Tips for ‘tenant proofing’ your property

Tips for ‘tenant proofing’ your property

13:40 PM, 2nd September 2014, About 10 years ago 39

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I’ve just exchanged on my first Buy to Let and as I’ve got some work to do on the property in advance of letting it I thought I’d ask fellow members what tips they’ve acquired over the years for ‘tenant proofing’ their properties in the hope that I might incorporate some of the precautions at this stage.

I’ve read a few good ones on this wonderful site that were part of other threads, for example putting lino in the bathroom that goes up the wall edges (like they do in hospitals) to help reduce the damage from leaks etc. Another tip was installing a humidity extractor that comes on at certain humidity and can’t be switched off by a tenant who wants to save on electric!

I remember reading a thread about a compacting toilet that was switched off by the tenant and there was a cautionary piece of advice in there for landlords but as I’m about to go to lunch I don’t fancy re-reading that particular thread right now !! 😉

Thanks in advance

Petertips


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Comments

Smithy

15:02 PM, 6th September 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Neil Robb" at "06/09/2014 - 11:34":

Not sure to be honest, since clearly I'm not the person living there. I've been renting houses out for over 20 years and not had a problem yet - that's not to say it might not happen in the future.

However, I have had (and still have) tenants who cannot manage their money so I prefer pre-pay meters. If they wanted them in their names I would probably agree, but none of them have asked.

All BankersAreBarstewards Smith

19:50 PM, 6th September 2014, About 10 years ago

I have had utility companies call centre staff try to make me responsible for tenant 's bills after abandonment.... I firmly refuse to pay and they back off.. if a bill was in my name it would be much harder to prove why I should not pay the outstanding amount......

Neil Robb

20:46 PM, 6th September 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Smithy

I had one tenant owe over £2500.00 in electric why they allowed it to get so high is beyond me. The tenant moved out no furniture in the property yet they Scottish Power still broke into my property and put in a prepayment meter and changed my locks. I complained and got no where. The even stapled the enforcement letter into my PVC Door. If this ever happens again I will take it further. But after that I became aware to ensure the accounts go into the tenants name.

I don't know how the tenant did it but he had a council tax bill put back into my name again for £2500.00. Lucky for me the man in the council was really helpful and got the debt back into the tenants name after I gave proof he was the tenant. He owed similar amounts of council tax from another two properties. I was lucky as he stated it was council policy to hold me responsible for this.

But this year was my first they had by passed the meter lucky for me I ensured it was put in her name when she moved in.

Steve Dalloway

9:23 AM, 8th September 2014, About 10 years ago

As I’m a bit of a bathroom Guru on 118, make sure you seal in the bath properly and don't bother with shower screens as they look great when installed, but look poor after 12 months or so and frequently leak. A shower curtain and a good quality, sturdy non sagging stainless steel shower rail will work well.

I never use electric showers, always showers off the bath taps as the shower heads and hoses can be replaced easily. Getting the right head / hose combination to get the best shower experience for your tenant is important too and this is easy if you know what you are doing.

Magnolia & white paint is perfect ! Only electric cookers reduce the fire risk and make sure you have a good plumber you can can call on if things break down.

It’s not such a mine field, but it’s worth making sure you register the deposits and continue to do so every 6 months. Plus 6 monthly inspections are a must.......

Best decision I ever made though !!

rob david

23:04 PM, 23rd September 2014, About 10 years ago

i had problems with what i'd call gypoes & their electric bills. slow with rent and even slower paying for power, claiming the meters were in error, always behind with endless excuses, asking for credit etc. So we installed WiFi based meters. These are completely adjustable for changing the rate & off peak and no standing charge (except your main supply if HMO or caravan site)

no cards, no coins, no software, no meter to by-pass - they read it on their phone, so they can try bypassing that !

hope this is of interest and helps.

Jay James

11:24 AM, 24th September 2014, About 10 years ago

Speaking about certain groups in a certain way is disrespectful and may indicate disrespectful attitudes. Doing this about a customer makes it worse.

AnthonyJames

12:29 PM, 24th September 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jay Jay" at "24/09/2014 - 11:24":

Why is it disrespectful to say that certain individuals within a perceived or self-declared group have been late with their rent and their utility bills? They have either been late, or they haven't. Stating the fact that certain tenants behave in this way does not imply disrespect for them, or disrespect towards all tenants regarded as a group.

I don't see any such caution over possible disrespect in the way certain tenants or the commentariat talk about landlords as a group.

All BankersAreBarstewards Smith

15:05 PM, 24th September 2014, About 10 years ago

i think jay jay may have been referring to "gypoes" - I also found that a distasteful word.

rob david

15:46 PM, 24th September 2014, About 10 years ago

Thank you TA for a balance. My casual use of the term may well have been flippant but it was from personal experience with some very undesirable individuals resulting in threats and intimidation towards myself and wrecked property, not withstanding various arrears. They turned out to be drug dealers with a 'front' business.

I dare say taking an honest straw poll most non gypsy property owners would not welcome them settling next door; piling hypocrisy onto PCness.

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