It may not have escaped your attention that landlords have been a political target over the past two years and that looks to continue to an even greater extent in 2019.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to be a landlord and with growing talk of licencing and redress schemes for individuals we are advising that landlords seriously consider property management and its many benefits.

 

Property Condition

 

We produce a detailed and photographic inventory at the start of each new tenancy.  Regular inspections allow us to monitor the condition of the property and identify any concerns at an early stage.  A checkout at the end of the tenancy completes the process and puts us in a good position to successfully manage deposit disputes in relation to cleaning and damages.

 

Repairs and Maintenance

 

Depending on the type of maintenance request a member of staff may visit the property to assess a repair before it is sent to a contractor which can often save the landlord an unnecessary callout fee.  Where jobs do need to be passed on we have a good range of reliable contractors ready to respond quickly and at fair prices.  Tenants are given a number for emergencies which is monitored on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

 

Rent Collection

 

Rent collection can be for the most part quite straightforward but when problems do occur it can become a nightmare, especially without the right expertise.  For those making persistently late payments we have a ladder of penalties with incremental increases.  For those with more serious problems and where further action is required it is absolutely crucial to serve the right notice and to do so correctly.  There have been recent changes to both Section 8 and Section 21 Notices and it is very easy to make a mistake which might invalidate the whole process.  We also work in partnership with The Sheriffs Office for debt recovery.

 

Safety and Compliance

 

Gas safety certificates have long been established as a legal requirement in lettings but there has been a flurry of new rules more recently in relation to legionella risk assessments, smoke alarms and in some cases carbon monoxide alarms.  This year it is probable that electrical testing will become mandatory.  With our managed service we remove this burden of responsibility and ensure that your property is always compliant.

 

There are a number of other compliance issues that may or may not be relevant depending on your property and your tenant.  For example, in some cases Right to Rent immigration checks carried out on all applicants may need to be monitored during the tenancy where tenants are on limited time visas.  Another example is the minimum standards for energy efficiency that have come into force as of April 2018.  The rental sector is constantly evolving but we will always be at the forefront of any changes, ready to keep you on the right side of the law.