Property is one of the most popular investments that can lead to you making a steady income. Whether that’s with your own home, or with a few that you can rent out to others. If you’ve decided to take on a property as a way of generating income, you may not realise how much work goes into managing your property efficiently. Below, we’ll look at some common mistakes that property owners make when during the management process, to help you avoid any issues in the future.
A home should be warm, and inviting, which is why a great heating system is so important. You can install a column radiator, in modern or traditional styles so you can have peace of mind that your property will be comfortable all year round.
DIY fixes
When managing your property, it can be tempting to utilise DIY fixes so that you can save money, however, if you’re a landlord, taking this approach in a property that is not your own home, can result in further issues down the line. You may think you’re saving money by sorting out issues yourself, but it can end up costing you more in the long run. As well as this, you may think it’s appropriate to allow the tenants to take care of any damage and repair any issues within your property, however, this can be detrimental not only for you if they injure themselves, but also if they make the problem worse with more extensive damage. When it comes to managing your property, it is always best to hire a professional to carry out any repairs for you.
Not Screening Tenants
Renting out your property means you will have to properly screen and vet tenants so you can choose someone that is a good fit. Although looking through extensive paperwork to see if your potential tenant fits the criteria can take time, it is important that your property is treated with respect and carrying out these checks means you’re more likely to get paid on time without issue. If you’re unsure what your vetting process should include, think about setting a credit score requirement to ensure timely and seamless repayments, you should also carry out a background check where possible.
Hiring the wrong company
You should find a company that manages properties, rather than simply leases them. Taking the time to find the right management company means you are more likely to find the most suitable tenant. If you choose an estate agent for this, be sure that you’ve done your research first – some agents won’t have the experience, nor the time to manage properties which means you could end up with a bad tenant. Hiring a management company can be advantageous if you have a few properties to rent – they can help you to fix any issues and ensure that you can still operate with your properties being handled correctly.
Being unorganised
If you have many properties, or even just one, you’re going to have to be able to organise all the paperwork that comes along with them. Record keeping is key when it comes to managing your property and means that you can put your hand on contracts, files, and contacts when you need them the most – and failure to locate them means you could end up losing money, or with legal issues in the worst case. The more organised you are, the more efficient you will be at managing your property.
Lack of inspections
Keeping up with regular property inspections means that you can manage any issues or discrepancies more easily. Leaving a property for a long period without checking on it means problems that could have been avoided can worsen. If you’re not carrying out your inspections due to lack of time, your property could end up being inhabitable meaning you lose income. Property inspections are crucial when managing.
