Repairing your Property

Although you might own a house longer than you’ll own any other possession, sometimes properties are not as robust as you might hope. Houses and flats do need the occasional repair and though this can sometimes be as simple as a new splash of paint and a few new shelves, sometimes you might need to put in a little more work.

Repairs are especially important if you are renting a property to tenants as you need to make sure the tenants are happy with the quality of the house and that there is no risk of faults or major damage. However, undertaking repairs can often cause hassle for both you and your tenants. So what should you consider before undertaking major repairs on your property?

When to repair?
Timing is crucial for a landlord when starting a large repair job, especially if you need to call in professional builders. If you are lucky, it might be that you are able to make renovations between tenants but otherwise you should try to find a time when a tenant is away or on holiday.

Keep your tenants informed
It is important to communicate with your tenant on any works that will be going on; it is their home after all! Tenants will usually be co-operative, but try to fit around their schedule as best as you can and not cause too much of a disturbance to their day to day life.

Go green?
If you’re making renovations to exterior walls or a loft it might be worth considering the energy efficiency of your property. Good insulation can save you money on your energy bills and will be a bonus to any potential buyer should you choose to eventually sell your property.

Get covered
If your property is likely to be empty when conducting renovations you should consider taking out Unoccupied Property Insurance. The risk of your property sustaining damages while it is empty is considerably increased and it’s always worth protecting yourself.

Properties do need maintaining and sometimes it can be costly and time consuming. Planning carefully, being considerate of your tenants and insuring yourself properly can really help you minimise the hassle of undertaking repairs.