Landlord Information Archives | Page 2 of 6 | Blue Crystal Property Management

Water Escape

How to spot signs of escape of water Water escape can wreak havoc, leading to costly damages and inconveniences. Whether it’s a burst pipe, a leaky washing machine, or a faulty central heating system, escape of water damage can be severe. As a tenant or landlord, knowing how to spot the signs of water escape […]

What are common tenant complaints

Being a landlord is another job, however attentive you may be, you may not be able to stay on top of it. As a landlord you must ensure you deal with tenant complaints in the right manner. Dealing with tenants’ concerns will help you establish your reputation as a person who cares about the well-being and safety of their tenants. What are most common tenant complaints Lack of repairs and/or maintenance Complaints about maintenance or necessary repairs is very common with rental properties and sometimes there isn’t an easy fix. You must ensure at the start of a tenancy that both parties are aware of their responsibilities. For example; damp issues, mould, issues with electrics, plumbing and safety aspects such as locks on windows and doors, light bulb changing or how to deal with the fire alarm system. Perhaps you can prepare a house guide for your tenant. If a repair has been reported to you by your tenant, it is always good practice to let them know you are aware of their issue and you are working to find a solution as quickly as possible.

How to deal with an antisocial tenant?

Problem tenants are difficult to deal with for landlords; despite the government introducing an exception to the additional protections, a fast-track process for repossession cases featuring antisocial behaviour, the process is still likely to be long and arduous. Landlords faced with anti-social behaviour need to build-up a record of incidents which affect neighbours and other tenants. Keeping a diary of events, getting hold of witness statements from those affected, plus police reports of criminal activity and police call-outs is that all-important evidence to support such an application to the courts and this takes time.

Fire, health and safety tips for landlords

As fire, health and safety are extremely important, we have put together these safety tips for landlords. Landlords are responsible for the safety of their tenants. They have to ensure that the property they let is safe to live in. This includes not only the physical structure, but also the contents of the property and […]

Tenants Insurance Policy

Renting a home can be a great experience; you have a place to live, and the landlord takes care of maintenance and repairs. Yet if you were a victim of theft, or there was a flood or fire in your home, the landlord’s insurance will usually only cover damage to the building itself, not to […]

Changes to ground rent charges

Good news for those looking to buy a home – the Government is implementing significant changes to property law on charging ground rent on new leases in England and Wales under the Leasehold Reform Ground Rent Act (LRGRA 2022). When it comes into force on 30 June 2022, it will mean that property purchase bills […]

What are cleaning disputes at the end of a tenancy

The expected level of cleanliness of a rental property at the end of tenancy is generally open to interpretation. This is possibly why so many disputes adjudicated by the tenancy deposit scheme are about cleanliness levels. When it comes to cleaning your rented home, your landlord or letting agent should only expect you to clean the property to its standard when you moved in while accounting for general wear and tear. Whether you hire a professional cleaner to do the job or decide to do it yourself, it's essential to ensure to have an inventory report to compare before and after a tenancy from a cleaning point of view.

Fair wear and tear guide for landlords

Wear and tear must always be differentiated from wilful or negligent damage caused by the tenant to decide what level of costs can be proposed at the end of a tenancy. Fair wear and tear is reasonable use of the premises by the tenant and the ordinary operation of natural forces. Below guide will give an understanding of the term fair wear and tear from a landlords perspective. What is normal wear and tear in a rental property A tenants responsibility is to take proper care of the place he/she is renting. A tenant must do the little jobs at the place which a reasonable tenant would do. In addition, he must not damage the property wilfully or negligently; and he must ensure his family and guests do not damage the property and if they do, the tenant must repair it. If the property falls into disrepair through fair wear and tear or lapse of time, or for any reason not caused by him, the tenant is not liable to repair it.

