"This brought in amateurs, people who have not the foggiest idea of whats involved as distinct from the professionals who do try to do it in a fair manner because they can see they will lose money otherwise."
Yes agree many people get in over their head no matter what the asset class. At the end of the day though we all start out as amateurs and learn over time as no matter how much research you put in upfront the reality can often be very different. It is a steep learning curve at the start especially when you are managing the properties yourself - but given a bit of time you know how to handle things. Reality is you have to be diplomatic in dealing with your tenants and listen to their needs to endeavor to keep them happy - but you also have to be willing to be the meanest person in the room if things turn bad to get rid of a bad tenant in the quickest most efficient manner.
"The tenancy laws do not recognize the people who do want and need to rent long term. In Australian residential tenancy laws there is no provision for long term tenants."
You are right to a degree - but at the same token to date it is the tenants that wanted the shorter lease not me. That said most of the leases have just been extended period after period for years in many cases.
"Many of the properties that investors buy for rentals are not suitable for rentals. They are bought because they are cheap. "
Really depends on what market you are aiming at. Personally I buy the cheapest properties in the outer-suburbs of Adelaide but at the same token I would not expect a tenant to live in the house if I wouldn't live in it either in its purchased condition or that condition with a few tidy ups/repairs.
"Part of this teaching is that when a tenant says that something is not working it is fixed instantly, not in two or three weeks."
I will caveat that on depending what is wrong. If it is an essential item/tap that wont shut off/security issue etc I agree it needs to be rectified asap. However many issues can be fixed in a longer time frame - many of these things I will do pretty quickly anyway but as long as you agree to a fix time frame that both parties are happy with then I don't see it as an issue. Reality is in many cases over the years the hardest thing is knowing that there is a problem as many tenants either ignore it or just simply don't raise it as an issue - so it can't be fixed if you don't know about it.
"Don't ask the tenant to do something if you are not prepared to do it."
IMHO a tenant should NEVER fix anything in your house as if they bugger it up it will cost you and them.
