The most important thing of all to remember when it comes to deposits is that it is your money – every last penny of it. Which is why it is of such importance to ensure that your deposit is protected, which means making sure your landlord places it in an appropriate scheme. This must happen within 30 days of the deposit being given to the landlord, otherwise they may be liable for compensation payments to you worth one to three times the deposit’s total value.
Three Deposit Schemes
There are currently three qualifying deposit protection schemes in the UK, which are as follows:
- Deposit Protection Service (Custodial and Insured)
- MyDeposits – including deposits that were held by Capita
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme
At the beginning of your tenancy, it is of the utmost importance to carry out a full UK flat inventory, as a means by which to establish the basis for the deposit you’ll be handing over. While it’s perfectly possible to pay a deposit by way of other items – jewellery, a car, personal belongings etc. – these cannot be protected by any of these schemes. It is therefore recommended that only cash be used when paying deposits.
When Your Tenancy Ends
At the end of your tenancy, you landlord has 10 days within which to return your deposit, after you have come to an agreement on how much will be returned. If you do not agree to any deductions the landlord proposes, you can dispute the arrangement and your deposit will remain protected by the chosen scheme until you come to an agreement.
If Your Landlord Doesn’t Protect Your Deposit
It is a requirement for landlords to appropriately protect deposits, though research suggests this often isn’t the case. Chances are you won’t know for sure unless you carry out the required checks yourself, so it’s always worth doing exactly that. This can be done by contacting a tenancy deposit scheme directly and asking.
Deposit Protection Service (Custodial and Insured)
Telephone: 0330 303 0030
MyDeposits
Telephone: 0333 321 9401
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
[email protected]
Telephone: 0333 321 9401
If it turns out that your deposit is not being protected, your landlord is in violation of their obligations and may be liable for compensation claims. Landlords who do not protect deposits also have restricted rights when it comes to tenant eviction. If your deposit is not protected, you are not provided with the information about the scheme being used or the deposit isn’t placed in an appropriate scheme within 30 days, you may be able to file a claim against you landlord. If your claim is upheld, you may receive a compensation payment of up to three times the full deposit amount.
When it has been established that your landlord is in any way breaching their obligations, you can either write to them directly to demand the situation be rectified, or take them to court. In most instances, court proceedings involving deposits are relatively straightforward and the claimant may not be required to make an appearance in court at all.
If you’re a landlord or agent looking to remove the hassle from the inventory process, find out how No Letting Go can help you here.
The buy-to-let market continues to be one of the hottest investment markets in the UK. People are purchasing properties and building portfolios in anticipation of providing the kind of retirement they would never get from a pension. But as with any other investment, becoming a landlord also means added responsibility. There are mortgages to pay, tenants to deal with, and a myriad of maintenance and upkeep issues. If you don’t know what you’re doing, being a landlord could become a nightmare.
Here are five common mistakes landlords make along with ways to avoid them:
1. Failing to Properly Screen Potential Tenants
Tenants are the lifeblood of any property portfolio. The last thing a landlord needs are tenants who do not pay their rent or who abuse property with very little discretion. A good way to end up with these kinds of tenants is to fail to screen potential candidates correctly. Screening is an absolute must.
One of the best ways to do this is to use a letting agent. Letting agents are experts at tenant screening, and they have access to certain tools that make it easier to discover questionable rental histories and other potential problems. Using a letting agent is well worth the money spent.
2. Failing to Have a Property Inventory in Place
There are companies that provide national property inventory checks for landlords at very reasonable prices. Yet some landlords fail to take advantage of this. By failing to have a property inventory in place, those landlords are taking a big risk in assuming that tenants will take good care of the property throughout their tenancy.
The solution to this mistake is very simple: work with a local or national inventory company to do a complete inventory of your property. Furthermore, utilise a check-in and check-out at both ends of the lease. There are plenty of companies offering landlord’s inventory UK-wide at excellent prices; utilise them.
3. Failing to Keep Tenants Happy
The successful landlord is a landlord able to secure and maintain long-term leases. The longer tenants can be kept in the property, the more financially secure the property becomes. On the other hand, constantly turning over unhappy tenants increases the landlord’s risk of void periods in which the mortgage still has to be paid despite no rental payments coming in. Not keeping tenants happy is a big mistake.
