Property Management Hammersmith Archives | Page 2 of 10

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.

Who is a good property manager

People can be busy with their lives, work and family commitments so that they simply do not have time to look after a property. Property managers take over landlords responsibilities so that they can get on with their lives and focus more important matters in their lives. What should you look for in a property manager; Experience: It is important to find out how many properties are in their portfolio? How long have they been working for the same company? You want a property manager who has a long term history with the company, who is knowledgeable and consistent and above all responsible.

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

What is landlord liability insurance

Every landlord has a legal responsibility to supply a safe home and many accidents can be prevented by carrying out regular maintenance and repairs. Though despite taking all the precautions, accidents can still happen. This is where liability insurance comes into force. What is landlord liability insurance Liability insurance is an insurance cover that protects you from potential compensation claims related with your rental property; i.e if someone injures themselves or other property is damaged as a result of your property. It is a type of public liability insurance that is there to pay the compensation and any resulting legal fees to a third party such as a tenant, visitor or a tradesperson. If your tenant hurt themselves tripping on a damaged floorboard or a loose tile were to fall off the roof and hit a passing pedestrian, you may be liable to pay compensation if a claim was made against you. Under the circumstances; your landlord liability insurance would step in to pay any related compensation, expenses and legal fees, up to the limit of your policy. Insurers and their solicitors will also defend policyholders against claims where a third party has alleged that they are at fault, though they actually were not negligent. In this scenario they will defend you and, if you found not negligent for injuries caused, insurers will provide cover for the defense costs required to defend the claim on behalf of the landlords.

Why do you need a residential tenancy agreement

Without a tenancy agreement in place, landlords and tenants have no written record of their contract, which leaves both parties with reduced legal options if a dispute occurs. Rental agreements protect the legal rights of both parties. A tenancy agreement is a binding contract between you and your tenant(s). It sets out, clearly and without room for misinterpretation, what is expected of the landlord and the tenant, and the length of the agreement between both parties. It also explains what either sides legal obligations if the other party do not keep to their side of the agreement. Although it is not a legal requirement to have a written tenancy agreement. It is beneficial to have a written tenancy agreement. It will make it much easier for all involved.

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 are right to rent checks

Right to rent checks were first introduced in 2014. Agents are landlords are required to carry out checks to ensure that their prospecive tenants are in England lawfully and have a Right to Rent. This legislation is intended to cover all of the UK though it is currently only running in England. Following the Brexit transition changes were implemented as of 1st July 2021, which now imposes further checks on these nationals who now need to provide evidence of their Right to Rent by producing confirmation of their EU settled status or eVISA.

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 […]

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 manage your rental property effectively

What is involved in ongoing management and maintenance of a rental property? Not all property investors are interested in being a landlord. The thought of actually dealing with all that property maintenance and tricky tenants can be very tricky The fact is, not everyone is suited to being a landlord. This can require immense amount of patience and perseverence. As a landlord, you are constantly on call, you may find yourself dealing with a blocked sink on a Sunday morning. It is not for everyone. There are ongoing tasks to take care of on a day to day basis. Once a tenant has moved into a property and all regulations are met; You need to collect the monthly rental payments. Manage repayments should your tenant fall into arrears. Handle and respond to all maintenance enquires quickly and in a professinal manner. Update all safety certificates as and when necessary. Carry out regular property inspections.