If you're a self-managed landlord, you need these tenancy inspection tips.
Are you a landlord? Do you manage your tenancies yourself without a letting agent to help you? When was the last time you visited your property?
Most landlords that choose to go it alone without a professional letting agent to manage their tenancies have not inspected their property for months, sometimes years.
You might be thinking, "Why does that matter?" Your tenants always pay their rent, so why would you need to go and bother them?
Or perhaps you want to go and see if they are looking after the property but feel uncomfortable or awkward and are unsure what you need to be doing?
Of course, if you have a letting agent on your side, there will be no issue, they will likely include regular visits in their management fees, and you will have confidence and peace of mind that the property is well-maintained and the tenants are happy. But if you don't have a letting agent, then inspections really are a vital element of property rental management because:
- It shows your tenant that you're available and open to communication about the property and any potential issues that they may have.
- It ensures that if there are any issues with the property that you, as the landlord, need to deal with, they can be caught and nipped in the bud quickly so they don't cause further damage.
- If there is an issue with how the tenants look after the property, it can be dealt with early and rectified with minimal fuss. If you're unaware of issues at the property, they can get out of hand and leave you with a hefty repair bill when the tenants move out.
So, how do you inspect a property properly? What are you looking for? These are the top tips for carrying out a great tenancy inspection so that you and your tenants can continue your arrangement for as long as possible.
- Remember, it is a visit to check on the property and the tenants, not an inspection to judge how they live. Make it clear to the tenants that it is a quick visit to check that they are happy, your property is in good order and that no major repairs are coming up in the near future.
- Ask the tenant to show you around and allow them to point out any issues they are aware of. They live in the property full time, so they will know every nook and cranny, where the condensation is gathering or where the damp patch appears when it rains. Those seemingly minor points might not warrant a full report to you but could prevent large repair bills in the future.
- Confirm your appointment in writing, then confirm your findings after the meeting. If you find a problem at the property, for example, maybe the tenants have never cut the grass and the garden now resembles a meadow, you need to confirm this in writing to them, along with an action plan for getting things under control.
- If all is well, tell the tenants that you are delighted with how the property is being looked after. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tactic; if the tenants are being awesome, it's nice to let them know. It may also alleviate concerns about your plans and their security in their tenancy, as this can often weigh heavy on a tenant's mind.
- It demonstrates that you care about the property and the tenancy overall, which can be an often overlooked positive when handling tenants and properties.
An inspection may feel unnecessary because, for the most part, you will probably find that the property is fine and the tenants are happy. It may even seem invasive to check up on your tenants, and you might think it is a waste of time, but what if you get there and there is a huge issue? You may not have learned of this issue until it was too late, which could result in major repairs, costs, upheaval and stress for you and your tenant. What if the tenant has a condensation problem you don't know about until they leave? What if there is an issue that is actually unsafe? As the landlord, you would be responsible - ignorance of the issue will likely not be a suitable defence if things were to go very wrong.
If you are self-managing a tenancy and would like advice or guidance on what you should be doing, contact our team of experts; they will be happy to point you in the right direction.