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Landlords told to allow tenants to make improvements
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has said that landlords should offer a more open-minded approach to tenants’ requests to making improvements to their rental properties.
It suggests that a growing number of number of private tenants are keen to personalise their rental accommodation.
Improvements
A recent study from Plentific found that 73% of tenants have carried out DIY improvements out of their own pocket.
The research questioned more than 2,000 tenants a found that 23% had spent more than £500 on home improvements in their property.
Patricia Barber, chair of the AIIC, observed: ‘It’s clear that tenants are increasingly willing to spend their own money on improving their rental property and this is certainly something landlords should think about.’[1]
Barber suggests that landlords who permit tenants to make reasonable alterations could see long-term rewards.
Standards
Continuing, Barber said: ‘We’re seeing more long-term tenants and they’re clearly committed to living in a higher standard of property. Landlords who cautiously allow tenants to put their own stamp on a property could benefit from a lower turnover of tenants and an improved and well-maintained property at the end of the contract.’[1]
She also advises all landlords to make sure that they have an accurate inventory in place, whereby they can long the condition of the property before, during and after the tenancy.
This will not only be imperative in terms of a dispute, but can help eradicate the risk in the first place.
Concluding, Barber said: ‘If rental properties are noticeably changing over the course of a tenancy, it’s vitally important that there is an inventory which comprehensively details the condition and contents of the property at the start of the tenancy. This way any fair deposit deductions can be made by the landlord and the chances of a [tenancy] deposit dispute are minimised.’[1]
[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/3/landlords-urged-to-allow-tenants-to-personalise-their-rental-properties