Repair Tips For Landlords from @Fixflo:
January 12, 2016
Investing in property may be seen as a safe way to make money, but it can be an expensive one too!
If you’re new to buy to let you’ll quickly find out that the costs don’t stop once you’ve purchased the property.
While ensuring that rent covers your fixed outgoings (mortgage, insurance, service charge etc) is a critical first step, overlook variable repairs/maintenance costs at your peril.
For those landlords who self-manage and are uncertain as to the scope of their repairing responsibilities, Government website gov.uk lists them as the following:
- heating and hot water
- gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation
- the property’s structure and exterior
- basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains
- electrical wiring
- any damage caused by attempting repairs
It’s also worth noting that upcoming changes to the rules around serving a section 21 notice are reframing landlords’ responsibilities in terms of the condition of their property rather than disrepair. (see more at: www.fixflo.com/Section-21)
Many landlords outsource the additional stress that managing a property causes to their local letting agency.
Professional property management costs but it should mean that your property is managed by someone who knows the sea of legislation and regulation that governs property management and which changes all too frequently!
In addition professional property management should shield you from the day-to-day dramas that tenants may call to their attention – from broken boilers to cracked guttering and anything in between.
They may also benefit from having a wide and deep pool of local contractors who will be available to fix your property around the clock if something serious goes wrong.
If you choose to take up this option, it’s essential to ask your agency exactly how they deal with repairs, what kind of timescale they work on, and how much they plan to consult you on a short-term basis.
Some agents may suggest you provide a working float which they can dip into for minor repairs rather than having to constantly consult you. This means faster repairs for your tenants and a more hands off investment for you.
Others may opt to run each and every repair by you instead.
For landlords who choose not to exercise their right to outsource property management and want to take a more DIY approach, the most important pieces of advice we have is to always deal with issues promptly and to be accessible to your tenants.
Many landlords find out the hard way what a negative effect waiting even a few weeks can have on their property following leaks. This truly is a case of time costing money.
Click here to see if the agency you use has is one of the hundreds across the UK that have invested in a Fixflo system to protect their clients’ properties.
If they haven’t ask them what processes they have in place to:
-communicate with tenants who don’t speak English proficiently
-boost first time fixes and reduce your costs
-ensure your tenants know what to do to protect your property in an emergency
You May Also Enjoy
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 
Prime London’s love affair with period homes continues
One in four listings are historic properties The latest research from Jefferies London shows that nearly a quarter of homes listed for sale across prime central London (23.3%) offer high-end homebuyers the chance to secure a period property, with demand for prime period properties at its highest in Maida Vale. Jefferies London analysed current for…
Read More 
Industry Response to latest Nationwide House Price Index
Nationwide House Price Index for October 2025, with the latest figures showing no Halloween haunting for homebuyers where house price growth is concerned – despite widespread talks of Autumn Budget uncertainty hitting the market. The latest index shows that: – House prices increased by 0.3% between September and October of this year. On an annual…
Read More 
The capital’s most haunted property hotspots for Halloween homebuyers
The latest analysis by Foxtons has revealed which of the capital’s spookiest postcodes command the largest house price premiums, as the average cost of purchasing a property in one of London’s most haunted neighbourhoods comes in 48% more than the wider London average. Foxtons analysed the property market across 14 of London’s most haunted locations,…
Read More 
Annual house price growth edges higher in October
Slight increase in annual house price growth to 2.4% House prices were up 0.3% month on month Kitchen and bathroom renovations most popular amongst homeowners in last five years Analysis based on Nationwide’s HPI data shows extensions or loft conversions with a bedroom can increase house value by up to 24% Headlines Oct-25 Sep-25 Monthly…
Read More 
How much will a Halloween Castle set you back
The latest research from Enness Global has revealed that, for those looking to follow in the footsteps of Count Dracula this Halloween, the average castle on the UK market will set buyers back around £2.2 million, requiring a deposit of £332,609 and a monthly mortgage repayment of more than £10,000. Enness Global analysed current castle…
Read More