Landlords can avoid this mistake by doing whatever they can to make the tenant experience unforgettably pleasant. For example, you do not have to charge market value rents just because you can. If you can offer a lower rent and still cover your expenses and make a profit, you will have a happy tenant who is less likely to look around for something cheaper near the end of the tenancy.
4. Choosing Properties in the Wrong Location
Residential property is a lot like commercial property in the sense that location is crucial. The most desirable renters tend to want homes in neighbourhoods that are safe and have access to common amenities like public transportation, entertainment options, good schools, and additional opportunities for the family. Choosing properties in bad locations can turn what a landlord hoped to be a great investment into a financial disaster.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to do plenty of research before you purchase. Landlords can work with a specialist property company who deals only in buy-to-let investments; such companies are usually very good at determining which neighbourhoods are desirable and which are not.
5. Failing to Save Money
Owning rental property is essentially a business. And as with any business, there are certain capital expenses that are unavoidable. Landlords who fail to save money for such capital expenses can easily find themselves in financial trouble when things go wrong. If things get too bad, they could jeopardise the business.
Landlords should establish a savings account into which they routinely deposit a portion of every rental payment they receive. The money should not be touched for anything other than making capital improvements or emergency expenses. When money is taken out of the account, it needs to be replaced as quickly as possible.
Being a landlord is a very good way to establish a stable and comfortable income. But it is not without responsibilities. The most successful landlords know what it takes to run a property business and make every effort to avoid the most common mistakes.
The property market has become an obsessive past time in Britain. Speculative musings can be found on nearly every news source asking the question, ‘What will happen next?’Here are the 6 things every landlord should check before buying an investment home:
1. Research the local area
From local amenities to nearby parks and playgrounds, the area the property is located in can prove to be a real asset to the home, or can be a deterrent. Look into things like the ratings and ability to get into the local schools, the amount of the council tax, the ability to get a take away, and even the flight paths. If you aren’t familiar with the area it makes it hard to know if there are planes which fly overhead or if your tenant would be able to enrol their children in the local school.
2. Research the commute
A stressful commute has been known to cause all sorts of frustrations including higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol and increased anxiety. Investing in a property near public transport or a reliable trainline can increase the appeal of the home, because of the location. Having knowledge of the ease of transport from the property can be a big USP when attracting tenants or future buyers.
3. Don’t forget to think about what a tenant wants
It is imperative that you look at investing in a property which will be for the type of tenant you’d like to have. If you are interested in students consider a property near a university. If you are interested in attracting a young professional in London consider a property near a central line.
4. Mind your budget
Purchasing the property is only one financial aspect of this investment. It’s important to consider not just the price of the mortgage, but also what you plan on charging for your rents and what the annual costs of maintaining the property would cost as well.
5. Mind your time
It’s unavoidable that your tenants will need help from time to time. At the beginning there will be a large demand on your time if you plan on managing the property yourself. From marketing to potential tenants to overseeing the viewings, it can feel like a full time job. Even after the property has been rented the best appliances need repairing and tenants can lock themselves out of their home from time to time. So it’s important to consider how you value your time and if having a professional property management team take care of your investment is the best choice for you.
6. Don’t forget the little things
From flooding risks to sinkholes, not all properties are on solid ground. It’s imperative to get the necessary searches and perform your own research in order to know how at risk your investment might be. Although flood zones or sinkholes might be anomalies, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Property Detective helps people make more informed, smarter decisions about where they want to live or invest, by giving them the complete picture about their local areas. Visit PropertyDetective.com for more info.
With house prices rising at their fastest rates since the recession, and the gap between those who can afford to buy and those who cannot widening with each passing month, now is as good a time as ever to enter the buy-to-let market and become a landlord.
The buy-to-let market is an incredibly lucrative one at the moment and, for first time landlords, a venture that can prove very financially successful. However, it is important that you approach it in the right way. Buying-to-let is very different from purchasing your own home and any mortgage taken out with the intention to let must be what is right from a business standpoint. Even if you do not intend on purchasing a property but instead wish to capitalise on demand by renting out a room in your own home, a business mentality is essential.
Legal Requirements
Whether you are renting a room in your main home or purchasing a buy-to-let property, there are certain legal responsibilities that you must adhere to in relation to tax, health and safety, and tenants. Before venturing in to the market, it is important that you are well aware of your responsibilities. Gov.uk offers this guide on being a landlord and renting out a room, which covers deposit protection schemes, tenancy agreements, possession claims, evictions, and more. Take the time to read each of the sections in the guide and familiarise yourself with what being a landlord requires.
