The Importance of Regular Inspections
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Routine inspections help to make sure your rental is fit for human habitation and free of hazards. If maintenance issues are spotted, they can be remedied quickly before defects cause further damage. Recording your findings is important as it creates a property condition record which can be shared with the contract holder.
Rent Smart Wales recently published a case study where a landlord in Neath was unable to proceed with their possession notice as they were unable to provide any proof that the property had a carbon monoxide alarm. The landlord argued that there was one in the property at the start of the contract, however had no photographic or documented evidence to prove this. The court deemed the notice to be invalid and the landlord had to wait another 6 months before they could serve another notice.
Luscombe & Co carry out inspections every 6 months, taking photographs of carbon monoxide and smoke alarms each time. We also ensure they are listed on the original inventory.
Inspections are also important for several other reasons, they can help identify maintenance issues before they become a much more costly issue. They can also help you build trust with your contract holder and keep in touch. They are also a good way of making sure only the contract holder and any permitted occupiers are living in the property. The last thing any landlord wants is an illegal HMO by having multiple people living in a property that you were unaware of.
Property inspections are a crucial aspect of effective property management for landlords. Additionally, inspections provide legal documentation to protect landlords’ interests and demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and well-maintained rental property. We encourage landlords to prioritize property inspections and offer support in conducting thorough and professional inspections to ensure successful tenancies.