A recent case in Merton, London, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular home inspections and detailed property inventory reports. Merton Council took unprecedented action by seizing control of 18 private properties after the landlord repeatedly ignored tenants’ complaints about poor living conditions. This move, facilitated by powers under the Housing Act 2004, is one of the first of its kind in the UK and underscores the critical need for landlords to maintain their properties and comply with legal standards.
What Happened in Merton?
The properties in question were located in the Graveney ward of Merton, an area under the council’s Selective Licensing Scheme. This scheme, introduced to tackle poor property conditions and antisocial behaviour, requires all privately rented homes in specific areas to be licensed. Despite multiple notices from the council, the landlord failed to address issues such as inadequate repair services, leading to tenants living in substandard conditions for over a year.
As a result, the council intervened by appointing agents to manage the properties and redirecting rental income to fund the necessary repairs. This action ensures the properties are brought up to a safe and decent standard, protecting the tenants’ well-being and enforcing the landlord’s responsibilities.
The Role of Home Inspections and Property Inventory Reports
This case highlights the importance of regular home inspections and maintaining accurate property inventory reports. These checks are not just about meeting legal obligations; they are essential for ensuring that properties remain in good condition and that tenants are living in safe environments.
Home Inspections: Regular home inspections allow landlords to identify and address maintenance issues before they escalate. These inspections are vital for ensuring that all aspects of the property, including structural integrity, safety features, and living conditions, meet the required standards. In the Merton case, a lack of regular inspections contributed to the prolonged neglect of the properties, ultimately leading to the council’s intervention.
Property Inventory Reports: A thorough property inventory report provides a detailed record of the property’s condition at the start and end of each tenancy. This documentation is crucial for resolving disputes over damages, ensuring transparency between landlords and tenants, and protecting the landlord’s investment. Without such records, landlords risk facing legal challenges and financial losses, as seen in the Merton case where the council took control of rental income to fund repairs.
Why Use a Property Inventory Specialist?
Managing these responsibilities can be daunting, particularly with the increasing complexity of property regulations. This is where property inventory specialists, like No Letting Go, can make a difference. By outsourcing home inspections and inventory reporting to experts, landlords can ensure that their properties are well-maintained and legally compliant. These services help address tenant complaints promptly, avoiding the kind of severe consequences seen in Merton.
By partnering with a professional property inventory management specialist, landlords gain peace of mind knowing their properties are protected from neglect and legal penalties. No Letting Go specialises in conducting thorough inspections and creating accurate reports that safeguard both the property and the landlord’s interests.
Conclusion
The Merton Council’s actions serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of regular home inspections and accurate property inventory reports. For landlords, these checks are not optional; they are essential for maintaining property standards, ensuring tenant safety, and avoiding legal repercussions. By working with a property inventory management specialist, landlords can protect their investments, comply with regulations, and provide safe, comfortable homes for their tenants.
The Decent Homes Standard is a benchmark for housing quality in the UK, ensuring that all homes meet specific criteria for safety, comfort, and livability. This standard is crucial for landlords and housing associations, who must ensure their properties provide tenants a safe and decent environment. No Letting Go is pivotal in helping property owners and managers meet and maintain these standards through comprehensive property reporting and inventory services.
Understanding the Decent Homes Standard
The government introduced the Decent Homes Standard to improve the conditions of homes, particularly those within the social sector. To meet the Decent Homes Standard, a property must:
Be free of serious health and safety hazards: Assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Be in a reasonable state of repair: Major components (such as kitchens and roofs) should not be old or in disrepair.
Have reasonably modern facilities and services: For example, kitchens no older than 20 years and bathrooms no older than 30 years.
Provide effective heating and insulation: Ensuring efficient heating systems and effective insulation keeps the home warm and energy-efficient.
The Challenges of Compliance
For landlords and property managers, consistently meeting these standards can be challenging without systematic inspections and detailed reporting. Regular property assessments are necessary to identify issues that might compromise the standard, from outdated facilities to potential hazards that could impact tenant health and safety.
