Five reasons for regular property maintenance
Unlock the key to preserving your property's value and tenant satisfaction with these five essential reasons for regular maintenance
As a landlord, your main legal responsibility is to keep your rental property safe and free from health hazards.
This involves making sure that the property is in a safe and liveable condition and that it complies with the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
You must carry out repairs promptly and make sure that any gas or electrical systems meet specified safety standards.
You can read more about how to rent a safe home in our article and our ultimate guide to preparing your property let contains lots more useful information to help you get things right.
The old English saying, “a stich in time saves nine” is a truism that all landlords should take to heart.
Identifying any problems early can stop minor issues from escalating into major, costly repairs and avoid some problems from developing in the first place.
For example, the wet and windy winter months can play havoc with roof tiles and ridges.
Inspecting the roof with a good pair of binoculars for any signs of damage after winter can help detect defects that will soon result in leaks.
Much better to do this before they cause extensive water damage internally and start disrupting the lives of your tenants.
By prioritising regular maintenance, you are also clearly demonstrating to your tenants that you look after your property and care about their welfare and their safety.
Addressing maintenance concerns proactively is a great way to foster a positive landlord-tenant relationship, as well as setting an example that you care about the property, encouraging them to follow suit.
By making sure your property looks its best and is in good order, not only will you attract the right tenants, but you will inspire them to take better care of where they live.
This will save you time and effort when it comes to re-letting, reducing unproductive void periods.
Being proactive about maintenance will help both preserve and enhance the value of your investment.
One day you will probably want to sell it and a neglected property will suffer a loss in value.
And if you plan to continue renting it out, potential renters will be deterred by visible signs of disrepair or neglect.
Kerb appeal is key when it comes to attracting new tenants.
And spring is the perfect time to make improvements to any outdoor space attached to the property.
Not only will this boost kerb appeal from the street, but it will also prevent the garden from descending into an overgrown, tangled mess, or patios from becoming broken and covered in dangerous slippery moss, which could potentially result in a liability claim.
Less than 5%
5% to 10%
10% to 15%
15% to 20%
More than 20%
It’s important that landlords pick up any safety issues in their property by doing mid-term inspections, encouraging tenants to report repairs and attending to them promptly. Many landlords overlook the outdoor areas of a property so spring is a good time to check for any hazards that could cause an accident. If you have done everything right, but a third party is still intent on trying to sue you, then liability insurance is an essential feature of landlord insurance which offers protection if a tenant or visitor is injured on your property. If an accident does happen, liability cover provides the peace of mind that your insurance company will do all they can to defend you.
