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

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More