How No Letting Go Supports Decent Homes Standards
Expert Assessments and Detailed Reporting
No Letting Go provides professional property inventory and inspection services, including detailed assessments of the property’s condition against the Decent Homes criteria. Our experts are trained to identify compliance issues, helping landlords prioritise repairs and updates that impact their property’s decency status.
Customised Inventory Management
With tailored solutions designed to address the specific needs of each property, No Letting Go ensures that all elements—from heating systems to structural integrity—are thoroughly inspected and documented. This level of detail supports ongoing maintenance and quick responses to any issues that could detract from the Decent Homes Standard.
Mitigating Risks with HHSRS
Our inventory reports include an evaluation based on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, identifying any risks that could pose serious hazards to tenants. This proactive approach helps maintain compliance and ensures that the property remains a safe environment for residents, thus aligning with the first and perhaps most critical criterion of the Decent Homes Standard.
Documentation and Evidence for Compliance
No Letting Go’s reports provide robust documentation that can be crucial during inspections by local authorities or in dealings with tenants. This documentation serves as evidence of compliance and can significantly streamline the resolution process in the event of disputes or claims.
Conclusion: Partnering with No Letting Go
Maintaining compliance with the Decent Homes Standard is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about providing quality living conditions that tenants can call home. No Letting Go’s services empower landlords and property managers to achieve and maintain these standards effortlessly, ensuring that properties are compliant, comfortable, safe, and appealing to tenants.
By partnering with No Letting Go, you gain access to a team of experts dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of property management while ensuring each property meets crucial housing standards. Whether you’re managing a single rental unit or an extensive portfolio, No Letting Go is your partner in maintaining excellence and compliance in housing.
Compliance in property management is a dynamic and ongoing process. With ever-changing legislation, landlords and property managers must stay vigilant to remain compliant, particularly regarding property inventory. This blog takes a deep dive into property inventory legislation, highlighting the pivotal role of No Letting Go in navigating the complex landscape of legal compliance.
Understanding Property Inventory Legislation
The Significance of Inventory Management
Property inventory management isn’t just a formality; it’s a legal and logistical necessity. It involves creating a detailed report that lists the contents and condition of the property at the start and end of a tenancy. The importance of property inventory stems from various laws and regulations that aim to protect the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants.
Key Legal Frameworks Affecting Inventory
• Housing Act 2004: This act introduced the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), which requires detailed inventory records to solve any disputes regarding deposit deductions.
• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985: This act mandates that properties must be fit for habitation, which implies a need for a thorough inventory to establish the initial condition of the property.
• Deregulation Act 2015: This legislation further emphasizes the need for proper inventory checks to provide evidence should a landlord need to serve a Section 21 eviction notice.
The Role of Property Inventories in Dispute Resolution
Disputes over property conditions are not uncommon at the end of tenancy agreements. A comprehensive inventory provides an unbiased baseline that helps resolve these disputes amicably. Without a proper inventory, landlords may find themselves unable to claim for damages or losses that occur during a tenancy.
Staying Ahead of Compliance
Regular Updates and Training
Legislation can evolve quickly, and staying compliant means staying informed. Regular training and updates are necessary to ensure property inventories meet the latest standards.
Incorporating Technological Advances
Utilising technology, like the services offered by No Letting Go, can simplify compliance. Digital inventory systems ensure accuracy, facilitate updates, and make it easier to store and retrieve information when needed.
No Letting Go’s Contribution to Compliance
Expert Inventory Services
No Letting Go specialises in providing inventory services that comply with current legislation. Our team of experts understands the intricacies of property law and can help landlords and property managers ensure their inventories are legally sound.
Technology-Driven Solutions
With No Letting Go’s inventory software, property managers can automate much of the inventory process, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring each inventory is thorough and up-to-date.
Support Through Legislative Changes
As legislation changes, No Letting Go’s services evolve to stay compliant, offering peace of mind to property managers and landlords. Our commitment to legislative compliance means that clients are always ahead of the curve.
Final Thoughts
Comprehensive property inventory management is an essential aspect of property rental compliance. It serves as a protective measure for landlords and a guarantee of fairness for tenants. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the services provided by No Letting Go become increasingly valuable, offering expert guidance and cutting-edge solutions to ensure that property inventories are not only compliant but also serve as a robust foundation for tenancy agreements.
