Tenant Information Archives | Blue Crystal Property Management

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.

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 […]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Tenant responsibilities and rights

You have certain rights and responsibilities when you are a tenant in privately rented property. When renting a residential property through an AST the landlord is responsible for certain repairs to the property, including the structure and exterior of the property. The landlord is required to keep the equipment for the supply of gas, electricity and water in a safe and good working order. The tenant must ensure the property is kept clean and carry out any minor maintenance repairs as well as any other responsibilities which may be stated in the tenancy agreement.

How long does an eviction take – and more useful information

How long does an eviction take Repossession is the last situation a landlord wants to consider, but if you find yourself in a position where you need to retrieve your property from tenants you need to know where you stand. But if you found yourself needing to take back control of your property, would you […]

Evicting a tenant and recovering the rent

How to evict a tenant for non payment of rent Evicting a tenant can be very difficult. Discover how to do it, recovering the rent and which factors to take into consideration. If the tenant does not leave on or before the possession date, you can instruct a High Court Enforcement Officer to start the enforcement […]