Plagues of pests are the most common maintenance issue for landlords

Plagues of pests are the most common maintenance issue for landlords

10:33 AM, 28th February 2023, About A year ago

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Landlords will have to carry out maintenance or repair work on a buy-to-let property 72 times during their ownership – costing them more than £34,000, research reveals.

And, according to lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, the most common maintenance issue facing landlords are plagues of pests.

The firm says that roofing repairs are the most expensive.

The research also shows that the average landlord will own a buy-to-let property for an average of 109.2 months, or just over nine years.

Landlord will need to replace or repair white goods

A landlord will need to replace or repair white goods five times during their ownership and as the second largest maintenance task, landlords will fork out £3,231.

Repainting will take place five times during ownership and is the third biggest cost at £2,992 on average.

But pests will be the most persistent problem facing a landlord and they will have to deal with the issue up to eight times – costing £2,940 in the process.

Damp or mould or damp is also one the biggest banes of a landlord’s life and while it ranks as one of the less expensive repairs at £2,752, the average landlord will need to carry out mould maintenance seven times on average.

‘Long-term cost of being a landlord’

Marc von Grundherr, a director of Benham and Reeves, said: “The long-term cost of being a landlord cannot be ignored.

“Anyone who is thinking of investing in buy-to-let property needs to first be aware of how ongoing outgoings will affect the overall profitability of their investment.

“However, ensuring that you’re always on top of maintenance issues is much more affordable than letting them get out of control, not least because a high-quality property reduces tenant turnover and, therefore, void periods.”

He added: “Over the course of the ownership lifespan, these costs do little to damage the great returns of property investment, but would-be landlords do need to make sure they have enough cash flow available to cover maintenance jobs.”


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