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Cleaning disputes between landlords and tenants in UK increasing
Landlords and letting agents in the UK are increasingly faced with dirty properties at the check-out stage and this has led to cleaning now accounting for 53% of deposit disputes. Over the last three years cleaning disputes have leapt by 13% whilst damage has dropped by from 60% to 46% in the same period, according to research by inventory software firm Imfuna Let. According to Jax Kneppers, the firm’s chief executive officer many tenants fail to leave their property in the same condition at check-out and are often very surprised when they are told that professional cleaning is required. As a result deductions made by landlords in relation to cleaning charges are regularly disputed by tenants. Many tenants claim that the cleanliness of the property at the start of the tenancy was not clear, or that the tenancy agreement did not make clear what was expected of them ‘If agents and landlords wish to make deductions for cleaning costs, they need to be careful to record the cleanliness of the property in sufficient detail, at the start and end of the tenancy. They will also need to ensure any charges they claim are a fair reflection of the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy,’ added Kneppers. One agent, Simon Smith, managing director of KS Property Rentals, said he has seen a decrease in cleaning disputes since using the firm. ‘I believe this is down to the very detailed inventory we carry out using the Imfuna Let software. We are able to record the cleanliness of the property with commentary and photographs and the digital inventory is shared with tenants at the start of the tenancy,’ he explained. ‘Cleanliness and rubbish removal are responsible for at least 90% of our deposit claims, less and less of those claims are reaching ADR due to the fact that once a tenant moves out, we email them a copy of their check-in and check-out reports, showing the clear evidence gathered with the Imfuna App, which speaks for itself,’ he pointed out. ‘As a result of seeing a thorough analysis of the property’s condition, more and more tenants are aware of the state of their fridges, ovens and the property in general, during the tenancy. Tenants are aware of cleaning issues and generally make more of an effort to keep the property clean during their tenancy,’ he added. Continue reading
Damp is number one turn off for UK house hunters
Damp, poor maintenance and a lack of parking top the list of UK house hunters’ biggest turn-offs, according to new research which is published as the spring house season begins. Damp patches staining walls and ceilings are the biggest problem for potential home buyers according to a new survey commissioned by Gocompare home insurance. It found that 67% of people would be deterred from buying a property which showed signs of damp. Others include poor maintenance, wooden windows, no garden, stone cladding and nasty odours. Some 60% would be put off by windows being rotten or in a poor state of repair, 55% by no parking, 54% by no garden, and 53% by smells caused by pets, damp, food and cigarettes. Some 53% would also be put off by unfinished building work. Poor natural light and dark rooms would be a turn off for 46% while 45% would be put off by small rooms. Some 42% would not like poorly finished DIY, 40% a small kitchen and 36% a dirty house. ‘If you’re looking to sell your home it’s important to make sure it’s well presented, both inside and out, to make it as appealing as possible to would be buyers. Buying a home is a big financial commitment and most house hunters will want to think that the property they’re buying has been well looked after by its current owners,’ said Ben Wilson of Gocompare home insurance. ‘Damp can be expensive to repair and may be an indication of a costly problem with a property such as a leaking roof. Unfinished or badly carried out work can be expensive to remedy and can detract from the value of a property as well as deterring potential buyers,’ he pointed out. ‘Bad housekeeping can also kill a sale. During a viewing many buyers will try to imagine themselves living in the property, so a dirty home, nasty smells and cluttered rooms can be a big put-off. They can also be a sign of other problems with the property. Clutter could suggest a lack of storage space, while a dirty home may suggest to buyers that the house has been unloved and in a poor state of repair,’ he explained. ‘So, a good spring clean is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to create bright, fresh airy rooms and increase the saleability of your home,’ he concluded. Continue reading
Over half of UK first time buyers rent before they buy
More than half of the UK’s first time buyers now try before they buy when it comes to owning their first home, according to an annual survey. The research from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks found that 54% of the nation’s first time buyers rent before they take the house buying plunge. A further 35% stay with family and 6% rent but move back to the family home to save for a deposit. The same survey last year revealed that 67% of first time buyers in the UK were waiting longer than planned to buy their first home with more than half of those surveyed revealing it had taken up to three years longer than anticipated. There is a clear financial benefit with 39% of those at home claiming to live rent free. Some 61% pay rent every month and a further 21% make a contribution through helping at home, paying bills or buying food for the household. However, 80% of Scots living at home pay rent compared to just 46% of those in London. The majority, 56%, of first time buyers said they feel pressure to buy their own home and this is felt most keenly amongst those renting a property. There were regional variances with 65% of first time buyers in London admitting to pressure to take their first step onto the property ladder. This compared to just 37% in the North East. ‘We know that first time buyers face a number of pressures and challenges and are focused on providing support throughout the process from helping to save for a deposit to finding the right mortgage to suit different needs and budgets,’ said Steve Fletcher, head of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks retail network. He pointed out that Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks are offering first time buyer mortgages with a 5% deposit. ‘We are proud that we were one of only a handful of lenders who continued to support this market throughout the economic downturn,’ he said. First time buyers with a deposit from as little as 5% can apply for a first time buyer mortgage and receive the benefit of no arrangement fee, £250 cashback and one free home valuation. The Banks offer a three year fixed rate of 3.59% with 90% LTV or 4.89% for a three year fixed with a LTV of 95%. Continue reading
