If you own properties that you let out to others, the chances are that one of your job titles is landlord and, with that, comes great responsibility. On top of ensuring your tenants’ health and safety by having regular tests and checks carried out, such as gas and fire safety, you are also liable for ensuring that the accommodation remains habitable. Continue reading for our advice on how to improve your skills as a landlord by sorting the following things without delay.
- Electricity
When a tenant is having trouble with their electricity, this could be indicative of something severe. It is vital to attempt to solve it immediately. This does not mean you should go and tinker with things. Hire a fully qualified and experienced electrician to check everything out. Yes, this might be costly. However, not solving an electrical fault could lead to devastating consequences for the property and even the tenants. No one wants blood on their hands.
- Infestation
An insect or vermin infestation can be troubling. It is not something that will improve over time. In fact, it is likely to get worse. Tackling the problem straight away is imperative. While you may think that sprinkling some powder or setting a couple of traps will solve the problem, seeking expert help is advisable. They will be able to determine the size of the issue much more easily, predicting how many creatures have invaded your property. Furthermore, their solutions are likely to be much more effective than your own. Of course, it will set you back a little extra financially. This will, however, put your minds and those of your tenants at ease.
- Plumbing
Problems with a property’s plumbing are not things that can wait to be checked out. Leaving a potential leak until it becomes more serious increases the risk of extra money needing to be spent to rectify the situation. Furthermore, water damage can be costly, and if it has been known about for a significant period of time before being fixed, the insurance company may not be willing to cover all or some of the associated issues. As with the previous two points, employing the services of a professional is worth paying extra for.
- Weather damage
Weather, storms in particular, can cause major problems with properties. It is always the landlord’s responsibility to fix these and, in fact, do whatever possible in advance to prevent them. Roof storm damage can lead to serious problems within the house. Leaks can ruin everything you keep stored within the loft space. For those houses with bedrooms in the attic, it is not uncommon for the occupant to return home one day to find many belongings ruined because of a large amount of water falling through. Damage to plastic oil tanks through daily exposure to the sun can be catastrophic with an oil leak resulting in an expensive loss of fuel as well as harming the environment. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this except investing in a metal tank instead when the plastic one is nearing the end of its life. Regular checks can help to reduce the risk of a major incident related to this too.
- Heating
Do you remember lying in bed, wrapping the covers around you, shivering but trying to fall asleep? There had no doubt been a power cut. As a one-off, it was not too bad, but can you imagine having to put up with that for a prolonged period? As a tenant, you are entitled to a property which can meet your basic needs. Heating is an essential criterion. Whenever a problem arises, the landlord should contact a heating engineer without haste. It is essential that you attempt to rectify the situation straight away despite how costly it could be. If the issue cannot be fixed there and then, be sure to lend your tenants another form of heating such as portable radiators. Do make sure that they are fit for purpose and have been tested beforehand.
Being a good landlord will help to form a positive relationship with your tenants. Checking in with them on a regular basis, but not being viewed as interfering. While it is normal to expect your tenants to report any problems promptly, this is not always the case. It could be because they have not yet identified any faults. Therefore, regular inspections are recommended. Be sure to give them sufficient warning. Showing up unannounced is not acceptable.
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