Landlord Information Archives | Page 3 of 6 | Blue Crystal Property Management

How to assess wear and tear at your rental property

It’s vital that a landlord has a comprehensive inventory with supporting photographs and videos at the end of a tenancy, especially when it comes to assessing what damage caused by the tenant is unreasonable and what might be considered ‘fair wear and tear’. Wear and tear is a fairly simple principle but can cause landlords a great deal of trouble unless they understand how it differs from wilful or negligent damage caused by the tenant and what level of costs can be proposed at the end of the tenancy. A certain amount of wear and tear is unavoidable in rental properties. Over time as tenants live in homes, some damage will occur. This isn’t a result of abuse or neglect by your tenants, meaning they can’t be held responsible for it. However, sometimes tenants do cause an unacceptable level of damage to furniture, fixtures and fittings which they’re liable for under the tenancy agreement.

How to keep good tenants

What are your expectations from tenants; contacting you when there’s an issue, always paying on time, respecting your property and the neighborhood. Finding great tenants can be easy, but once you lease your property, you need occupants who look after your property as if it is their own, you never want to see them move out. For landlords, the turnover of tenancy period comes with expenses that range from cleaning costs to possible repairs. Loss of rent especially if you are relying on rental income to pay your mortgage, utilities, and estate agents fees can all add up. Reducing or eliminating your turnover expenses by keeping good tenants longer could help you become a more profitable landlord. There are many advantages, including: Having consistent rental income Spending less time and effort preparing the unit for rent Avoiding the uncertainty of bringing in a new tenant Ensure to lease your property to the right person.

Importance of inventory at tenancy disputes

Experience shows that photographic and video evidence within your inventory can be vital in dispute cases. Once you have embedded your photos or videos into the inventory, as well as signing it yourself, don’t forget that your tenant also needs to sign it to confirm their agreement. Why should you use photographs and video to support the written inventory There are still landlords, managing agents and inventory clerks who choose not to use photographs in their inventories. This may well be because they’ve never had an inventory issue arise. It is bet to have it and not need it than not have it when you need it. Visual content is more important than ever. As a landlord, you will be aware that good quality photographic and video evidence is vital to help you demonstrate the extent of any damage or deterioration to your rental property during, and particularly at the end of a rental period. If you feel that it is reasonable to make a claim at the end of the tenancy, for things like cleaning, damage, or redecoration, then photographic or video evidence will assist in your negotiations with the tenant. In the unlikely event that you and your tenant cannot agree on the proposed costs and you need to use an alternative dispute resolution service, you will need to provide supporting evidence to an impartial adjudicator to support your claim.

Eviction ban extension for landlords

As it stand, a landlord can only gain possession if they have leave from the court or an exemption, which only applies to arrears of over six months, severe anti-social behaviour or domestic violence cases. The purpose of this advisory guidance is to help landlords and tenants understand the implications of the Coronavirus Act 2020. The Act provides protection to social and private tenants by delaying when landlords can start proceedings to evict tenants. The provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020, which increased the required notice period length, have now been extended through legislation. Ban on commercial evictions extended to 30 June and bailiff enforced eviction ban extended to 31 May to protect residential tenants. Business owners – many of whom have had to cease trading entirely during lockdown – are being given extra support after the government extended the ban on commercial evictions for a further 3 months, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (10 March 2021).

How to find a contractor

Finding a good contractor is important when you add a room, renovate a basement or carry out repairs. A home improvement project gone wrong will cost you. Good advertising isn’t proof a contractor does quality work. Check with friends, neighbours, or colleagues who’ve had improvement work done, and check out a contractor’s reputation on online ratings sites you trust. Get written estimates from several firms and keep in mind the lowest bidder may not be the best choice. How to find a contractor: Depending on how big or complex a project is, you might hire a: general contractor to manage all aspects of your project, including hiring and supervising subcontractors, obtaining building permits, and scheduling inspections specialty contractor, who installs particular products like cabinets and bathroom fixtures architect, who designs homes, additions, and major renovations — especially ones involving structural changes designer or design/build contractor, who provides all services

Landlord Tenant Relationship

If a problem arises, make sure it’s dealt with effectively and efficiently. Communicate clearly and if you agree on a certain course of action or deadline, make sure you stick to it. If you are struggling to agree matters with your tenant, call on a trusted third party to provide an independent point of view and act as mediator. A positive landlord and tenant relationship is invaluable and can be a huge asset to your business. Having a reputation as a good landlord will boost the rental potential of your property and getting on well with your tenant should ensure that the tenancy is fairly hassle-free. Happy tenants stay longer too, cutting down on the cost and inconvenience of re-letting or having a void property sitting on your books. Lastly, from a health and safety point of view, a positive relationship is much more likely to result in a high quality living environment.

How to be a landlord

Bear in mind being a landlord is a business Just like any business; you make money, you have expenses, and you pay taxes. If all goes well you’ll make a profit each month. While property is a fairly safe long-term investment, there is no guarantee of success, just with any other business. Many people become a landlord because they think it’s an easy way of making money. It is not always that easy as it seems. There are no guarantees. Understand what being a landlord actually means Many landlords step into the arena with a totally distorted view of what being a landlord actually entails.It seems exeptionally easy from a distace. You need to choose your tenants carefully. Be aware that you may end up dealing with repair and maintenance bills or rent arrears. The laws can be excruciatingly unfair towards landlords. They may come across more protecting of tenants and they are frequently changing. You always need money on the side so you can cover any unforeseen expenses. Void periods are common, this is when the property is vacant for short periods, particularly in-between tenancies. During that time you won’t receive rent, but you’ll probably still have a mortgage to pay, plus other expenses.