In the journey of rental property compliance, consider No Letting Go not just as a service provider but as a partner, one that is fully equipped to navigate the complex waters of property inventory legislation with you.
The landscape of property management is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting tenant expectations. Staying abreast of the latest trends is essential for property managers aiming to maintain competitive advantage and offer superior service. Here’s a look at the most significant trends shaping the future of property management.
Embracing PropTech for Enhanced Efficiency
Property Technology (PropTech) continues to revolutionise the industry, offering solutions that streamline operations, enhance tenant experiences, and improve property oversight. From cloud-based management platforms enabling remote access to real-time data, to AI-driven analytics for predictive maintenance and smart home devices enhancing tenant comfort, technology is at the forefront of property management evolution.
Sustainability and Green Building Practices
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a tenant expectation and often a regulatory requirement. Property managers are increasingly adopting green practices, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable building materials. Initiatives such as green certifications (LEED, BREEAM, etc.) are becoming standard practices, not only to reduce environmental impact but also to decrease operational costs and attract eco-conscious tenants.
The Rise of Remote Management
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote management practices, a trend that continues to persist. Virtual tours, digital lease signings, and online tenant portals for requests and payments are becoming the norm. This shift not only meets the demand for social distancing but also caters to the convenience and efficiency desired by modern renters.
Focus on Tenant Experience and Engagement
The tenant experience is central to property management strategies. Engaging with tenants through regular communication, community events, and personalized services can significantly enhance tenant satisfaction and retention. Furthermore, leveraging data to understand tenant preferences allows property managers to tailor services and amenities, improving the overall living experience.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
With an ever-changing legal landscape, staying compliant with local laws and regulations is more challenging and crucial than ever. Whether it’s data protection laws like GDPR, safety standards, or eviction moratoriums, property managers must ensure compliance to avoid legal pitfalls. Additionally, a focus on risk management, particularly in health and safety, has become paramount.
The Demand for Flexible Living Spaces
The shift towards remote work and the increasing mobility of the workforce have spurred demand for flexible living solutions. Co-living spaces, short-term rentals, and furnished apartments with flexible lease terms are growing in popularity. Property managers are adapting by offering more versatile housing options to meet this demand.
Leveraging Big Data and Analytics
Data is a powerful tool in the property management arsenal. Big data and analytics can provide insights into market trends, tenant behaviour’s, and operational performance, enabling informed decision-making. Predictive analytics can also forecast maintenance needs, reducing downtime and repair costs.
The future of property management lies in embracing change — leveraging technology for efficiency, prioritizing sustainability, adapting to new tenant demands, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. By staying informed and agile, property managers can navigate these trends successfully, offering exceptional value to both property owners and tenants. As the industry continues to evolve, those who innovate and adapt will thrive in the dynamic world of property management.
Without a doubt, regular property inspections are one of the most important things you can do to protect your property investment. However, for many property owners, it’s still one of those admin chores that’s difficult to find time for. So why are property inspections such a vital element of property management?
The benefits of regular property inspections
Recent feedback from one of our customers Faye Walker, Property Manager at Fry & Kent in Hampshire, who regularly uses our property inspection service, is a reminder of why property inspections should be a regular, planned activity:
“Property inspections by No Letting Go give me real peace of mind. Their experience and use of inventory software designed specifically for the job means nothing gets past them. That way, I am reassured that my tenants are safe and happy and my property, which I’ve invested a lot of money into, is being kept in good order.”
Some landlords are worried about checking up on their tenants, but far from being intrusive, regular inspections show your tenant that you care about their welfare and can head off problems before they become expensive disputes.
This peace of mind comes from knowing that a comprehensive property inspection covers many aspects of being a landlord, including:
• Reviewing the condition of the property and its contents, to spot any repair and maintenance issues before they become costly problems
• Ensuring compliance with the tenancy agreement
• Making sure no illegal activities are taking place at the property
• Building a good relationship with tenants
• Demonstrating that as a landlord you are fulfilling your responsibilities
• Creating documentation that can provide evidence if a dispute arises
Making property inspections easy
Property inspections are time-consuming. Defining what needs to be checked, recording the findings of an inspection and organising inspection visits all take time. A great way to relieve the burden of regular property inspections is to use a property inspection service.
