There are a lot of considerations for the prospective, and existing, landlord before they embark on renting a property out. The first thing to consider is whether or not they want to use the services of a lettings agent. A Letting Agency Gloucester way will deal with any issue that the tenant has and will manage the tenancy for it’s duration.
Part of this role includes taking an inventory of the property before any tenancy starts and after one ends.
A thorough inspection of the property that is going to be rented is undertaken and they will document all of the property’s white goods, if included, soft furnishings, if included and the general decor of the place before the tenants move in. This report is also presented to the prospective tenant. In this way both the tenant and the landlord understand what the situation is at the start and what the property should look like at the end. This is subject to wear and tear plus if the landlord has agreed to any decor changes. These checks can help to further protect the tenants deposit and can mean that any disputes are quickly and easily dealt with.
Inventories and periodic property inspections
Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords must keep a property safe and fit to live in throughout a tenancy. Inspections are a key part of meeting that duty. It starts with a pre-tenancy inventory, done with everyone present, which gives written and photographic evidence that makes disputes far easier to resolve.
Regular inspections then benefit both sides. The landlord can check that the tenancy agreement is being followed, for example no subletting, smoking indoors or unauthorised pets, and tenants can raise repairs. Quarterly or six-monthly visits are considered reasonable, and they should be set out in the tenancy agreement from the start. Check items against the inventory, test smoke alarms, the heating and major appliances, and look for damp, mould, leaking taps, stains or burns. Photographs provide useful evidence.
Landlords can also add a Form LL restriction to the title register, which requires extra identity checks before any sale and makes property fraud far harder.