Landlord Tenant Mediation

A mediation takes place where an impartial person assists the disputing parties to resolve their conflict. The method of delivery for the service can be by phone. With the current COVID-19 situation and the announcement that court proceedings for evictions are suspended and that notice periods have been extended to three months, with the option of being extended to six months, it is more important than ever for landlords and tenants to try to discuss and come to an arrangement on tenancy matters.

Tenancies during Covid-19

The Government provides protection to social and private tenants by delaying when landlords can start proceedings to evict tenants. The provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020, that increased the required notice period length, were initially due to expire on 30 September 2020 but have now been extended through legislation to 31 March 2021. This means that from 29 August 2020, with the exception of the most serious cases, landlords will not be able to start possession proceedings unless they have given their tenants six months-notice. These serious cases include those in relation to anti-social behaviour including rioting, domestic abuse, fraud and where a tenant has accrued rent arrears to the value of over six months’ rent.

Recent Repossession Rules

New rules Coronavirus: repossessions are on hold The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that mortgage lenders must not start or continue court action for repossession until at least 31 October. Government says landlords must follow strict procedures if they want to gain possession of their property, depending on the type of tenancy agreement in place and the terms of it. The new rules mean: Landlords seeking possession of their property to set out in their claim any relevant information about a tenant’s circumstances, including information on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on a tenant’s vulnerability or social security position. These rules will apply to all possession proceedings either new or existing, including accelerated possession proceedings. Where this information is not provided, judges will have the ability to adjourn proceedings. These changes will be in place until the end of March 2021 but could be extended. Landlords will need to notify the Court and their tenant of their continued desire to seek repossession before the case will proceed using a reactivation notice. This rule includes accelerated possession cases and the government says it will ensure that the Court’s time is spent on the right cases. However a reactivation notice will NOT be needed for any claim where a possession order has been granted, suggesting landlords can move to execute the warrant via bailiff services.

Your responsibilities as a tenant

As a tenant, you are expected to occupy the property in a ‘tenant-like’ manner. It’s an odd phrase though it means that you should behave in a usual manner that a normal householder should do. Such as: Changing lightbulbs Changing or testing batteries in smoke or carbon monoxide detectors Not putting anything down sinks that might lead them to block Keeping the garden tidy if you have one Regularly cleaning the property Not allowing baths and showers to overflow What are the most common landlord mistakes

Tenants Rights

What are your rights as a tenant? Your rights and responsibilities are defined in the tenancy agreement. As a tenant moving into a privately rented property, you have a number of rights and responsibilities, just like your landlord. If you are unsure of your rights and responsibilities just read through the agreement for clarification. It will define your rights and responsibilites. The rights of a tenant As a tenant in a private rented property, your tenancy agreement thatr is co-signed by you and your landlord before you move in provides you with a number of rights:

What are the most common landlord mistakes

Overpricing the rental value Vendors will often talk up the rental value of their property, but landlords can easily check the actual value by talking to estate agents and checking properties on the market. In a highly price sensitive market, seeking an inflated rent will mean the property remain will remain vacant while the outgoings continue. Price it right at the beginning rather than reducing it a few weeks down the line. Poor presentation and cheap furniture People rent as a lifestyle choice, perhaps they can’t afford to buy. Many tenants will rent on long term basis. They want a property that feels like home, If the property is not looked after by the landlord, tenants will treat it badly or move into a better property. Good furniture lasts longer and presents the property better.

How to recover unpaid service charges

The leaseholder is required by the terms of their lease to pay the service charges and ground rent as determined by their lease in advance of the anticipated year’s expenditure. Any non payment will result in a breach of the lease. The landlord or resident management company would be required to collect the service charges and should initially try proactively to seek to get them paid, for example, finding easy ways for payments to be made, i.e. direct debit or making a concession as long as a precedent is not set. Many leases allow late payment interest fees to be charged by the landlord where leaseholders breach their lease by late payment. If you are a Residents Management Company, a Managing Agent or even a Landlord, then statistically, service charge arrears are the main causes of disputes between freeholders and leaseholders. A service charge is the cost of providing services for a property which usually contains multiple dwellings. In the vast number of cases these charges are 'fair and reasonable' and expected by the leaseholder and usually include some or all of the following: General maintenance. Building Insurance. Security, heating, cleaning and lighting of shared areas. Repairs Landscaping and general gardening. Provision and servicing of lifts. Management Costs. Reserve fund contributions.

Covid-19 Government Guidance for Landlords and Agents

UK Government has issued detailed guidance for the private rented sector to consolidate the various regulations that have changed, and guidance that has been given, in the last weeks. The measures set out in the guidance are in force until the end of September 2020, but can be extended if necessary. Tips on issuing a service charge demand Government guidance updated guidance on moving home during the pandemic the latest recommendations for Property inspections, maintenance and repairs the changes to Evictions and possession proceedings set out in the Coronavirus Bill Details of the Government help available for businesses

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for residential lettings

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect cannot be detected by testing alone. Where a landlord provides an electrical appliance as part of a tenancy, the law expects the appliance to be maintained in a safe condition that will not cause harm to the tenant. Failure to do so could lead to the landlord being sued for negligence. Portable appliance testing is always best practice for landlords but it is not a legal requirement.