Landlords: Don’t pay for maintenance that you shouldn’t be!
As a landlord you don’t want to be paying for repairs that are not your responsibility!
Here are a few common ‘faults’ that tenants report that landlords should NOT be paying for.
What the tenant says;
1 – ‘I’ve got no hot water or heating’
The first question to ask is ‘what is the boiler pressure?’ or ‘What error message is on the boiler’.
A boiler will not work if its pressure is too low. ‘Topping up’ a boiler is a tenant responsibility. If you know the make and model of the boiler (which will be shown on the gas safety certificate) then a quick search on U-Tube should supply a simple video of what to do.
2 – ‘My lights aren’t working’
It’s about asking the right questions. A tenant may report that their lights aren’t working … before sending a contractor always get them to change the bulb! Its sounds crazy that someone would report this without doing that first – believe me they do, so ask the questions. Problem fixed!
3 – ‘There’s mould on the wall’
Mould is often caused by damp as a result of condensation. Whilst each case is different, usually damp caused by condensation would be a tenant issue as it is likely caused by poor ventilation, lack of heat in the property and letting steam drift from room to room (kitchens and bathrooms), all of which over a period of time can result in mould issues. Read our blog for more information.
4 – ‘My ovens not working’
We often get calls after a power cut that a tenants oven is not working. If the clock on an oven is not set then it will not turn on. Always ask the question … ‘has there been a power cut?’, ‘is the clock set?’.
5 – ‘My sink is blocked’
The only thing that should go down a plug hole is water. Before sending out a drainage specialist make sure the tenant has used a thick bleach AND a plunger. If the blockage does not clear make sure you confirm in writing that if anything is found to have blocked the drains – i.e. rubbish or food, the cost of the call out will lie with them.
If you’ve paid unnecessarily for maintenance works or your tired of dealing with your tenancy, please give us a call. We are here and ready to help!