Property Managing Agents Poole Dorset. A looks at best ways to upset a tenant

Tailor Made Letting agency are property managers for Poole & Bournemouth. This local Poole Business has continued to specialize in rental property and management of private residential accommodation. Established in 1992 Tailor Made have developed their systems and processes as well as staying upto date with advances in the latest Property Management software "Gemini"

Jamie Rolls of Tailor Made Lettings says "Residential management is all about minimizing risk and because we specialize, we are good at what we do" The biggest problems arise where Landlords look to manage property themselves and whilst some maybe good at it others create situations where everything turns to pot simply because both sides are too emotionally involved in the property. Its not surprising to us how many times landlords with direct contact get annoyed then situation results in all out war. So often Landlord owners visit our offices to discuss their problem tenants asking us for help in dealing with the issue of tenants who have become difficult as a result of arguments.

Finding a tenant is the easy part of our job advanced websites and various property portals such as rightmove and zoopla bring the right type of customers to our door. The key to a happy rental is to maintain good relations and not to let a dripping tap or a faulty lock turn into a debacle that damages relations. No property is perfect and much of the time occupants are frustrated by technology shoddy workmanship therefore such issues need to be tracked and signed off as successfully tackled. The other cause of potential problems can be the lack of information. For many issues simply providing info prior to occupation can take the sting out of issues when they arise. For instance where a Landlord has gone to the expense and trouble of cleaning a property prior to occupying it is always worth providing a copy of the receipt attached to the inventory. Then at the end of a contract when you ask the tenant to oblige the same courtesy and they begin to argue {as often they do} a simple production of the receipt and the contract clause stating they will oblige with a clean will turn a reticent tenant into an obliging one. At Tailor Made we have a word for managing expectations of Landlords and Tenants "preconditioning" if a person has been preconditioned then there is less likely to be an argument when a strong arm becomes necessary. Common sense really?

So many times its these small tricks of the trade that result in achieving what both tenant and landlord hope for "a smooth uncomplicated tenancy"

As a landlord once you have read this short article you must surely see the benefits of using a specialist letting agent as opposed to handing your property over to a sales agency who does rentals on part time basis. Many agents these days have turned to the rental market because times are hard and they have to find a second income stream.

For many sales agents dealing with issues are a nuisance, particularly when they are out selling property, so problems are often left to an inexperienced secretary or part time worker whose skill is to manage the phone and in response to a problem phones a manager who in turn tells the receptionist to ring a plumber,who then leaves an ansa machine message and there ends the matter. As property manager a water leak needs to be followed through to the end even if it means letting the plumber in ourselves. Its what we do. You can picture the scenario a very angry Tenant returns home to find plumber came turned water off in the Road because he couldn't get access and will not come out again that evening.

Tailor Made Letting agents

Tenant causing damage ? what do you do ? So as a lanlord you have met the new tenants and they seem perfect both working with good jobs well dressed well spoken and good references. What more could you want?

Well they have been there 4 months and the agent has made the first inspection. The agent reports that the property is very messy but not damaged the tenants are simply untidy and perhaps careless and result could be a problem.

An inexperienced agent may write a stern letter and come down hard on the tenant. This should never be the first approach as it will alienate the relationship. The tenant agent relations should be maintained at early stages at all cost even if Landlord has fallen out. I have learnt through experience to tread carefully initially. Where things are not going well on initial inspections I have always returned to the office and written to the tenant saying "we are sorry you were not able to have the property ready for our inspection it maybe we did not give you enough time to get the house presentable as we are keen to present a good report to the owner, perhaps we could return in a weeks time please confirm your co-operation.

Now we have a situation where subtly the hint has been made without talking down at the tenants.Thereafter if they simply ignore a sterner approach can be adopted. So the agent has returned to the property and this time it is neat and tidy clothes are in laundry or wardrobes plates removed from floors and coffee tables and the agent report states that due to carelessness the newish cream carpets will not survive the term of their occupation as already stains from footprints and spillages have caused damage that may not clean.

Most agents at this point would warn the tenants that they are causing damages and they will expect them to remedy the damage by the expiry of the tenancy.

Many discussions over my 30 years with other agents in asking what course of action they would take they all respond similarly. Along the lines that they log it, then demjand tenant action and warn owner, then do nothing until, the expiry of the tenancy.

This is not the correct way to address the issue, it needs to be tackled with direct action immediately. Again from experience the last thing a tenant proven to be careless is interested in at the end of their term is the property they are leavingt. Their focus will be on the new property and will not give 100% commitment to the property they are vacating mentally or financially

So we are mid term and the carpets look like they will definately need replacing. Its at this point AN agent should insist the tenant tackles the issue today not tomorrow. The agent should tell the tenant how old the carpet is and obtain a price for professional cleaning and pass it to the tenant. Warn the tenant that if it doesnt clean they maybe responsible to replace. Ignore promises that they will sort it all when they vacate. The pressure must be placed on them whilst they are in the property. If the cleaning has worked they may be more cautious and tidy in future, if it has not worked and the damage is obvious then an agent should stick 2 or 3 replacement carpet quotes under the tenants nose saying that the owner intends to replace and they must pay. Its easier to pursue them legally whilst they are in your property.

It is the owners responsibility to make the decisions to enforce action keep in mind an agent is only a go-between. In making decisions fare wear & tear needs to be a consideration and the law courts will hold very little value of a carpet that is over 6 years old. A good agent will have the condition of the carpet reflected in the inventory but age will play a major factor in any dispute.

This example deals with carpets but can be applied to any other damage seen in the property.

Many owners read a report and think the agent will tackle it further, the agent is their to advise and administer your instruction if it falls within the law and the agents remit. However if anything is mentioned in the report then an owner should be pro-active in tackling the issue sooner rather than later