PropTech supplier Inventorybase has drawn up a league table of what it calls the private rental sector’s most complained about issues.
After analysing visits to its website section for landlords, it says tenancies and contracts are the biggest issue with 21.49 per cent of all interactions on the forum relating to this category.
Then came maintenance on 16.9 per cent; rent on 15.4 per cent; tenants in situ on 11.1 per cent; and bills on 9.7 per cent.
The issue with the least amount of views was eviction and repossession with only 0.55 per cent of of all interactions relating to this topic.
Steve Rad, expert property inspector and managing director of Inventorybase, has given these tips on how to effectively resolve disputes between tenants and landlords.
Keep up to date with everything - Understanding the latest changes to housing laws and making amendments as and when they are necessary will help resolve disputes and make you a better landlord and tenant.
Put disputes in writing and keep an inventory - Always keep an up to date and formal document with any issues you have regarding the property you’re letting. Keep an inventory and a diary and be as specific and as accurate as you possibly can – describing dates and any occurrences which pertain to the dispute. This helps keep both landlord and tenant up to date with factual evidence.
Hire a mediator - Using the help of a neutral third party can help both tenant and landlord feel they are being heard without bias. The mediator will also be best placed to advise whether or not further action is necessary in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Focus on the positives and try to compromise - It’s easy to think solely about what you want out of a situation. However a positive solution is often a long term one and the repercussions of your dispute may be felt further down the line. Be willing to compromise and make sure you both communicate effectively.
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Biggest Landlords worry loss Freehold ownership rights and vacant rights. Exclusion from their investment and loss of all Control / Section 21, Section 21. Section 21. Section 21. Section 21. & Section 21. Just add treated as second class citizens and Criminalized specifically by law more than any other human being.
Couldn't agree more Michael!
The biggest issues in the past may be different to the biggest issues in the future. We already have to contend with extra stamp duty, Section 24, rent arrears, damage to property, etc. Biggest problem for tenants will be actually finding anywhere to live, unfortunately. For landlords it will be whether there is any point in continuing in this business, and when to sell up. For those who carry on, being much more selective about who you rent your property to, getting rid of anything which won't meet EPC-C, and grappling with making tax digital. Happy days.
Government and councils need to be preparing now for a big increase in the homeless
Bizarre article. Steve Rad is behaving as though we live in a utopia. Most tenants would make mincemeat of him.
As said the problems of the past may not best reflect what the issues will be in the future…. EPC C !!! This alone will cause me to sell the lot.
I promised myself to sell once a tenant moves out. I kept my promise to myself and last month, I put one on the market. Guess what, I got 20K above asking price. Nowadays you do not put asking price, you just call it "guide price". That should cover some of my Capital Gains. With the changes that are announced by the government, and with regards to EPC rating on the horizon, my remaining tenants, should they remain my tenants, will have to think beyond 2018 to find themselves an alternative accommodation. I have just had enough.
Steve Rad is obviously operating in a parallel universe where rent controls, lifetime sitting tenants and then tenants given 50% or more discount to buy the property are the order of the day.
David Saunders, that's obviously want comrade Carrie wants. Mortgage applicants have had their elegibilty reduced so anyone can get a mortgage, ie people on benefits! Sub prime here we come.
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