Mortgage Advice
If you are purchasing a buy-to-let property, it is essential that you think from a business standpoint. A good rental property is not necessarily somewhere that you would like to live yourself, but somewhere that is appealing to a tenant, with good transport links and within close proximity to local amenities. When funding your buy-to-let investment, it is crucial that you seek advice from an independent mortgage advisor. While most banks and building societies offer buy-to-let mortgages, some of the best deals do not exist on the high street and can only be found through a whole-market broker. Unbiased.co.uk is a great place to find an independent financial adviser in your area.
Letting Agents
Buy-to-let can be a minefield of red tape and it is important that you do your homework before entering in to the market. From tenant deposit schemes to ensuring items of furniture comply with fire regulations, there is a lot to take in as a first time landlord, so the help of a letting agent could be vital. As well as the finer details of being a landlord, a letting agent will also be able to provide you with advice on potentially lucrative areas to rent. Find a good letting agent through the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
Insurance
As a landlord you will need adequate insurance to cover the building and contents (if the home is furnished), and your rental income – especially in the early days. Insurance deals differ greatly depending on your preferences and your circumstances. LandlordExpert.co.uk offers a good directory of insurance brokers across all areas of the UK.
Inventory
While it is not a legal requirement, an inventory is something you should definitely not overlook as a landlord. An inventory is a listing of all the contents of a property and the condition of the property, designed to help monitor the condition of the contents/property before a tenant moves in and just before they leave. The inventory is signed by both landlord and tenant and works as an agreement between both parties, making clear what damages need to be paid out of a deposit and eliminating possible disputes. It is in the best interests of you as the landlord and your tenants that the inventory is carried out by a professional third-party inventory clerk; this ensures thorough documents, as well as photographic and video evidence.
Photo source flickr: Simon Cunningham.
There is a lot said about so-called ‘landlords from hell’; newspapers publish features of bullying landlords and television stations run shows all about the plight of tenants.
However, what about the other side of the rental agreement?
Tenants can be troublesome too; in fact, there are more disruptive tenants out there than there are bad landlords. There are dozens of articles online advising tenants of their rights and how to protect themselves from landlords, yet there is virtually nothing on how landlords can protect themselves from tenants – how a landlord inventory and insurance can be used to give a property owner protection.
In this post, we are siding with the landlord and looking at how you can protect yourself from troubling tenants.
Landlord insurance
As a landlord renting out a property to tenants is largely based upon trust. While references can be sought and background checks can be done to try to determine the history and character of a tenant, ultimately you put your trust in them to respect the property and look after it during their stay.
One of the rights that a landlord must provide a tenant is to allow them to live undisturbed in a property. Unfortunately, the tenant can often abuse this right and your property could be being dismantled without your knowledge. A tenant could be knocking down walls, selling appliances or renting out a spare room without your knowledge. To protect yourself from any such instances, it is advisable to have landlord insurance in place.
Given that you must keep a property in a good state of repair at all times, landlord insurance is pretty useful to have anyway – covering you for damages and any rent that is lost due to repairs being carried out.
In the event of a dispute with a tenant, landlord insurance will also cover legal expenses – both in the event of a tenant taking action against you and you attempting to evict a tenant.
Landlord insurance is based upon the cost of a home being rebuilt in the event that it is completely destroyed, therefore you should consider the building sum insured (BSI) factor and include the actual cost of the build, clearance costs, and surveyor fees when calculating how much insurance you need. Complete landlord insurance should include:
- building and contents insurance
- liability insurance
- alternative accommodation cover
- loss of rent cover
- emergency assistance cover
- rent guarantee cover
- legal cover.
Landlord inventory
Since the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) scheme was launched back in 2007, landlords are required to protect the deposit of a tenant through a government-backed scheme. This has meant landlords and no longer able to control a deposit and tenants have more power to challenge the withholding of their money. Backed by this scheme, more and more tenants are taking on landlords even when they know they are in the wrong – the only way to protect yourself from this is with a landlord inventory.
An inventory is a detailed report of the contents and condition of a property. This document contains written and visual evidence of everything related to a property and must be signed by both landlord and tenant, forming part of the legally binding tenancy agreement contract.