At No Letting Go, we utilise our bespoke inventory software to ensure all property inspections are thoroughly conducted logically, with written and photographic evidence included in the report. Together with an inspection at the end of a tenancy and the beginning of a new tenancy, regular property inspections provide a full audit trail of the properties condition.
The benefits of using a property inventory reporting system mean that inspections can be completed promptly and they also provide consistency over what is being monitored, so nothing is missed, either during the inspection or because of lost records. Online reports are easily recalled and compared when necessary to review changes.
Our thorough and rigorous inspection services are all about protecting the landlord’s investments and ensuring tenants have a good tenancy experience, working hard to ensure all our customers feel as reassured as Faye says:
“Having been in the Lettings Business for many years, No Letting Go is by far one of the best Inventory companies I have used. They are always professional, reliable and the quality of work is second to none with reports always received on time.”
No Letting Go
If you would like to find out more about how our local support or national network at No Letting Go could become your property management partner, streamline your cost, reduce workload and keep accurate property inventories, then contact us today.
The latest government rules combined with the Prime minister’s recent address to the nation is clear – tougher measures are required to control the spread of the virus.
Everyone has a slightly different attitude to risk, and with each new set of guidance comes a shift in public attitudes. The public wants protection from the government to reduce the risks of contracting an avoidable illness, but they also want protection against avoidable economic hardship (according to the Health Foundation and Ipsos recent public survey).
So, we all have a role to play – government, public and businesses large and small (and the press, but that’s a whole other topic!). Let’s hope that common sense prevails and the wearing of PPE, washing hands, sanitising and minimising contact with others will prevent us facing further draconian measures.
So how is this affecting the lettings industry? Well actually, very little has changed to the protocols already in place with agents and suppliers such as inventory providers, aimed at minimising the spread of the virus. A more significant change to letting agents is the requirement to wear masks while working in high street offices. Office workers are being told to work from home where possible, so effective systems and the ability to outsource tasks to reliable, responsible experts will be paramount in the weeks and months ahead.
In terms of how we continue to adapt as an industry, the focus has to be on creating as much confidence as possible for landlords and tenants, by ensuring safety measures are in place and being adhered to, and technology solutions are being utilised where possible, to minimise contact for staff and clients. Now is the time to remind, re-enforce and monitor those protocols with staff and clients to ensure safety is paramount and safeguard the continuity of our industry.
Minimising face to face contact is a priority and it is possible to conduct inventories, check-ins and check outs without the need for the tenant to be present. It is also vital that the tenant is reassured that in addition to his safety, this will not be detrimental to his tenancy and/or deposit – utilising an independent provider will offer additional comfort in this regard.
We achieve no contact reporting by using our DigiSign service. The system electronically delivers the inventory to the tenant enabling him to add comments back into the report if he wishes, with the facility to include photos and record an electronic signature – all within a specified time frame. Our inventory expert will then assess these comments before sending a final copy onto the agent and tenant. If the tenant forgets to sign, an automated message will be issued informing him the report has been deemed acceptable, removing the requirement for further chasing.
If you are conducting these in-house utilising software such as Kaptur, you can still achieve the same with emailing inventories, requesting tenant input and then using DocuSign software to capture the signature. Our system just removes the chasing element on behalf of the agent.
There are situations where the tenant and possibly another supplier is at the property whether planned or not, and this is where our COVID processes are utilised. Most agents are vigilant in asking health questions, to ensure tenants do not have symptoms, which is then reaffirmed by our inventory experts at the property. Keys and surfaces touched are sanitised, PPE is used and social distancing is requested by our expert. The same protocols are in place if we are collecting or returning keys to the agent office.
