Protect your property!

Protect your property!

The experts at Belvoir reveal six things you can do to help protect your investment...



As a property is likely to be one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, it’s essential that you take the vital steps to protect it – even if you’re not living in it yourself...




√ A good tenant

The first step to protecting your rental investment is to get a reliable tenant who will look after your property during their time in residence...

“A good tenant is one that pays the rent when due, abides by the terms of the tenancy agreement and generally treats the property as if it were their own,” says proprietor of Belvoir South Hants Paul Cartwright. “The initial reference checks are all-important in this regard as they check on credit worthiness (i.e. can they afford the rent), current employment and thoughts from the previous landlord or agent if they have been renting before. A good tenant will also report maintenance needs as soon as they appear and before the problem gets out of hand – a stitch in time saves nine!”

Mike Campbell of Belvoir Falkirk agrees. “The old adage about getting the tenants you deserve more often than not rings true,” he says. “Trust your judgement but don’t feel sorry for anyone – and always test what you are being told. Never take a tenant who wants to shortcut your vetting process.”

Proprietor of Belvoir Camberley Craig Walker adds that a good tenant will not only help protect your property but will also minimise the stress for landlords too. “Getting a good tenant will result in regular rental payments with no arrears,” he says. “The tenant will look after the property like it were their own and inform the agent of any repairs needed long before the problems deteriorate and cost more to resolve. They will generally stay longer so the landlords will have less voids, less maintenance costs and, ultimately, less hassle.”


√ Ensure your insured

It’s also vital to take out specialist insurance that will help protect your property – and your wallet – even if the worst should happen...

“At a minimum you must have landlord’s buildings insurance,” says Mike. “I’d also recommend taking out contents insurance – even in an unfurnished property. Take a view on more specialist insurance products, such as rental guarantee cover, too.”

Proprietor of Belvoir Ilford Carl Belle adds, “I recommend that landlords take Rent Protection Insurance, especially in the current economic climate. Even the best tenants who have all the correct levels of reference checks can lose their jobs and the ability to pay the rent. This insurance offers added protection and security.”

Paul Cartwright explains further... “Insurances are absolutely necessary in order to protect your investment,” he says. “Buildings insurance is vital but you can also get Rent and Legal insurance, which pays the rent (usually until eviction of a non-paying tenant), plus also pays for all legal fees involved in removing a tenant. This insurance is especially necessary if you have a mortgage!

“Some landlords take out emergency breakdown cover too – although it often doesn’t cover the cost of repairs it does usually cover the cost of a call-out (often 24/7 and 365 days a year) to make the property safe and protect the tenants.”


√ Regular inspections

“Another key area which is often neglected by landlords who self-manage is making regular inspections,” warns Mike. “It can be difficult to keep the landlord/tenant relationship on a professional basis and the old saying about ‘giving an inch taking a mile’ often results – regular inspections go by the wayside and you often get a surprise, usually a nasty one, when you get the property back at the end of the tenancy.”

Carl Belle of Belvoir Ilford adds, “Regular inspections can often identify any misuse of the property at an early stage, therefore action can be taken to rectify problems or terminate the tenancy if needed.”

Regular inspections of your property also allow you to monitor any maintenance issues that arise during the tenancy...

“Regular inspections can help keep on top of property maintenance issues long before costs spiral out of control due to long-term neglect,” says Craig. “Inspections also subconsciously assure the tenant that the agent is monitoring the property and will proactively take action if they do not keep to the AST terms as set out.”

Paul Cartwright agrees. “Regular inspections are a must,” he says. “And they must be often enough to catch any maintenance problems that may occur should the tenant not be reporting them as they should. Three-monthly is the generally accepted period; this also gives the tenant the opportunity to speak with you/the agent directly regarding any issues they may have.”


√ Safety first

Forward plan to make sure your property is well-equipped to remain as safe as possible. It’s advisable to fit good locks on all doors and windows and to install flood-lighting, burglar alarms, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors if possible. It is also a good idea to lag your pipes to help avoid them freezing in cold temperatures.

“To keep the property and tenants safe you should have smoke alarms (heat alarms in the kitchen),” advises Paul.

“If the property has gas then a Carbon Monoxide Alarm provides added protection for the tenant. A landlord’s gas safety certificate is required by law, as is an EPC before the property can even be advertised for let. An electrical safety certificate, although not always required in law, is also strongly advised. In our litigious society it is always someone’s fault when an accident occurs – make sure that someone is not you!”


√ On-going maintenance

“Keeping up with the maintenance helps prevent bigger more expensive jobs in the future,” says Carl. “If the property falls into poor condition tenants will tend to leave and it will prove harder to attract good tenants to replace them.”

Paul Cartwright agrees. “On-going maintenance is something that is usually left out of a landlord’s equations when he/she is compiling their business plan, but it is extremely important,” he says. “We all understand that we have to spend a certain amount on our personal property for its upkeep, the same is true of a rental property.

“Over time, dilapidations occur – gutters overflow, bargeboards and soffits deteriorate, tiles slip – and must be attended to as soon as possible in order to prevent greater and more costly interventions later on.”

Proprietor of Belvoir Falkirk Mike Campbell gives this example, “It’s absolutely critical to spend a penny to save a pound,” he says. “Resealing a bath once a year, for example, will only cost the price of some silicone. If left, you’re potentially looking at replacing bathroom flooring, having to take a bath out and put it back in, leaks down into the kitchen, redecorating and damage to tiles – this will all add up.”


√ Use a management agency

One of the best ways to help protect your property is to use the services of an experienced property management agency, who will be able to vet tenants on your behalf, perform regular inspections and highlight any maintenance issues before they escalate.

“A property management agent will be able to establish tenant identity and credit history, plus they will be able to check previous addresses etc – there is a lot to be said for tenants being who they say are and have lived where they say they’ve lived,” says Mike.

“A professional property manager is the landlord’s eyes and ears and the interface between tenants,” adds Carl. “This role is very important in the protection of the property and dealing with day-to-day tenant issues.”

And Paul Cartwright explains, “Property management is a complex business within which the rules and regulations are constantly changing, so it can be extremely time-consuming, even more so for a new landlord without the relevant training or industry contacts. An agent can explain your obligations while keeping a close eye on the property and the tenant to ensure that your asset is protected.”



• Belvoir Lettings now have more than 140 offices nationwide. To find your nearest Belvoir office, visit their website at www.belvoirlettings.com



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Property protection... at-a-glance

√ Credit check and reference your tenants
√ Get specialist insurance
√ Carry out regular inspections
√ Keep up-to-date with on-going maintenance
√ Fit good locks on all doors and windows
√ Install flood-lighting, burglar alarms, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
√ Lag your pipes to help avoid them freezing in cold temperatures
√ Employ the services of a management agency