A landlord inventory should be carried out just before a tenancy starts and just before a tenancy ends and offers a hassle free way to assess any damages and decide what, if anything, should be paid for out of a deposit. If you are worried about how tenants may be treating a property, it is advisable to also carry out a landlord inventory during the tenancy.
Remember, when it comes to a tenancy, it is your property and your investment and you should do everything you can to protect it. A landlord inventory and landlord insurance are both recommended but it also helps finding the right tenants in the first place with online services such as Rentonomy and Upad helping landlords do just that.
Photo source – flickr: Chris Potter
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, letting inventory services in the UK are an essential part of property rental. The idea of an inventory is to catalogue the contents and condition of a property recording details of the home and any items that are included in the tenancy. The compiled report is then used as part of the legally binding contract between landlord and tenant preventing disputes over possible damages between both parties and aiding in a smooth transition from one tenant to the next.
Over the years, inventory reports have traditionally been compiled in writing, text still rules the roost; however, as technology advances and many people now have access to cameras in smartphones and tablets, there are an increasing number of landlords incorporating photos into inventories. There is an old saying that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and it’s hard to argue with this; but, can this saying really be applied to property inventory in the UK?
Finding the right balance
A picture can add a lot to an inventory, and photographs of large areas of damage such as holes in doors, carpet burns, and damage to worktops will go a long way in building a solid case against a tenant. However, when it comes to providing the perfect inventory report, a photo is only worth a thousand words if the right balance is found.
According to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), an overseer of excellence in rental inventory services in the UK, photographs are being used more regularly in inventories. However, they are at the expense of written descriptions and this is leaving landlords exposed to costly disputes with tenants over damage.
In many reports, the AIIC has found that photos no bigger than thumbnails are being used as evidence. Naturally, with a picture being so small, detail is hard to see. Photographs of a decent size and quality though, can be very useful and many of today’s modern smartphones have the capability to produce detailed images.
Only quality photos will do
The comprehensive nature of inventories means that it photos must only be provided if they are backed up by a written presentation. The most common disputes between landlords and tenants are over small damages, such as chips in cupboard doors, scratches in sinks and baths, and knife marks on worktops. Such damages, while minor, can result in financial losses for landlords and tenants if negligence cannot be proved and a photo alone is often not sufficient evidence as details are so fine.
In order for property inventory services in the UK to help landlords win disputes for either side in a rental agreement, it is essential that photos are of a high quality and printed in A4 or even A3. In addition to this, the photo should be dated on camera and only be used to make up part of a written report.
The written inventory may still rule the roost, but the use of photos is definitely here to stay.
Photo source: Paul Reynolds
By now everyone has heard of the landmark decision of Lord Justice Lloyd on 14 June in a case that has sent shockwaves through the lettings industry. Put simply, the Court of Appeal decision in Superstrike v Rodrigues states that where an AST started before the advent of the deposit registration regulations but rolled over into a statutory periodic tenancy after 6 April 2007, any deposit should have been registered and prescribed information served. The implications of that decision are significant for the thousands of landlords and their agents who still have statutory periodic tenancies that arose in the months after April 2007. The decision is also a worry for all of those tenants who may have been evicted since then on the basis of an “unlawful” section 21 notice. After all, if the deposit was not registered and prescribed information not served, their landlord was not able to serve a valid section 21 notice to bring the AST to an end.
Since April of 2007 official sources suggest that over 1 million individuals have been forced to relocate in circumstances where, thanks to the Superstrike decision, a possession order was made on an invalid section 21 notice. The implication for landlords, managing agents and the judicial system is troubling. It is doubtless causing sleepless nights for those in the Department for Communities and Local Government charged with bringing some order out of the chaos.
Accordingly, it will come as no surprise for readers to learn that over the last few weeks there have been a number of meetings at a fairly senior level between representatives of the lettings industry, including ARLA, the principal deposit registration organisations and government officials to map out a way forward. Whether Mark Prisk, the current housing minister, will table new legislation to effectively overturn the Superstrike decision remains to be seen. However, with Parliament about to recess as I type this blog, it looks highly unlikely that there will be any significant change in the current position until October 2013 at the very earliest.
In the circumstances what should agents and landlords do if they have a pre-April 2007 AST which is still running on as a periodic tenancy?
