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
Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act-lessees can control their own destiny
Matthew Pennycock, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has made a Parliamentary Statement regarding the future progress of the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024. The Government have formally recognised the “significant complexity of the task” and that the legislation was rushed in at the end of the last parliament and as a result…
Read More 
Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 22/11/24
The current average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property is £225,340. For someone taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% LTV mortgage, the average monthly mortgage repayment on this type of home is now £1,104 per month if repaying over 25 years, compared with £1,138 per month a year ago (when the average first-time buyer property asking price was…
Read More 
The Architecture Of Attention Behind Social Media Addiction
In the digital age, social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Behind their sleek interfaces lies a sophisticated architecture of persuasive technology. These platforms employ intricate design patterns and technical elements to capture and hold user attention. From subtle visual cues to complex algorithmic systems, every feature serves a calculated…
Read More 
2025 Predictions for the Private Rental Sector
Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “As we approach 2025, the lettings industry is entering a phase marked by stabilisation and opportunity. Rental inflation has slowed to an average of 3-4% for new lets, reflecting the effects of affordability constraints; renters’ budgets are beginning to limit how much rents can rise.…
Read More 
Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on Leasehold Reform
Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.…
Read More 
Essential Garage Storage Solutions for Small Spaces
Maximize your garage space with practical storage ideas that keep your items organized and accessible. If you’re dealing with a smaller garage, smart solutions can make a big difference in keeping your space neat and usable. 1. Wall-Mounted Storage Wall-mounted storage is an excellent way to save space and keep your garage organized, especially in…
Read More