Absolutely incredible. I think for landlords, you know, definitely look at those applications as a positive because from my experience as a property manager, it's absolutely positive to have single parents, single mums, women coming out of relationships, et cetera. So there you go. So on paper, it may not be the most obvious choice, but you actually find that in practice, it makes total sense to give these women a chance and place them in a rental property

4:11for your landlords. Absolutely. I think that's it. It's just that you're giving them a chance and never had a problem. We always explain to our landlord, you know, if we get to applications, we'll say, look, we've got this one versus this one. And we sort of put our case forward of which one we think that they should go with it. We do give them their advice. They ultimately make the final decision, but certainly my landlords are absolutely brilliant and lovely and they have always gone to the ladies that need it. If we get an application for someone we think really needs it, then absolutely we look at those in a positive light. And particularly in this country, there's not much, if at all, really a safety net to catch these women, you know, from a governmental perspective, public social housing. I mean, really, it doesn't really exist when you need it. So thanks, Nicky. I really appreciate your insights. Great to have you back for International Women's Day. If you want to get in touch with Nicky, how can they get in touch with you? Just through our website and frontdoorproperty.com.au, it's got all about contact details on there. Fantastic. Thank you for coming on the podcast again, Nicky.

5:13If you have any questions for me, get in touch. Hello at byaside.com.au and did you know I have a course coming out? I am so excited. It's an online course. It's going to be eight modules with downloadables, worksheets of Facebook interactive, lives where you can pick my brain even more. If you're wanting to get into the property market and you want a little bit more help on how to do things, practical tools, etc, maybe you want to sign up for the better home buying course. Drop me a line at helloadbyaside.com to get on the wait list and I can't wait to see you there. Thank you so much for listening and until next time.