While some see property as an easy way to make money, there are a number of issues which can cause disagreements between tenants and landlords. However, many of them can be avoided by remembering that gentle nudges can encourage everyone to meet their obligations.

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Most Argued About

No one really enjoys cleaning, and this is the number one source of conflict in property rental, especially at the end of a tenancy. Tenants can resent their deposit money being used for cleaning a grubby property, and the tenant deposit schemes recommend reminding departing tenants of their obligations to clean the property when leaving. Sending some photos of what the property looked like when they moved in will help jog memories as to what condition the property should be returned in. A reminder in writing – with photos – when tenants give notice should do the trick.

Cleaning issues can account for up to 80 per cent of tenant and landlord conflicts, although most of these are resolved before they need intervention at a higher level.

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Maintenance and Management

Landlords have a duty to deal with needed repairs and maintain the property in good condition. Absent landlords may need to appoint agents or reliable tradespeople who can deal with issues as they arise. While some landlords are very conscientious, others have a bad reputation for exploiting tenants, according to this report in The Guardian.

Damage to the property is another source of friction, and photos can help in establishing the truth. Being organised and documenting everything is key to having the evidence to resolve disputes easily, and Property Inventory Software can assist with compiling a comprehensive report that clearly establishes the state of a property when tenants move in. If you want to find out more about Property Inventory Software, it would be worthwhile contacting experts in this area such as https://inventorybase.co.uk/.

Common sense can eliminate many sources of disputes. Landlords must keep properties in good condition, and tenants should respect their accommodation and pay their rent on time. But when it comes to disagreements about who did or did not leave things in a good state, nothing beats a detailed inventory that both parties can sign off on and a selection of clear photos that represent the condition of a property when tenants took charge of it.