Are you a private landlord managing your own portfolio?
If yes, then have you had a professional Inventory compilation of the fixtures, fittings and furniture items that are present in your property before letting to prospective tenants?
An Inventory report forms part of a contract between a Landlord and a Tenant/s; this should be prepared objectively and in an impartial manner by a professional body who has no vested interest in the property. It may seem more cost effective to do this yourself, however, if you were ever faced with a legal dispute concerning damages to your property or the replacement of appliances or furniture items. An Inventory report constructed by a Landlord could affect the outcome if a settlement claim were ever to go through a legal process. Under that Landlord and Tenants Act 1985, the landlord is responsible for repairs to the following:
- The structure and exterior of the property
- Baths, sinks, basins and other sanitary installations
- Heating and hot water
- Other parts of the building or installations under the landlords control whose disrepair would affect the tenant
Other fixtures, fittings and furniture items can be responsibility of the occupant if there is significant evidence to show damage has occurred during a certain period, and whom is responsible.