The Good Landlord Guide

Monday, April 8, 2019

 

Being a landlord has many benefits and the stress cannot be denied. There are various things that can go wrong but with a little knowledge and preparation you can minimise the risk of these occurring. Whilst they may be common, generally the mistakes which landlords make can be easily fixed so we’ve created this handy guide.

 

Overpricing the property – Renters are likely to be searching the local area so price your property competitively. Make sure you highlight any benefits of the property which may make its value slightly higher but at the end of the day, in today’s digital world, it is now easier than ever to research the local market.

 

Getting too attached – Lots of landlords are unable to detach themselves from the property. Instead of spending lots of money and time decorating the property to your taste, keep the décor neutral and simple. The goal is to make the property appealing to as many people as possible so remember functionality over fancy design flairs.

 

Forgetting legal requirements – Even if you are renting your property out to a friend, it is essential to create a legal and formal tenancy agreement. You’d be surprised at how often things go wrong. It is also required that all tenants’ deposits are protected in a Deposit Protection Scheme and remember to get landlords insurance.

 

Failing to keep up with inspections – It is easy to get complacent and after the first few checks, landlords soon relax and forget to keep tabs on the property. Aside from cleanliness and how the property is being treated, inspecting the property also allows you to see whether pets or guests are being kept and whether the tenant has decorated the property without consent. However, you must remember that a landlord must give notice before entering the property.

 

Being unrealistic – It’s very easy to look at things with a business head but if your tenant has paid their rent on time every month and informs you they will be late with a payment, try and be realistic. In addition to this, you should reply to any messages promptly and professionally and if you promised to fix something, stick by your word.

 

Not being financially stable – As a landlord, you need to ensure you have a budget, which includes the cost of renting as well as any reparations that may be needed during the process. There also may be some periods where no one is in the property and therefore, you will be receiving no money. Calculate what you can afford and all the expenses that you may face as a landlord including tax implications

 

Being aware of these common mistakes that landlords often make will help you avoid them and if you do have any more questions, then please get in touch with our Director of Lettings Neil Lux on 020 8954 0045