Property Management
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A neighbour has complained about noise from my tenant what should I do?
Read more: A neighbour has complained about noise from my tenant what should I do?Complaints made by neighbours about tenants need to be treated with caution and the following points carefully considered: Further Reading Report a noise nuisance to your local council Noise nuisance: how councils deal with complaints Worthington & Parkin v Metroploitan Housing Trust Ltd Still not answered your question? We love questions so fire it at us using the contact details here Please rate this article so we know how well it answered your question…
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How can I prevent squirrels accessing my roof space?
Read more: How can I prevent squirrels accessing my roof space?If you have trapped or poisoned the grey squirrels and they are no longer living in your roof space what next? Block all access points into the roof space with wire mesh securely fixed to the building – squirrels are strong, determined pests and will easily dislodge poorly installed proofing systems. Use welded, galvanised steel wire mesh (weldmesh or horizontal mesh) of 16 gauge and no more than 25mm size mesh. Remove any tree branches that overhang the building to eliminate potential access routes. Avoid providing artificial food sources that will attract squirrels such as bird feeders, litter or uncovered…
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What should I do with mail I receive for the previous tenant?
Read more: What should I do with mail I receive for the previous tenant?Unless you have made special arrangements with the previous tenant for the collection or delivery of their mail, mail addressed to previous tenants received at the property after the start of your tenancy should be returned to sender – simply mark the mail ‘Return to sender – gone away’ and place it in a post box. Under no circumstances should you open mail addressed to previous occupiers – under the Postal Services Act 2000, a person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he intentionally delays or opens a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post, or…
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Can a landlord charge a tenant for the cost of redecorating the entire room?
Read more: Can a landlord charge a tenant for the cost of redecorating the entire room?No A tenant is entitled to fair wear and tear which would typically include minor marks and scratches A tenant is liable only for damage beyond fair wear and tear A landlord is not entitled to betterment I.e. To be in a better position at the end of the tenancy than at the start In extreme cases a landlord may have a legitimate claim for compensation for redecorating the room. Consider this scenario: Room completely redecorated immediately prior to the start of a tenancy Single occupier with no pets occupies property for a very short period of time Significant damage…
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Can a landlord charge a tenant for the cost of replacing all flooring in a room?
Read more: Can a landlord charge a tenant for the cost of replacing all flooring in a room?No A tenant is entitled to fair wear and tear which would typically include minor marks and scratches A tenant is liable only for damage beyond fair wear and tear A landlord is not entitled to betterment I.e. To be in a better position at the end of the tenancy than at the start In extreme cases a landlord may have a legitimate claim for compensation for replacing the flooring in a room. Consider this scenario: Brand new flooring fitted immediately prior to the start of a tenancy Single occupier with no pets occupies property for a very short period…
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Do landlords really need to carry out a Legionella risk assessment?
Read more: Do landlords really need to carry out a Legionella risk assessment?Yes – the landlord’s responsibility for Legionella risk management is summarised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as follows: The legal duty for landlords who provide residential accommodation to consider, assess and control the risks of exposure to Legionella to their tenants is not new. This requirement stems from the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1989; Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 makes provision for the legislation to apply to landlords of both business and domestic premises. Further Reading Legionella and landlords’ responsibilities – Health and Safety Executive Legionella Risk Management –…
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Can a tenant arrange repairs direct with a contractor?
Read more: Can a tenant arrange repairs direct with a contractor?No 1. Contractors are employed by the landlord, or his agent, and instructed to carry out specified jobs only. Contractors are not employed by and should not take instructions from tenants. The exception being if the tenant is employing and paying the contractor for some private work. 2. The landlord may not have a statutory or contractual obligation to undertake the work requested and may be unwilling to undertake this work. 3. The work may involve preparatory work e.g. Risk assessment 4. The contractor may not be the preferred contractor for this particular work. 5. The work requested may be…
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Can a tenant block landlord access to the property?
Read more: Can a tenant block landlord access to the property?Yes – the landlord is entitled to access the property to view the state of repair or condition or to execute repairs. Such access is subject to giving 24 hours’ notice in writing. However it is an established rule that all tenants enjoy what is called the covenant of ‘quiet enjoyment’ which means they are entitled to live in the property without interference from the landlord or anyone acting on his behalf (such as his letting agent). So, the having given the tenant the required notice as above, the tenant could deny the landlord access. If the tenant repeatedly denied…
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How are repair quotes handled?
Read more: How are repair quotes handled?We will provide quotations for any repairs or maintenance required over an estimated cost of £150. We will exercise discretion on a case by case basis and decide whether obtaining one or more quotations is necessary or practical unless we have received express instructions in writing from The Landlord to obtain a specified number of quotations. Further Reading Jungle Property Knowledgebase article Do you always obtain 3 quotations for repairs? Jungle Property blog article How much time does a landlord have to carry out a repair? Still not answered your question? We love questions so fire it at us using the contact details…
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We have a problem with squirrels in our loft what should we do?
Read more: We have a problem with squirrels in our loft what should we do?Responsibility for pests is covered in the Tenant Information Pack issued at the start of the tenancy and in this article Landlord and tenant responsibility for pests – what guidance does the law provide? If having read the above reference you believe this is a landlord responsibility please raise a repair request here British Pest Control Association (BPCA) advice for controlling squirrels here Find a BPCA pest controller here Still not answered your question? We love questions so fire it at us using the contact details here Please rate this article so we know how well it answered your question…