The short answer is to refund the deposit as soon as possible to the tenant. Sadly, with the implementation of the Localism Act 2011 last year, it is no longer an option simply to register a deposit late if one wants to serve a section 21 notice. The deposit must be refunded in full.
To make matters worse, even if a deposit was registered on time – and remember time limits changed with effect from 6 April 2012 – if the prescribed information was served late, that now triggers a penalty of between 1 and 3 times the deposit plus the return of the deposit itself.
One intriguing aspect of the Superstrike decision concerns comments by Lord Justice Lloyd which suggest that when an existing AST lapses from a fixed term into a statutory periodic tenancy, it may be necessary to re-register the deposit, or at least re-serve the prescribed information. Logically this must be correct as the effect of the Housing Act 1988 is to create a “different” type of tenancy when an initial fixed term comes to an end. As a purely precautionary measure, therefore, we are now suggesting to all our clients that at the end of a fixed term, prescribed information is indeed re-served. Individual landlords and managing agents should also check with their deposit registration provider as to what else might need to be done to avoid their tenancy becoming a future test case!
One area which is being actively explored by some of the larger national chains is whether the entire problem of re-registration/re-service might be avoided by changing the definition of the fixed term. To avoid a statutory periodic tenancy arising at the end of, say, a twelve month AST, consider adding a rider to the definition of the term. This might provide that the tenancy continues “thereafter on a month by month basis until terminated by two months notice on either side”. Arguably this could prevent the tenancy changing from a contractual to statutory tenancy in the way that Lord Justice Lloyd mentioned in his judgment.
Clearly this has implications for renewal fees and flexibility. Accordingly, landlords and agents should seek professional advice both on the efficacy of adding such a clause and its exact wording.
As always, subscribers to our telephone helpline can receive “free” advice by calling the dedicated line provided. If you are not already a member of the Dutton Gregory telephone helpline service, please telephone one of our team on 01962 844333 for further details.
ROBERT J BOLWELL
Head of Landlord and Tenant Department
e-mail: [email protected]
Mention the word ‘landlord’ to some people and it will yield a reaction of dread or intense anger. Stories of landlords from hell are all too common, and while most are genuine and responsible, a small number of landlords ignoring their legal duties have allowed the few to tarnish the name of the many. If you find yourself in a situation whereby a landlord is refusing to carry out repairs that you feel are his or her responsibility, there are steps you can take.
Build a case
If a landlord is flat out refusing to do repairs or is ignoring your repeated requests, it may be that you have to take legal action; but before doing this you will need to build a strong case, which requires the help of a home or flat inventory company.
An inventory report is generally carried out before a tenant moves into a property and after they move out. However, it is possible to have in-depth reports quarterly, yearly, or at the mid-point in a tenancy agreement. By compiling a report, home or flat inventories can show clear evidence of damage and how a property has deteriorated since a previous report.
In addition to this, you should compile your own portfolio of evidence, by taking photographs of required repairs, copies of medical notes showing proof of your health being affected by the problem, receipts for any money spent on trying to fix the problem, and copies of letters sent to a landlord in relation to repairs.
While building a case, you should continually write to your landlord about the issue.
Contact Housing Standards Team
The next step is to contact your local council housing standards team. Housing standards are committed to ensuring all properties within their borough meet acceptable living conditions. Housing standards will ask for details and evidence of disrepair as well as name and contact details of the landlord. They will then arrange to visit the property and inspect the damage. At this time, the landlord will be contacted and given the opportunity to undertake all repairs. If he or she fails to do so, the council may serve statuary notices, followed by court action.
Taking legal action
It may be possible to take your landlord to court where an order can be given for necessary repair works to be carried out and possible compensation paid to you for inconvenience, damage to personal property and health caused by repairs not being done. Before taking this step though, you should be aware that court action can be a long and expensive process and should always be a last resort.
It is essential that you speak to your solicitor or to Citizen’s Advice before making a decision on legal action, and find out if you are eligible for legal aid. The evidence compiled by a home and flat inventory company and yourself will ensure you stand a good chance of winning in court; however, only ever proceed after having received comprehensive legal advice.
Photo sources: roaringapps.com – everythingsimple.com
There’s no doubt that the process of finding tenants for your property has been made far easier thanks to the web, but are landlords using online resources effectively to maximise revenue off the back of increased demand?
When it comes to property, location is everything, but often that maxim is never fruitfully applied to the rental market where competition for properties in certain parts of UK ensures that even the most run-down rooms in less-than-desirable neighbourhoods command a battle for occupancy.
