Archives June 2021

How To Find The Perfect Property Inventory Clerk

Whether you’re a seasoned or inexperienced landlord, hiring an inventory clerk is a necessary cost. Even if your budget is tight, an inventory clerk should be considered an essential element of the process and could end up saving you a significant amount of money in the long run. But how do you go about finding the perfect property inventory clerk, and where should you look?

perfect property inventory clerk
Image by Schluesseldienst from Pixabay

How To Recognise A Good Clerk 

It’s quite easy to discover an inventory clerk online, but hiring the first one you see could be a costly error you’ll soon regret. Even if you prioritise cost-effectiveness, the cheapest choice may not give what you’re paying for.

A perfect property inventory clerk will pay close attention to detail and have a thorough understanding of their work. It is not enough to simply mention everything in your property; it is also critical that the report be formatted in accordance with industry standards. If it does not, a court may refuse to accept the inventory as evidence in the event that it is required.

When creating an inventory report, a clerk should include everything, right down to the door handles and locks. This immaculate attention to detail will supply you with all the information you need to prove the condition of the property and its contents.

Where To Find Your Perfect Property Inventory Clerk

Starting with word of mouth is usually a wonderful place to begin. If someone you trust has previously utilised an inventory clerk, their personal recommendation may be all that is required. If you don’t know someone who can recommend a clerk, you’ll have to do some further research on your own.

Looksy Inventories could be your perfect property inventory clerk. We certainly tick all the boxes. We are:

  • Dedicated
  • Expert
  • Professional 
  • Reliable 
  • Cost-effective
  • Local 
  • Experienced 

For more information, including our pricing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch

Utility Bills When Renting: Who Is Responsible?

During the tenancy period, a tenant is usually responsible for paying council tax and utility bills. A tenancy agreement will usually state that a tenant is responsible for paying council tax and utility bills when renting, and many disputes arise when a tenant fails to do so.

In such cases, an adjudicator may be presented with a number of unpaid bills that correspond to the length of the tenancy. Nonetheless – and importantly – if the bills are in the name of the tenant, an adjudicator will usually determine that the landlord has not suffered a loss and will not make an award.

This is because the contract is between the utility provider and the tenant, and any loss or liability is thus not the landlord’s responsibility (and would instead be pursued by the utility company against the tenant directly). Alternatively, if a landlord presents unpaid utility bills when renting in the landlord’s name (or at the property’s address), an adjudicator may determine that the landlord is entitled to make a claim against the deposit.

This is because the liability (as stated on the bill) is in the name of the landlords and letting agents for the property, and thus the landlord would suffer a loss. Commonly, this occurs with council tax liability, where a council may not have been updated as to the tenant’s occupation of a property, and the landlord will retain liability for the council tax at the address. A liability in the name of the landlord (or the name of a property) can be recovered against the deposit; however, the standard burden of proof principles will apply.

utility bills when renting
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Postal Services Act 2000

While a landlord may be concerned about unpaid utilities, a landlord and agent cannot open the tenant’s mail without permission, and doing so may constitute a criminal offence under the Postal Services Act 2000. In any case, a landlord should keep in mind that a utility contract is typically between a tenant and a utility provider, and as such, it is not the landlord’s responsibility (or liability) – such correspondence, therefore, should be forwarded to the tenant at their forwarding address, unopened.

However, such a liability would usually arise if the property was left vacant – and a tenant cannot be held doubly liable for council tax on a property where a landlord or letting agent has found a new tenant to offset the impact of a breach of the fixed term. However, if the property is a property of multiple occupations or if a landlord can claim an exemption due to an unoccupied/substantially unfurnished property, the circumstances may be different. In these cases, it may be prudent for a landlord or letting agent to seek legal counsel.

Contact Looksy Inventories Today

Contact Looksy Inventories today to find out more about how an inventory can prevent disputes at the end of a tenancy, and ensure your rental property is safe and secure. Utility bills when renting can even be included, ensuring everyone knows who is responsible.

Renting Out Your Home: How Your Family Can Benefit

With all of the responsibilities and risks that come with the role of a landlord, venturing into the world of property can be quite a heart-racing endeavour. However, not only you but also your family can benefit greatly from renting out your home. Continue reading to see how it can be useful to your family and what the benefits of renting out your home really are.

renting out your home
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

A Source Of Constant Passive Income

Renting out your home is a way to generate passive income. One of the advantages of passive income is the convenience of having money deposited into your account on a regular basis with little to no effort. It can be a profitable venture from which you and your family can benefit quickly. As a landlord, you must ensure that your home facilities are in good working order. This can help you charge the most rent in order to fully reap the benefits of passive income.

The Chance To Do More

Renting out your home allows you to market it in the property market and generate revenue as opposed to leaving it vacant. As your reputation as a landlord grows, more and more people will recognise the value of your property. House location, size, and proximity to nearby amenities are all factors that can increase the value of your home on the market. If you’re renting out your home for a few years, the value of your home will undoubtedly rise. This creates an excellent opportunity to profit from. When you finally find a buyer, you can sell your home for a higher price and make a larger profit.

A Good Starting Point

Dive headfirst into property can be a daunting experience, especially if you plan to start later in life. Renting out your home is a great way to gain this valuable experience. It improves your business acumen and fosters a newfound passion for real estate. Lessons learned as a landlord can help you establish more opportunities, as well as teach you how to manage buildings, finances, and emotions. It broadens your horizons, which can lead to the leasing of many other valuable properties, providing you and your family with a stable source of income to last a lifetime.

Renting Out Your Home Is Your Retirement Plan

When your children reach a certain age, the cost of college and other general expenses begins to skyrocket. By the time you retire, you should have completed your role as a parent. Retirement is a near-term concept associated with wealth, golf, and a life of leisure. In short, now is a good time to settle down and enjoy your golden years in peace. However, have you decided how you intend to support yourself in retirement? Investing in real estate is a capital idea that most people begin when they retire. It can be difficult to grasp without prior experience, and you may make a number of mistakes before mastering the trade. You stand to benefit from renting out your home.

Call Now ButtonCall Now