Spring seems to have come around more quickly than usual this year, and it seems we have definitely had our fair share of the April showers! Right now the majority of us are preparing for the inevitable...spring cleaning! With this in mind, one of the most frequently asked questions by Landlords this month has been 'How often should I redecorate my property?'
As a landlord, decoration may not seem one of the top priorities when it comes to your property, and more often than not it isn't even thought about! It is important to remember that it is not just about making the tenant happy (which is obviously an advantage). Mostly we notice that properties that are maintained and redecorated on a regular basis are more likely to achieve higher rental returns. This, if anything is worth getting the paint brushes out for!
Now, when we advise regular redecoration, it seems that a refresh every 5 years is a good idea. This gives plenty of time to plan in advance and therefore shouldn't be too costly or time consuming. It is commonplace that a property that has been redecorated and kept up to date will let significantly quicker than a property that is looking run down. It also can lead to a better choice of tenant, as more often than not we are told 'only modern or neutrally decorated properties please!'.
So while you’re in the spring cleaning mood, now is the time, (especially if your tenant is coming to the end of their tenancy), to anticipate doing a bit of redecoration. If you need any advice don't hesitate to get in touch with our sales team who are full of tips and pointers for making the best of your property!
What You Need To Know About Changes to Tenant Deposit Legislation!
As well as changes to EPC legislation, we are also being introduced to changes in the Tenant Deposit legislation, which will come into effect after 12th April 2012. These changes are on their way and it is important that we are all up to date with the new procedures, to make the task of sorting out a tenant's deposit as simple as possible!
One of the main changes proposed and possibly the most important, is that as landlords you will now have the right to hold on to a tenant's deposit for 30 days rather than the 14 days we have now, to make any decisions on deductions and negotiate between yourselves and the Tenants about any unresolved issues. Be warned though that after these 30 days the tenant will have the right to go straight to a county court for a decision if the deposit has not been returned by this point.
Another change is that currently a Landlord who does not comply will be fined 3 times the deposit value. Now the Judge appointed to the case will be able to award no less than the deposit but no more than 3 times the deposit amount using their discretion to appoint a suitable amount for each individual case.
If you would like a full break down of the new rules, or have any questions please contact the Sales Team who will be more than happy to help!
Kind Regards,
Mat Symons Sales Director - Gatekeeper Property
Customer Service April 2012
100% Customer satisfaction was achieved in the month of April. An outstanding result which definitely shows the dedication of the Gatekeeper team even in the busiest of environments!
Colleagues Comments - Vanessa Mclean (Property Care Director)
April has been a fantastic month and with record numbers of calls and lets we couldn't be happier. Of course, being so busy we have been looking into how we can be more efficient. Subsequently, this month saw the launch of our Mobile Site and Call back service, which gives prospective tenants even more opportunity to view properties online and get in touch to book viewings (in addition to our already successful online booking system!). We have also launched an IPAD application to enable quicker more in depth inventories. This will feed straight back to our Property Care Team, meaning everything will be covered and correct to create the best possible inventory for your property. So rest assured, that even as we get busier and busier, we will continue to provide and improve the great customer service you already receive.
