At the end of the tenancy, the question arises of how much of the deposit the landlord should return to the tenant. The best result is one where the tenant leaves the property in a good and clean condition, and the landlord returns the full deposit, without any deductions. This is good for the tenant,
What can landlords deduct from a tenant’s deposit? View Post »
It’s very important to carry out regular inspections on rental properties during a tenancy, whether the landlord does it themselves or via their property manager. I personally refer to inspections during the tenancy as “maintenance visits”, as it’s more collaborative and shows the focus is on ensuring the property remains in good condition. After all,
Mid-tenancy property inspections: how often and what to check View Post »
Subletting is a very complex area for tenants and landlords to navigate. Whilst it can help a tenant who needs to move out for legitimate reasons, it also exposes landlords to a lot of risk. This risk has increased since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, as it gives the First-tier Tribunal the power
Choosing good tenants is probably the most important thing for a buy to let or HMO landlord to do. Whether landlords outsource the tenant-find to letting agents, or find tenants themselves using online agents, the principles remain the same. It’s not always easy finding good tenants. Many applicants appear charming and convincing when they view
It is vital for landlords (or letting agents) to carry out regular thorough property inspections to see whether any repairs are required. It’s also important to check whether the tenants are also holding up their end of the bargain by looking after the property and not breaking the terms of the tenancy agreement. However, it’s
Free landlord mid-tenancy property inspection checklist View Post »
Checking in tenants is a key milestone in the relationship between landlords and the people who will be living in the homes they provide. After all, we landlords want happy tenants. Happy tenants stay longer, are more likely to look after the property, and are more likely to be cooperative about giving access for maintenance
Checklist for new tenants: getting ready for check in View Post »
What happens when a relationship between tenants breaks down and the couple splits up, sharers fall out, or one of the joint tenants simply wants to move out. Relationship breakdown is very common, with around one third of marriages in England and Wales ending in divorce. This amounts to over 100,000 divorces each year. On
What happens when one person leaves a joint tenancy? View Post »
Mice and rats can be hugely destructive, gnawing through wires, leaving a mess and making a lot of noise at night. I speak from experience, as I’ve lived in many houses over the years where mice have been a problem. I also moved into a rented bedsit in London in the 1990s where the bed
Who is responsible for pest control in a rental property? View Post »
Are you a landlord who’s looking to take over the management of your rental property from a letting agent with tenants in place? Are you wondering what the practicalities involve so that the transition is smooth? This is a practical guide that takes you through the 10 steps to follow for a smooth transfer of
Practical tips to take over management from letting agents View Post »
A landlord’s liability for council tax is quite tricky to figure out and navigate. This is a practical guide that explains who is responsible for paying council tax when a landlord lets a property to tenants, including students, HMOs and single lets, and what happens when the tenants leave before the end of their notice
