Why are rental inspections important?
It is vital that inspections are undertaken regularly throughout a tenancy and photographic evidence and written reports are produced, but why is this so important?
Repair and maintenance issues
- The primary objective of a periodic inspection is to spot any obvious maintenance issues. However, it is also the perfect opportunity for you to uncover and repair any minor problems before they spiral and become major issues. It’s always easier and cheaper to repair problems at the early stages.
Tenants’ living conditions
- As a landlord, you can't tell your tenant how to live if they are untidy, however if you find that they are unclean or the property is too cluttered, you can advise them that this may result in damage to the property. For instance, if they do not clean the bathroom, this could result in staining of the fixtures and fittings, or if the property is not ventilated, this could cause condensation issues resulting in treatment and repainting because of mould.
It is very helpful at this point to put any observations in writing making the tenant aware that they are putting their deposit at risk if any maintenance issues aren't dealt with.
Legislation
- The Deregulation Act made retaliatory evictions illegal. Therefore, if you wish to gain possession of your property and serve your tenant a Section 21 notice, if they have made a formal complaint about the condition of the property and necessary repairs were not undertaken, the notice may become unenforceable. It's therefore important that you respond quickly to a tenant's reported maintenance issues. Keep the property well maintained and make sure you keep a complete written record of all communication.
Protecting the deposit
Photographic evidence and written reports accompanied by written requests to the tenant or them to carry out work as required, should ensure that when your tenant vacates if there is a dispute over the deposit you will be more likely to win your claim.
We carry out inspections in the first 3 months of any new tenancy and then 6 monthly after that. A written report with photographs would be sent to our landlords along with subsequent inspections should any works have been requested.
We can carry out inspections for any Landlord – contact us to book yours