Category: Rental

Alarming figures from the Gas Safe Register say that one in six homes in Britain have dangerous gas appliances. Not only could this have deadly consequences for the people living in them, it could also (quite rightly) severely damage the reputations of landlords.

All landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their tenants safe, and recent tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire have highlighted the importance of the matter even more.

• By law, all landlords are required to ensure the following:
• All pipes, boilers and flues must be regularly maintained and certificated
• Annual gas safety checks are undertaken
• Any work undertaken is only done by a registered gas safety professional
• All visits from gas safety professionals are recorded, and the tenant is provided with copies

Simply organising an annual gas safety check is not enough. It’s essential that every gas appliance in the property is regularly maintained and that any gas technician checks the entire system, including the pipes. Tenants must be given adequate notice of any checks and services and always be provided with a paper copy of any reports, which must be kept by the landlord for at least two years.

Recent changes to the law have put a greater emphasis on the protection of tenants, so it’s imperative that all landlords comply. Reputable landlords understand the importance of proper checks and maintenance, and not adhering to the rules will not only damage your reputation but potentially cost you a lot of money.

There’s a well-documented housing crisis in the UK right now, with demand far outweighing supply. While this offers substantial opportunities for buy-to-let landlords to make a lot of money, it’s important to consider the human factor too. Property isn’t just about houses and cash, it’s about people. Keeping tenants safe should be a major priority and it’s important that all landlords understand what will be expected of them before they start letting any homes” continues. Putting people at risk is unacceptable, and a lot of people are unaware of the legal obligations when they first start out in the property market.

The vast majority of landlords are not qualified gas specialists and many struggle to know where to find one. Word of mouth and recommendations are often more reliable than website reviews, but if in doubt contact your local Trading Standards office or council. A full list of qualified, certified professionals can also be found on the gas safety register.

Unless you’ve entered into the property market for purely substantial reasons, you’ll want to see the value of your homes increase with time. And for most of us, that means the fastest timeframe possible. While uncertainty about the impact of Brexit is causing lots of buy to let landlords to wait until the market is back on the up, there are lots of ways you can optimise the value of your property now.

The important thing to remember is that you must achieve a balance between putting enough money in to increase the value and spending too much on things that won’t yield decent returns. It’s a bit of a balancing act, and it can be tempting to go for things that look great but don’t pay out. Here are our top seven tips you can do to boost the value of your rental property and get on the right side of potential tenants.

1) Upgrade the bathroom
Dingy bathrooms, leaky taps and limescale riddled shower heads are a real no-no to tenants, but they’re still found in countless rental properties up and down the country. Any fixtures that are more than ten years old should be replaced, and when it comes to bathroom suites the cleaner and more sparkly looking the better.

2) Makeover the worktops
Cheap countertops look awful, are prone to discolouration and are actually a false economy because you’ll end up having to replace them more often. Invest in the highest quality worktops you can manage on your budget because they will instantly improve the look of any kitchen. Granite, slate and quartz are expensive options, but they’ll last longer, and tenants will love them.

3) Invest in good flooring
Cheap floors put people off and give the impression that you don’t care about your tenants. Replacing tired carpets and lino with high end materials like wood and tile might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will help you find the right people for your property, be far easier to maintain and add significant value in the long run.

4) Give them storage
We’ve got a well-documented housing crisis in the UK, so there’s less space to go around. Especially when you’re converting commercial properties into homes it’s all about using space wisely, so clever storage is essential. Consider built in wardrobes, modular shelving and space for shoes by the door- it makes things look a lot less cluttered and will help you raise your price tag too.

5) Upgrade the windows
Tenants expect good windows that offer soundproofing, light and the ability to keep cold out. This isn’t always the case with older properties, so if yours is more than 20 years old it’s worth seriously considering some new windows. Sure, you’ll have to shell out a few thousand, but investing in quality double glazing will pay dividends in the future.

6) Make sure the roof is up to scratch
Everyone needs a safe roof over their heads, but if yours is over fifteen years old you can’t guarantee it. Not only is a leaky roof terrible for insulation, costing you a fortune in energy, it’s a danger to everyone in the property. Investing in a quality roof doesn’t just look good, it will save you a lot of money and reputational damage.

7) Don’t skimp on maintenance
Creating a rental property that people want to live in isn’t just about spending money on the big things. It’s about looking after the little things like grouting, garden areas, garage doors and even garden hoses. Build regular maintenance into your agreement and always respond quickly to tenant calls if things aren’t working properly. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to offer a home that’s not just habitable and safe, but attractive. The more you invest in the right things, the better the rewards long term.