According to a survey, 83% of UK landlords have dealt with tenants who have breached their tenancy agreements.

Direct Line conducted the research and is now advising landlords to conduct more regular property inspections to prevent future problems.

As per the survey, the most common violations concern the upkeep and sanitation of the property, as reported by 36% of landlords.

An additional 29% reported that their tenants neglected to notify them of items in need of repair.

“Tenants shouldn’t feel invasively disturbed by property inspections.”

“Property inspections shouldn’t feel intrusive for tenants and are all about building good relationships and keeping an eye out for any emerging issues,” stated Sarah Casey, the landlord product manager at Direct Line. Often early intervention can prevent these from growing into more serious issues that call for additional action from landlords.

“Landlords should also ensure that tenancy deposits are maintained in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme to help cover expenses if, for instance, the tenant vacates and leaves the property in a filthy state, has broken furniture or removed property supplied by the landlord.”

Landlords reveal tenancy violations.

Other frequent tenancy violations that landlords disclosed included pets, smoking and vaping, damaging or altering the property, redecorating without permission, and upsetting the neighbours.

Over 25% of the surveyed landlords reported any of these breaches.

Only 55% of landlords conduct property inspections every six months, and 21% only do so once a year, according to the survey.

10% reported that they only make property visits at the start and end of tenancies, and 14% indicated that they visit less frequently or only if they suspect a problem.

The significance of routine inspections for landlords.

Direct Line emphasises the value of having a thorough and unambiguous tenancy agreement that spells out each party’s rights and obligations as well as the necessity of regular inspections for landlords.

According to the survey, tenants who violate their tenancy agreement are most frequently penalised with deductions from their deposit (38%), verbal or written warnings (32%), and payment for any repairs or damages (28%).

Other measures include requiring them to fix the problem (23%) and evicting the tenant (23%) in addition to not returning the deposit (26%).

The importance of having a management agent.

Here are my top 5 reasons to use a managing agent for your property:

Being a private landlord has its challenges. You must stay on top of what seems like a never-ending stream of new regulations regarding everything from tax to Legionella, in addition to the day-to-day concerns of managing repairs and maintenance obligations and keeping tenants satisfied.

Theoretically, self-management allows landlords to keep a larger portion of the rent for themselves by eliminating the need to pay a monthly management fee, which is why many choose to do so. However, there are a lot of advantages in instructing a managing agent to handle the management of your rental property. To start, these are my top 5 picks!

1. Quicker and easier maintenance.

Many managing agentsprovide tenants with a link on their website for maintenance reporting, enabling tenants to contact the agent at a time that works for them. Additionally, over the years, many agents have accumulated a sizable network of reliable contractors that will handle maintenance and repairs in a timely and effective manner. Timely repair completion contributes to a positive tenant relationship, which is always ideal for a trouble-free tenancy.

2. Securing better tenants.

Every landlord’s worst nightmare is a problematic tenant. A plethora of “tenants from hell” horror stories involving unpaid rent, antisocial behaviour, and property damage can be recalled by anyone in the industry. Though these initial impressions can be highly misleading, some prospective tenants frequently give off the impression that they are very trustworthy and honest.

For each prospective tenant, a property management company will be able to verify their address, check references, and provide a complete credit report. This can assist in locating any prior problems that might not have surfaced otherwise, such as unpaid rent or bad credit. Sometimes, just knowing that these checks are going to be carried out is enough to dissuade a tenant from applying for a tenancy via an agent, particularly if they know they have some undesirable history.

3. Looking after your legal obligations.

Legal issues about your property can lead to a variety of challenges. If you make a mistake, you could have trouble regaining possession of your property or face hefty fines. For instance, new regulations require landlords to guarantee that their tenants are legally permitted to reside in the United Kingdom. You risk paying a hefty fine if you neglect to carry out these checks. A property management company can make sure you are meeting all your landlord’s requirements and that you are informed of any impending legal changes that may have an impact on your property.

4. Maximising your return.

You can maximise the return on your rented property by working with a reputable property management company. Agents can accomplish this in several ways, one of which is by making sure your property is always marketed at the best rent possible by utilising their wealth of knowledge,experience and understanding of the market. When necessary, agents can manage rent reviews and have procedures in place to deal quickly with tenants who make slow or late payments. Using an agent is also advantageous if you ever need to relet your property. When a tenant gives notice, agents can commence marketing your property right away, which typically results in shorter void periods. Agents can carry out viewings during the day when it may be difficult for private landlords to be available.

5. Peace of mind.

Whether you’re worried about finding a tenant, collecting outstanding rent, or staying on top of your legal responsibilities, being a landlord can be a difficult business. You can rest easy knowing that your interests are being looked after, your property is being well-maintained, and your tenants are content when you entrust a managing agent with the management of your rental portfolio. Some agents are also available to assist you if you have any questions about the current value of your investment.

Author : Jag Chaggar