Six-Point Cleaning Checklist for Wembley Landlords

In this three-minute read, we look at ways landlords can prevent losing money in disputes about cleaning.

Six-Point Cleaning Checklist for Wembley Landlords
It’s not just couples who bicker over who did or didn’t scrub the bathroom; landlords and tenants can often find themselves at odds on the thorny issue of cleaning.
 
In fact, it’s the most common cause of landlord/tenant discord – 42% of end-of-tenancy disputes are about cleaning*.
 
Here are some tips for Wembley landlords on how to avoid losing money on cleaning disputes.
 
Be realistic
Tenants should leave a property in the same condition it was in at the start of the tenancy – with one proviso. Legally, there’s an expectation that wear and tear will take place due to ‘normal and reasonable’ use. Minor scuffs and marks may irritate you, but don’t confuse ‘fair wear and tear’ with cleanliness – or lack of.
 
Thorough inventory
Good check-in and check-out reports include photographs (lots of them, not just a few blurry snapshots taken on the hop) and written detail. For example, if you get the carpets professionally cleaned before a tenant moves in, state this in the check-in report (and keep the invoice). If you get into a dispute, you’ll need evidence to back up your claim.
 
Meticulous paperwork
Keep all invoices for work carried out at your property. Ensure they include a date and a clear breakdown of what was done and materials. Also, keep a record of any appliances or furniture that you purchase and conversations you’ve had with the tenant.
 
Respond to issues
Tenants have a duty to report issues as soon as they arise. The flip side is that if they highlight a problem, you need to rectify it. For example, if a tenant tells you that the bathroom extractor fan isn’t working and you don’t fix it, you’ll be on shaky ground complaining about mould in the shower.
 
Regular inspections
If a tenant isn’t maintaining your property to the standard you expect, you want to know about it as soon as possible so you can raise concerns. The last thing you want is a nasty surprise – and a massive clean-up bill – at the end of a tenancy.
 
Build a good rapport
If you treat your tenant with respect, there’s a much greater likelihood that they’ll treat your property with respect. If you do find yourself in a dispute, try to be constructive rather than combative.
 
For more advice about managing a rental property and avoiding tenant disputes, contact us here at Grey & Co.
 
* Data from The Dispute Service and Decorus for Sage.
 
 
COPYRIGHT GREY & CO 2021
 

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  Hello, my name is Abigail, and I am the Grey in Grey & Co. I started working here in 2002 as a Junior Negotiator and have worked my way up the ranks since then. I took over running the company in 2014 and have been enjoying the roller coaster that is leadership ever since.   During my 20 plus years at Grey & Co I have dealt with the sale of over £100,000,000 worth of property and overseen the management of assets worth £250,000,000 for clients around the world.   I also had the pleasure of working with my father, the founder of Grey & Co, for 15 years before he sadly passed away and from him, I learnt the work hard ethic and our values today are still the ones that he founded the company on all those years ago.   Be Remarkable, Be Passionate, Be Humble and Be Better.   As a community centric boutique family agency, you couldn’t find a better partner to take with you on your property journey.

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