Handling an end of tenancy

What happens when a tenancy ends Most tenancies end amicably, with the tenant giving notice then handing back the keys and agreeing with the landlord or agent on any cost that needs to be paid. But some end up in disputes over the state of how the property was returned. check the tenancy agreement as it outlines responsibilities note the condition and standard of the property and its cleanliness at the start of the tenancy via an inventory report so expectations can be managed by both sides be open to compromise to come to an agreement

How to avoid tenancy disputes

The tenancy agreement is the essence of a successful tenancy – it protects the property, outlines the landlord and the tenant’s responsibilities, and can prevent disputes arising. A comprehensive tenancy agreement safeguards the interests of both parties to create the foundations for a smooth tenancy. It is important to have a clear tenancy agreement, what should be included in a tenancy agreement and what to do when the agreement expires. Being a landlord can be an extremely rewarding but it can also be a challenging. There are many tasks to be carried out, as well as the duty of care to your tenants and legal responsibilities to keep up to date with. The tenancy agreement is part of these requirements and is the bedrock of a successful tenancy.

What you should look out for during a property inspection

Once you have agreed a time and date with the tenant, the inspection can go ahead. As a landlord, it’s your duty to make sure your property is legally compliant and a safe place for your tenants to live. Yourself or the agent will be looking to see if anything needs to be repaired or replaced during the inspection, and whether there is anything that may represent a danger to the tenant. It’s also an opportunity to check that the tenant is not in breach of the tenancy agreement. Inspections are also a perfect opportunity to check in with your tenants, make sure tenants are happy and to discuss and resolve any potential issues they may have. You should check Statutory inspection checks Property condition Tenancy breaches

Why are regular property inspections important

The main purpose of an inspection is to find out the overall condition of the interior and exterior of a property and record any repairs or maintenance that may be required. This is a way of maintaining a good relationship with the tenant and it is also an opportunity to remind them of their responsibilities. During an inspection, tenants can ask questions or discuss issues they may be experiencing with the property. It is important to carry out regular checks as they will highlight any necessary maintenance or safety issues which can be dealt imminently. Regular property inspection will help you keep your tenant safe and avoid unnecessary costs and complaints from them. Ensure to not carry out these checks too often or unnecessarily, as it could put a strain on the relationship.

The importance of property inventories

A property inventory is a valuable report that is used by landlords to ensure that their property is left in as good conditions as it was rented out in - this report is essential for helping to prevent disputes with tenants as it aids to help communications and bring issues to the surface before they can grow. This report is a document that measures the state of a property - these should be carried out twice; the inventory (the beginning of a tenancy), and the checkout (the end). The first inventory: The first inventory is commonly considered the more important of the two - it should be used to detail every aspect of the property and the conditions of them, such as the floors: is it carpet or wooden, and are there stains? The schedule of condition offers protection against structural damage that can occur within a tenancy, this protects against more than just the conditions of furniture - making this crucial to any landlord regardless of if the property will be let furnished or not. A recommendable tip would be to use photographic evidence in these reports to make them indisputable.

The Good Tenant Guide

What makes a good and dependable tenant? Responds to all questions in detail prior to tenancy agreement and provides all information They complete the application fully with all the necessary proof and referee contact details included. It needs to clearly identify that the potential tenant can meet rent payments and take good care of the property. Has a good track record When requested references from the previous property management or landlord; they can provide you with statements showing rent paid on time and you are also provided with good character references. A good tenant should have excellent references.

Can landlords have tax efficiency and flexibility?

There are many factors that get overlooked when understanding how to navigate yourself as a landlord, the most difficult of which I believe to be, is how to have tax efficiency - so let's change that. First we must look at how to create tax efficiency, so what are our options? Our most highly recommended ideas that get most overwhelmingly overlooked are: Tax bands not being taken advantage of. Capital Gains Tax is usually not paid when assets are transferred between spouses, this essentially allows you as a landlord to cut your tax bill by simply just transferring your assets to your partner, so what’s stopping you?

What are tenancy disputes?

Residential tenancy dispute What are tenancy disputes? Tenancy disputes are the formal method of resolving complications between a landlord and tenant. Tenancy disputes have the potential to be devastating to relationships between tenants and landlords, making the prevention of such an occurrence a necessity. By learning how to successfully avoid disputes, the conditions and communications […]