10 tips for avoiding tenancy disputes.
May 26, 2015
- Contract a fully regulated, independent Inventory Clerk.
The main causes of landlord / tenant disputes in rented accommodation are damage and cleaning, therefore without a thorough inventory in place (at check-in and check-out) landlords have much less chance of winning a dispute if they have no detailed evidence of the original condition of the property. - Ensure your Agreements are correct.
Double check dates and rental amounts.
Be able to provide up to date Gas Safety Certificates, along with EPC’s & PAT testing (where necessary) to prove that your property and its contents is safe. - Deposit Protection.
If you take deposits, register them with one of the three government-backed Tenancy Deposit Schemes;
– Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
– MyDeposits
– Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
- Tenants need to be made aware of their contractual obligations.
Ask them if there’s anything they don’t understand in the tenancy agreement. And don’t forget to make them aware of the utility bills and any other costs that they are liable for. - Make it clear what costs are involved e.g. administration fees, referencing, etc.
- Pre-tenancy.
Conduct thorough tenant referencing procedures, making sure that you obtain references from the tenants’ previous landlord(s). Speaking to someone first hand can tell you so much more than a simple credit report can, and can sometimes reveal whether the tenant has ever had a dispute in a previous tenancy, therefore helping you to gauge their character. - Maintenance.
Ensure that your property is in good repair and fit for rental.
Encourage tenants to report any problems with the property as soon as they occur, thus avoiding more costly problems in the future. - Inspections.
Regular inspections not only flag up maintenance issues but can also tell you whether there are unauthorised individuals living in the property, that are not listed on the tenancy agreement. Subletting is not usually allowed within residential tenancies, and unchecked tenants could also cause disputes with neighbouring properties e.g. noise. - Establish a good line of communication with your tenant and try to remain calm and professional at all times.
If things do start to escalate make sure that you record all interactions with the tenant (texts, emails, etc) and where possible have a witness present if you are dealing with them face-to-face. - Always give tenants the required notice before entering the property, as then there can be no dispute over unauthorised entry.
Landlords want a happy tenant who pays their rent consistently and looks after the property. So it is always best to do your utmost to avoid disputes, as they can be extremely stressful, tiresome and expensive.
This post was originally published by Yellow Oak Inventories on January 19 2015 http://bit.ly/1cfLhL5
You May Also Enjoy
Ignoring these simple winter property maintenance tasks could cost you big time
The latest research from nationwide cash buying company and quick sale specialists, Springbok Properties, has revealed that failing to complete some of the most common winter home maintenance tasks could cost homeowners thousands of pounds, as ignored issues turn into major repair jobs over the colder months. Springbok Properties analysed a series of essential winter…
Read More 
Half of first-time buyers delaying until after the Budget
The latest research from eXp UK has revealed that almost half of first-time buyers (47%) have paused their homebuying plans until after the Autumn Budget, as uncertainty around potential tax and housing policy changes continues to weigh on buyer confidence. However, it’s not short-term tax tweaks they’re waiting for. The survey of aspiring homeowners, commissioned…
Read More 
Moneyfacts Average Mortgage Rate dips below 5%
The Moneyfacts Average Mortgage Rate has dropped below 5%. The latest analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk reveals how the rate has changed over time. Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said: “Borrowers will no doubt be thrilled to see mortgage rates drop, particularly the millions due to come off a cheap fixed rate before the year is…
Read More 
Does the market even need a Budget boost?
The latest market analysis from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has suggests that, despite mounting speculation around what support might come for homebuyers in the forthcoming Autumn Budget, the UK property market is already showing impressive stability and resilience – raising the question of whether it even needs a policy boost at…
Read More 
What You Need To Consider Before Diving Into Property Investments
Are you interested in exploring property investments? This is a smart choice because it means that you can explore ways to diversify and grow your finances, even over a limited period. That said, there are lots of factors that you need to consider here to make sure that you are going to be able to…
Read More 
Forget kerb appeal: LRG report reveals what really triggers a homebuyer’s offer
One of the UK’s largest property services groups has published its debut sales report, uncovering what genuinely persuades buyers to make an offer – and the findings challenge the traditional focus on kerb appeal. While sellers often guess which improvements will pay off, the data shows where money is well spent and where it’s wasted.…
Read More