As the weather forecasters predict more bad weather, the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) is reminding tenants to be aware of who is responsible for what in the event of damage to a rented property.
Following the wettest January on record, the whole of Britain has been warned of more storms to come. Storm damage, power cuts and flooding can be unpleasant and stressful experiences for those involved.
Should any damage to your property occur during this stormy period, it is important to familiarise yourself with your tenancy agreement. That way you can ensure any problems are sorted as quickly as practically possible.
At Applegate Properties we offer advice to tenants before, during and even after they vacate with regards to their responsibilities. We dedicate time to check all tenants into properties, showing them where the water stop taps are etc. We have also recently published our second magazine which has a feature on tenant responsibilities. If you would like to receive a copy of our magazine please email or telephone us.
ARLA has the following tips for those concerned about the effects of harsh winter weather on their rented home:
If there is a problem with your property you, as tenants, should always have access to contact details of the responsible party. It is always advisable to report any weather-related damage immediately. Don’t weather the storm alone.
If the responsible party cannot attend immediately, taking time-stamped pictures of any damage is a sensible course of action to ensure the details of the incident are accurately recorded.
What’s your responsibility?
In most cases, landlords will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the exterior of your building. However, you as tenants should do everything you can to minimise damage, even if this is limited to reporting a problem as soon as it happens. Any damage may be the subject of an insurance claim for the landlord. Remember, an unresolved small problem can quickly escalate into a big problem.
In certain agreements tenants can be required to perform limited upkeep tasks like clearing gutters, which could lead to drainage problems in heavy rainfall. This is another good reason to check your tenancy agreement.
Deep freeze
During the colder months, it is also a tenant’s responsibility to make sure the pipes don’t freeze. The best way to combat this problem is to set the heating to come on at a low level during the coldest parts of the day.
Flooded out
When viewing a rental property, it is worth checking if the area is prone to flooding. This is an especially important consideration if the property is near a water source, however small, or if is in a low-lying area.
Contents insurance for your own goods is your (the tenants’) responsibility, and you must ensure it provides adequate cover for water damage if you remain concerned about the potential for flooding.
If the lights go off…
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a power cut as a tenant, checking the UK Power Networks website is a quick and easy way to get updates on the current situation. If the power cut is affecting more than just your home, it is worth getting in touch with your utility provider directly, rather than your landlord in the first instance. It would be also useful to make a note of their telephone number as you may not have computer access.
If the power remains off for an extended period of time, remember that freezers may leak as contents warm and any appliances that were on at the time of the cut will come back to life once power is restored.
If you are in any doubt as to your responsibilities just give us a call or email us.
Source: http://www.arla.co.uk/
Image: Chubarov Alexandr/Shutterstock
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