Residential Letting & Property Management
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Should I be concerned about my tenant falling from the loft?
Read more: Should I be concerned about my tenant falling from the loft?A landlord is right to consider the risk to the tenant of falls in any part of the property. If the roof space is being legitimately (by design) used for secondary purposes (other than just being a void space) such as… Housing the boiler and associated controls Converted to a living space Boarded to provide storage …then careful consideration needs to be given to safe access to/from the roof space. If the roof space is nothing more than a void between the ceiling of the room below and the roof with insulation then the roof space does not warrant any…
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I am concerned the tenant may not look after the garden, what should I do?
Read more: I am concerned the tenant may not look after the garden, what should I do?There is a condition in our agreements about maintaining the gardens but if you are concerned the tenant may not maintain the gardens as they agreed, there are a few things you can do: If the tenant is to be held responsible for maintaining the garden, it may help to make available the appropriate gardening tools and equipment. Any tools or equipment you do provide must be safe and in full working order and must be supplied with manufacturer’s instructions. Few tenants are experienced gardeners so if the garden is particularly large, of an elaborate design, contains plants of high…
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Should I provide appliances in the property?
Read more: Should I provide appliances in the property?No – unless you… …already have the appliances or have agreed with the (prospective) tenant to provide the appliances …are willing to comply with The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 which includes checking the appliances, providing the tenant with the ‘required documents’ and arranging any periodic inspection and testing {electrical appliances} …are willing to comply with General Product Safety Regulations 2005 {all appliances} …are willing to comply with The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 {gas appliances} …willing to repair or replace the appliances when they become defective or beyond…
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Why have you not highlighted some of the damage and cleaning issues in the check-out report?
Read more: Why have you not highlighted some of the damage and cleaning issues in the check-out report?We only highlight those items we believe the tenant is reasonably liable for. We do not highlight anything described as ‘light’, ‘small’ or ‘minor’ or ‘slight’ or ‘FWT’ as it is likely to be considered fair wear and tear by an adjudicator or judge in the event of a dispute. Further Reading What is fair wear and tear and what is damage? {Jungle Property Blog article} The Importance of considering Fair Wear and Tear {Painsmith Solicitors Blog article} Still not answered your question? We love questions so fire it at us using the contact details here Please rate this article…
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Can I see the contract (tenancy agreement) before it is signed?
Read more: Can I see the contract (tenancy agreement) before it is signed?Yes – all parties to the tenancy agreement receive a copy of the agreement before it is distributed for signing. Landlords are given 72 hours to review the agreement though where the time between approval of the tenancy application and the Check-In is less than 72 hours, this time would be reduced. 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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Does a landlord need to maintain appliances?
Read more: Does a landlord need to maintain appliances?Unless the landlord has expressly undertaken an obligation to maintain appliances, he is not obliged to do so. However anything a landlord supplies to a tenant (included in the inventory) must be safe throughout the tenancy. There is a common ‘expectancy’ (but not necessarily law or agreed) amongst tenants that anything the landlord supplies must be maintained by the landlord but this may not be true. Further Reading Who is responsible for repairing electrical appliances – landlord or tenant? {Jungle Property Blog article} What the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 mean for landlords {Jungle Property Blog article} Still not answered…
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What are realistic reasons to withhold deposit on their departure?
Read more: What are realistic reasons to withhold deposit on their departure?Any claim for compensation against the Tenancy Deposit must be based on: The obligations of the tenant defined in the tenancy agreement The performance by the tenant of the obligations in the tenancy agreement 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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Can an electrician self-certify their work?
Read more: Can an electrician self-certify their work?Yes – Electrical contractors, who register with a competent person self-certification scheme, will be able to self-certify compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations whenever they carry out ‘notifiable’ work. Persons who are not registered with a self-certification scheme – including DIYers – will need to notify or submit plans to a Building Control Body (BCB), unless the work is non-notifiable. What types of electrical work are notifiable? The introduction of the latest version of Part P was introduced on 6 April 2013, the range of works requiring notification has been reduced. Notifiable works The installation of a new…
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If there is dispute about what is being claimed with work that needs doing then we have the right to argue that?
Read more: If there is dispute about what is being claimed with work that needs doing then we have the right to argue that?Yes – If the landlord wants to claim compensation for anything, it must be reasonable and it would first be discussed with the tenant to try to reach an amicable agreement on whether compensation is due and if so what level of compensation. If the landlord and tenant cannot reach an agreement, the landlord can if they choose seek compensation through the (FREE) Deposit Protection Service (DPS) dispute resolution service (Alternative Dispute Resolution) or alternatively through the court system. Still not answered your question? We love questions so fire it at us using the contact details here Please rate this…
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Do I need a new EICR for each new tenancy?
Read more: Do I need a new EICR for each new tenancy?No – The inspection and testing must be carried out at intervals of no more than 5 years or where the most recent report requires such inspection and testing to be at intervals of less than 5 years, at the intervals specified in that report. [Note: the legislation refers to ‘intervals’ e.g. every 2 years – the legislation does not refer to future uncertain events that may or may not happen within 5 years e.g. when the next tenancy ends] Electrical Safety First recommend that when a change of tenancy occurs, the landlord or their representative should always carry out…