Whether you are outsourcing your inventories, check-ins and check-outs, or conducting them in house below is a quick checklist to remain COVID compliant to protect staff, tenants and our industry:-
- Minimise tenant contact where feasible with the use of technology
- Document your COVID procedures for visiting properties with and without tenants present and re-issue to all staff and suppliers and of course to landlords and tenants
- Check your risk assessment is up to date and re-issue to staff
- Do you have enough PPE and is everyone aware of when to use masks, sanitize keys, surfaces and hands and how to dispose safely
- Revisit processes regularly as the current situation is fluid and fines apply for breaking COVID rules
The other aspect to consider is assisting the Test and Trace service by keeping records of staff members for 21 days. Whilst this is not mandatory for our industry, more specifically relating to designated venues in certain sectors, its wise to consider this. If a member of your staff contracts the virus, most business owners will be eager to ensure anyone they have come into contact within the last 21 days are notified.
Inventory reporting keeps tenancies, the deposits and all parties safe from unfair claims and it keeps the housing market moving with check in’s and checkouts. Tenants and landlords may have differing attitudes towards risk, but the focus must remain on minimising interaction with others by communicating clear guidelines.
Perhaps one of the most sensitive and potentially litigious times for landlords and tenants comes at the end of a tenancy, when the state of a property or its fittings can put a deposit at risk, leading to disputes.
A checkout report completed by an impartial party can help avoid this potential issue by providing an objective view of the condition of the property and define who is responsible for any costs.
What exactly is a checkout report?
This report is done at the end of a tenancy and provides a thorough record about the state of the property on the departure of the outgoing tenants. Each room is inspected and graded with the assessment of specific items, clearly stating whether any action required. The resulting report provides clear evidence to justify a deduction from the tenant’s deposit. It also provides information to the landlord of what action needs to be taken before the next tenants arrive.
The checkout report, together with an inventory at the beginning of a tenancy, provides evidence of when any damage may have occurred and so who is liable. If there is a dispute, these documents can be used as part of any adjudication process.
What does a checkout report include?
A checkout report provides a detailed description of damage, maintenance and cleanliness. As the reports are written in detail and contain photographic evidence, they offer a definitive set of findings from the checkout inspection.
It can be difficult for a landlord to make an objective assessment of acceptable wear and tear, but an independent assessor completing a checkout report will use their experience to make a fair judgement. Tenants can also be assured that there is nothing for the assessor to gain from the decisions they make regarding responsibility.
What are the benefits of a checkout report?
The great thing about Checkout Reports is that there are benefits for both parties:
- Reports can be completed by independent specialists to reassure tenants of the fairness of the checkout process.
- Tenants are more likely to agree with the Checkout Report findings if they see a fair assessment has been completed.
- A good checkout report process helps maintain a positive relationship between tenant and landlord.
- They prevent unnecessary costs and saves time for the landlord.
- They make the transition between consecutive tenants smoother, with the reports identifying early on any action to be taken before the next tenants arrive.
At No Letting Go, our trained inventory specialists provide a comprehensive Checkout Report and a service that both tenants and landlords can have confidence in. Their accurate and timely information to landlords and tenants facilitate a smooth and amicable departure the rental property.
No Letting Go
If you would like to find out more about how No Letting Go could become your property management partner, with our local and national network of specialists streamlining your costs, reducing your workload and keeping accurate inventories for your properties, then contact us today.
Landlord Legal responsibilities for Legionella Risk assessments
One of the many legal responsibilities that landlords and letting agents have is ensuring that their properties are free of Legionella bacteria. Legionella can cause health problems to more vulnerable tenants or any member of the public that may visit the property.
Landlords who provide residential accommodation have a legal duty to ensure that the risk of exposure of tenants to Legionella is properly assessed and controlled.
Although the responsibilities around Legionella and preventing it from spreading from water systems to tenants’ lungs are some of the vaguest in the private rented sector, this is a quick guide to clarify the responsibilities of the duty holder around Legionella and how it affects landlords, agents and tenants alike. In it, we’ll cover:
What is Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s caused by a bacterium known as Legionella.
Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease.
The legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu. Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal.
What is Legionella?
The bacterium Legionella pneumonia (Legionella) is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Outdoors, legionella bacteria survive in soil and water but rarely causes infections. Legionella bacteria is more prevalent in artificial water systems, including domestic showers systems, garden water systems including hose pipes, internal water pipes, water tanks, air conditioning systems etc. Which means it could be present in any property.
