Sappy Dappy and the case of £70,000 of property damage
Among the stories about celebrity deaths, drunken debauchery and New Year diets, there was an article over Christmas concerning the behaviour of Dappy – a British rapper and former band member of N-Dubz (you might have to go Google that one). He hadn’t been ousted in a sex or drugs expose but shamed for his behavior in a rental property. The artist had been a tenant in a rather expensive, Grade II listed property in Hertfordshire and his former landlord made a beeline for a red-top newspaper as soon as the tenancy ended, blaming Dappy for £70,000 worth of damage.
Here’s the rub – and it might be a familiar scenario for letting agents and property managers up and down the country. Dappy responded to the accusations by denying he was at fault, insisting the damage must have occurred after he had vacated the property. He was even quoted saying that he’d bagged up all the rubbish when he left! The landlord’s photos, however, show a trail of damage and destruction. I think it’s safe to say any deposit paid will not be refunded. It’s a case of one man’s words against another.
This is the perfect illustration as to why a professional check in, inventory and check out is so important in lettings. Photographic evidence of the state of a rental property together with supporting documentation when a tenant moves in – and out again at the end of the tenancy – is crucial to resolving disputes. I’d also go as far as saying regular inspections are also worth their weight in gold, even if it’s to nip in the bud small niggles that could potentially escalate into major problems. Regular visits also give you clues as to the conduct of the tenants – sadly sometimes the lifestyle choices of renters can ruin a good buy-to-let.
Landlords need to be clear that the impartially of check ins, check outs, inventories and inspections is just as important as conducting them in the first place. A professional third parting taking photographs and producing reports absolves the issue of bias. While the landlord in the Dappy case had photographs, who can prove when they were taken and by whom?
As we start 2017 with some agents look to cut corners ahead of shrinking incomes, some services are clearly too important to dismiss. Your check in, check out, inventory and inspection specialism should be of particular interest to landlords as they look to protect their assets and revenues, so get selling your services!
By Simon Duce simon.duce@arpm.co.uk www.arpm.co.uk
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