How landlords in St.Helens can banish the blues
In this three-minute read, we look at ways to prevent the tenant/landlord relationship from turning sour.
We hate to be the bearers of bad news but today is the most depressing day of the year – otherwise known as Blue Monday.
It's the time of year when we fall into a post-Christmas slump because the weather is rubbish and money is tight.
And as a landlord living through lockdown, your relationship with your tenant may also be under strain.
Here at THINK Estate Agents, we can't conjure up sunny skies or a lottery win, but we can help you improve your tenant situation.
We've come up with three ways to combat common issues which can make Blue Monday even more miserable for landlords.
Property damage
Every landlord hopes their tenant will treat their property with respect – but unfortunately, that doesn't always happen.
It's not uncommon for a landlord to be left to fix broken cupboards, holes in walls, carpet stains and doors that have come off the hinges – or worse.
The best way to prevent your property getting trashed is to conduct an in-depth inventory at the start of a tenancy.
Photograph and detail all furniture, fixtures, and fittings so both parties are clear what the property and its contents should look like when the lease ends.
That way, if there is any dispute, you'll have evidence to back up your case.
Rubbish removal
There's nothing more infuriating than a tenant who does a runner and leaves behind a mountain of rubbish and old tat for the landlord to bin.
Sometimes these items are large – for example, damaged white goods or broken furniture – and the landlord has to get a skip to remove it all.
To prevent your property resembling a junkyard, you must carry out regular inspections. If you notice the rubbish piling up on a visit, you can act early – before your house or flat looks like the set of a horror film.
The silent tenant
You may think it's a positive thing if you never hear from your tenant, but no news isn't always good news when it comes to managing a property.
Sometimes tenants are reluctant to tell their landlord about a leaky pipe or dodgy electrical socket because they don't want to make a fuss.
But that leak could cause costly water damage over time, and a faulty electrical socket could spark a serious blaze. You need to maintain an open dialogue with your tenant so that any maintenance issues get sorted promptly.
You don't have to go over the top, but be proactive and personable. It's in everyone's best interests if the tenant/landlord relationship is a constructive one.
One big reason to be cheerful this Blue Monday is that we can look after all of the above (and a whole lot more) for you.
If you have any questions about managing your property in St. Helens, Haydock or Newton-Le-Willows and would like to find out about our property management services, please get in touch.
Call the Haydock team on 01744 371371 or the Newton team on 01925 290290. Alternatively, fill in the form on this page and our Lettings team will be in touch