If you’re a landlord, why not try following these 3 simple steps to ensure that increased demand results in increased rent as a result?
Step 1: Understand the value that the local area brings to your property
No man is an island, wrote the poet John Donne, but equally, no property is either. Understanding how local amenities create demand is key to pricing your rent effectively.
Recent research from LSE suggests that a property in the close vicinity of a school rated Outstanding can be worth up to 8% more than those near to merely satisfactory schools. Schools, parks, leisure facilities, open spaces, great pubs and restaurants all act to push up the desirability of an area, and it’s only right that properties ticking all the boxes should command a premium. In fact, anecdotal evidence from Savills indicates that even the smallest things can have an impact: homes that have Waitrose as their local supermarket are typically worth 10% more than those with access to other brands.
ACTION: Identify all the potential selling points for the local area and try to assess the uplift in value that each one brings
Step 2: Prepare an information pack outlining the neighbourhood benefits
There’s no doubting that property particulars are important, but have you considered providing prospective tenants with an information pack about the local area? As well as being an excellent way to demostrate your utility and support as a potential landlord, it’s another great tool for helping tenants understand the triggers that are creating local demand for housing.
Don’t stop there though; use the information pack to highlight why there’s such interest in your property and why it might be worth paying more for ready access to a neighbourhood containing everything a tenant might need.
ACTION: Create or download information packs for your property to sell the benefits of the local area
Step 3: Understand the demographic demand of the area
Demographically, property values and household income used to be closely intertwined, but over time the link is becoming looser and looser, particularly in densely-populated urban areas. If you want to maximise rental income, it’s important to understand the demographics of those creating demand in the area – and to respond to that need with an appropriate rental price. High-income city workers might consider living in less affluent areas for reasons of convenience and accessibility, and in some instances that demand can allow landlords to increase rents above the local market average.
ACTION: Research the demographics of those moving into the area and pitch your pricing at the trend, not those already living there
Author: Barry Bridges is the Co-Founder of Property Detective; a powerful tool that helps landlords, buyers and tenants research more intelligently the local issues affecting a property. He writes about property research, data and due diligence on their blog: www.propertydetective.com/blog
Summer is here which means its holiday time and a chance to escape the daily stresses and struggles that come with being a landlord. While they may be stereotyped as being a serious bunch, landlords like to have fun just like everybody else, and a summer holiday is one of the few times a year that they get to swap that stern expression for a smiley one. However, being a landlord means that it’s not possible to just pack a suitcase of leave; you have a duty of care to tenants and thorough preparation is needed before embarking on a well-earned break away from the UK. Property inventories need to be taken care of, tenants need to be informed of your plans, and contacts need to be arranged before you even think about which swim trunks to pack.
If you are a landlord planning a holiday, here are a few steps you need to take to ensure everything runs smoothly in your absence.
Notify your tenants
The first thing you will need to do is notify your tenants that you will be away. You never know what is going to happen to a property in your absence and there is a chance that your tenants may need to contact you. It is best to give tenants as much notice as possible that you are going to be away and provide them with dates, contact details, and emergency contact details in writing. Send all letters to tenants by recorded delivery so that you can be sure they have received the information.
Arrange an emergency contact
You owe it to yourself to distance yourself from work as much as possible and, while you should always remain contactable, it is best to hand over responsibilities to someone that you trust. Whether that happens to be a family member or a friend, ensure that they have everything needed to deal with every eventuality.
When your emergency contact is running things in the UK, property inventories, rental agreements with new tenants and pre-existing repairs should all have been taken care of before you leave. Provide your contact with the following list of items:
- all keys to all properties, garages, units and lock-ups
- contact details for all tenants including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
- money to pay for any unexpected bills (i.e. any emergency repairs that need to be carried out)
- a list of contractors that you regularly use in case of emergency repairs
- details on how you can be contacted (i.e. phone number, email address, hotel details).
You should also personally take your contact to each rental property and show them how to access and turn off water, gas, and electricity in the event of an emergency.
There is a lot of work that goes in to having a relaxing holiday as a landlord, but if you want to forget about rental inventory services, UK tenancy deposit schemes and rental agreements for just two weeks of the year, you have to prepare. Remember, failing to prepare is preparing to fail – do not give your tenants reason to disturb your holiday!