Legionella’s ideal conditions for breeding and multiplying are as follows:
- Water Temperature, i.e. cold water above 20 degrees and hot water below 50 degrees
- Water droplets produced and dispersed, i.e. through showers, spray connections, hot tubs, hose sprinkler systems
- Water stored before recirculation is often referred to as stagnant water, i.e. in a system that isn’t used for a while, typically two or more weeks.
- A stagnant environment for the bacteria to feed on, i.e. slime, rust, sludge, etc.
Is a Legionella Risk Assessment a legal requirement?
Landlords are legally bound to keep their properties free from health hazards. The law forms part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and imposes a legal duty on all managing agents and landlords to ensure the health and safety of all tenants, staff and members of the public are protected.
According to the Health and Safety Executive:
“The practical and proportionate application of health and safety law to landlords of domestic rental properties is that whilst there is a duty to assess the risk from exposure to Legionella to ensure the safety of their tenants, this does not require an in-depth, detailed assessment.”
http:/www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/legionella-landlords-responsibilities.htm
The cost of a legionella risk assessment for a landlord who fails to assess their property is covered in Section 17 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states:
“If anyone is alleged to have breached any criminal offence under this Act or the regulations, and they failed to adhere to the approved code of practise, that criminal offence shall be deemed to be committed.”
ACOP provides guidelines on complying with the law, and it holds a special legal status in the UK as it is legally binding. ACoP 8 covers legionella risk assessment guidelines.
Do I legally need to Test a Residential Property?
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs) and ACOP L8 have been in place for many years. Law has not changed, but the regulations related to non-domestic premises restricted to water systems of over 300 litres in the past.
Residential properties were exempt, but research by HSE indicated Legionella was as high in residential as it is in commercial and as a result, a new ACoPL8 (HSG274 Part 2) was introduced in April 2014 to include all residential property.
The three main Legionella Risk Factors:
- Redundant Pipework
- Infected Water Storage Tanks
- Lukewarm water temperature
As a landlord or agent, what should I be doing?
Section 28, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:
“A risk assessment must be carried out to identify and assess the exposure to legionella bacteria from water systems on the premises and any precautionary measures needed. The duty holder is responsible for ensuring the risk assessment is carried out.”
ACOP L8 clarifies how the hazardous substance applies to Legionella in a domestic environment. The duty holder uses in the same way as the gas regulations. The landlord or managing agent is responsible for ensuring the risk assessment is carried out.
What do you need to do to comply?
Section 2.138 (HSG274 part 2) states:
Landlords who provide residential accommodation have a legal duty to ensure that the risk of exposure of tenants to Legionella is properly assessed and controlled.
The duty holder must:
- Assess – carry out a legionella risk assessment by a competent person who is trained under ACoP L8
- Remove or control identified risks
- Manage the risks on an ongoing basis
- Keep records
- Review the evaluations and controls regularly
The risk assessment process?
In most properties, avoiding the breeding of Legionella is easy enough as long the hot water is hot, the cold water is cold, and the water is used often. Realistically, there is most likely to be a problem if the property has been unoccupied for several months before a new tenancy starts. In these cases, you should be most cautious and ensure you carry out sufficient Legionella checks on the property. The frequency of a risk assessment should be no longer than every couple of years. You should check older water systems more often or if a property has been empty for an extended period, typically longer than two weeks.
What do tenants need to know about legionnaires?
Tenants need to be confident that the property they are moving into is legally compliant and safe. That you, as a duty holder, whether a landlord or property agent, have completed the relevant due diligence checks.
Who can carry out a risk assessment?
Risk assessments in between tenancies are a good idea. A competent person can complete these assessments (not necessarily somebody professionally accredited) if they are comfortable and understand the risks.
If you are unsure of the last time your property was checked, No Letting Go provide a guaranteed national service. If you would like one of our qualified inspectors to complete an inspection report for any of your properties, please contact us for availability.
A property inventory is a very important tool for anyone renting or managing a let property, and having this facility as a specifically designed system can greatly enhance its efficiency.
What challenges should a property inventory address?
