Meet Louise.

Louise owns a rental in Lidlington.

Louise skipped inspections and is now suffering the consequences of unauthorised occupation, a slow leak and unsafe stairs.

Don’t be lax like Louise.

Don’t skip inspections.

Inspections aren’t just to check if tenants are looking after the place. Orchards has a dedicated member of staff for inspections; Joey knows exactly what to watch out for, whether hidden damage, funny smells, or signs of sub-letting.

Do prevent problems.

By visiting in person and at regular intervals, a problem is picked up before it persists. Louise’s leak would have been far less of an issue if found on a routine inspection, rather than a year down the line. Joey is also able to alert you to problems in communal areas, which can be passed to the freeholder to fix.

Do think ahead.

During inspections, Joey looks for issues that may be under control now, but could easily get worse. He recently spotted rot on a storm porch and moss on the roof. Sanding the wood and treating the tiles cost the landlord £120, compared to what could have been £2,000 if left.

Do stay safe.

As well as being functional, a home needs to be safe. Among other things, Joey checks for trip hazards such as loose paving, slip hazards such as dripping gutters, and that smoke alarms are working. Louise’s rickety stairs run the risk of someone falling down them, which could end in massive fines or even imprisonment for negligence.

Don’t be non-compliant.

There are many rules a landlord must stick to. Inspections allow you to assess compliance with HHSRS, for example. Government-set parameters adjust over time, so it’s important to be up to date and in excellent condition.

Do keep records.

Inspections are also a chance to determine if repairs have been done. Keeping a log of inspections and their outcome could come in handy should something escalate to court. If the judge asks why the home wasn’t checked, “I wouldn’t pay for an inspection” isn’t an answer they’ll appreciate.

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Do use a lettings agent like Orchards:

01525 40 22 66
ampthill@orchards.co.uk