Firstly Happy New Year to all – we hope that 2025 is a good one whether you are a Landlord, Agent or Contract Holder!
The start of any new year brings the opportunity for new perspectives on the way we work and how we can do things better. The Lettings world is constantly changing and evolving, and we are all looking for ways in which we can streamline our processes to create more time for growing and expanding our businesses. Here at Smart Letting Solutions, 2024 was firstly a year of discovery in terms of finding out what services Agents needed, and then a year of development in providing those services to our Clients in an effective, economical and accurate way that made lettings lives easier.
Moving into 2025 one thing we are focusing on is assisting Agents in getting those all important Midterm Property Inspections completed in the first quarter. The inspection process is one of the most labor intensive as far as Agents are concerned, as it involves a great deal of administrative work to get the appointment booked in, complete the inspection, write up the report and pass to the Landlord for their feedback and instruction on any works that may be required. However the benefits of getting these inspections completed accurately and efficiently are numerous and can prevent problems further down the line.
A Midterm Property Inspection is a two way street – for the Agent it is the opportunity to assess the overall condition of the property and ensure it is compliant with the Renting Homes (Wales) Fitness for Human Habitation guidelines set out by the Welsh Government. This legislation covers 29 matters and circumstances, but predominantly it is in relation to safety e.g. smoke and CO alarms, excess heat and cold, and the general wellbeing of the Contract Holder within the property. A thorough inspection should identify any issues in relation to the government guidelines, whilst also confirming that the Contract Holder is also maintaining the property to an acceptable standard and is not in breach of any of the occupation contract terms. For the Contract Holder, the inspection is the ideal time for them to bring any unresolved issues or defects to the attention of the Agent, in order that they can be investigated and a suitable plan of action implemented to remedy the matters to everyone’s satisfaction.
In summary, the Midterm Property Inspection should be seen as a vital cog in the wheel of successful and trouble free letting of a rental property. It helps build positive relationships between Agent and Contract Holder, and from a Landlord perspective is a key component in keeping them well informed about the overall condition of their property, and any issues that may require their attention.
Here’s to new perspectives in 2025!
Lance.