When completing a property inventory, you need to have the confidence that it’s not only recording information accurately but that it’s also recording all the information necessary. If a dispute arises over the condition of a property, the information you’ve recorded could be integral to resolving the issue. A property inventory, therefore, needs to do the following:
- Ensure all key information is included in each report
- Provide proof of property issues
- Minimise financial risk by creating records that can be relied upon
- Reduce the risk of tenants, landlords, agents etc. not agreeing on the property’s condition
- Remove doubt by recording changes that have occurred over time
- Ensure the rented property is meeting legal requirements
How an inventory system addresses your challenges
Using the technology of an inventory system, such as No Letting Go’s Kaptur app, can provide a solution for many of the challenges of keeping good inventory management:
- Provides a web-based centralised booking system that’s easy to access and update, even remotely
- Allows current and historical inventories to be seen side by side to simplify viewing any changes
- Provides a fully documented audit trial
- Produces clear and precise records, agreed by both tenant and landlord, to reduce disputes when claims from deposits are required
- Identifies work to be done before the next tenant moves in
- Is mobile, allowing all administration to be completed on-site, capturing all information immediately
- Helps agents manage time efficiently by managing admin tasks such as orders, appointments, change notifications and alerts
- Provides documents in a format accepted by all Government deposit protection schemes
When an inventory system is made specifically for the task in hand, its real power is that it offers confidence for all parties and captures data very easily.
Who benefits from using this technology?
Whether tenant, landlord or agent, the success and benefit of Kaptur as an inventory management system is that it benefits all parties involved.
For agents, the efficiency of the app allows them to save time and provide uniformed reports. For landlords and tenants, the accuracy of the information and its real-time capture provides confidence in what’s been recorded. This reduces the risk of dispute over information and minimising the financial risk for both parties.
For those looking to increase efficiency in their lettings business and deliver professional reports to clients, an inventory management system provides a “one-stop-shop” solution.
No Letting Go
If you would like to discuss how our local support or national network at No Letting Go could help you as your property management partner, streamline your costs, reduce workload and keep accurate property inventories, then contact us today.
Owning a franchise is a very popular starting option for anyone with an urge to run their own business. At No Letting Go, our franchise business is thriving as entrepreneurial spirits join us and take advantage of the many opportunities an inventory management franchise offers.
Why is inventory management a good business opportunity?
The rental market is booming right now, and lockdown has done little to slow it down. Recent figures show a 22% increase in demand for lettings in comparison with the same period in 2019. In fact, it’s predicted that households within the private rented sector is set to rise by 5.79 million by 2021. This level of expansion offers exciting opportunities for anyone involved in the sector.
To manage the growth in the lettings market successfully, there will need to be a robust infrastructure of support services around it, and inventory management will play an essential role. Inventory management ensures the protection of both landlord and tenant and reduces the potential for disputes. Landlords value the ability to outsource inventory management as it saves them time, and our independence gives tenants greater confidence in the process.
Moving into a market with such growth opportunity is an exciting proposition for any new business owner, but when this can be done through a franchise, which offers the prospect of a readymade set-up and a recognised brand, it’s an opportunity to get your business career off to a flying start.
What’s special about a No Letting Go franchise?
In addition to an active market, business owners need to ensure that the franchise they’re considering can realise business opportunities and meet their aims.
Inventory management provides a clear advantage to those owning or managing a let property, but the advantage of owning a franchise comes when that franchise is established as a provider of a specialist service. A No Letting Go franchise offers just that:
- A recognised brand and the UK’s largest franchised provider of property reports to the UK residential rental market
- Provides a range of services in addition to the inventory management report, increasing income
- Has services established with a wide variety of letting businesses, including major chains of letting agents, independent local letting agencies, estate agencies, landlords, property management companies and local authorities
- Invests in extensive training in all aspects of delivering the services and running a business, from when you start up and continuing throughout your franchise ownership
- Based on a repeat business model, so once established you’ll see an ongoing flow of business
- Offers assurance that reports are comprehensive, compliant and simple to create, so you’ll always be in demand
Become a franchise owner
The desire to provide great customer service, deliver on promises and work hard are the main assets you need for starting out on your franchise ownership journey; no industry experience is required.
If you think you have what it takes, and running a franchise would suit your life and your business aims, please contact us to discuss joining the national network of inventory management specialists at No Letting Go.