So you are a landlord who is looking to rent out your property. But, your property also has a garden. Providing a garden with your property can be a real plus for many tenants, however, some may worry about how much time they need to put in to keep the garden in tip-top condition. As a landlord, you want to make sure that the garden is kept well, so in the circumstance your tenants move out, there is less work that you need to do to get your property ready again for the rental market.

It has been recommended to take away the grass.

Garden lawns require a lot of attention, from weeding to keeping the grass even in dry, summer months when lawns can become dry and patchy. But, the grass needs to be replaced.

• Why not replace the lawn with wide plant beds? To keep the garden looking tidy, pretty and yet simple all year round, plant some evergreen, perennials, bulbs and native border shrubs.
• Have a look at creating gravel paths, at a recommendation of four to eight feet wide. Gravel paths will help to stop weeds growing and would help water drain faster to help prevent possible flooding in the garden. For a better look, why not add some pavers or flagstones?
• Create some seating areas that are around the paths. Why not transform previously unused areas within the garden into gravelled land for benches or tables. Top tip! Use vinegar products or flame weeders to keep these areas free of weeds.

How can you take away the bore of weeding?

Allow your tenants to spend less time weeding, and more time enjoying the garden! Perennial plants are lovely to look at but need a fair bit of maintenance so have a look into replacing these with shrubs. Shrubs are a lot easier to plant through a weed-suppressing membrane, which would prevent weeds further. Having a shrub bed can also further minimise the time needed to maintain as shrub beds don’t require regular watering, unlike perennial beds. After planting the shrubs, just add a bark or gravel layer on top to finish off the look.

Have you thought about technology within the garden?

It might be a good idea to think about integrating technology in the garden. Sprinkler systems have the initial cost, of course, however, it would take away the need for your tenants to water various plants that you choose to have in the garden. The tenants can sit back and relax in the garden while the sprinklers are doing the most regular upkeep needed for the garden.

We’re almost mid-way through 2019 already, amid so much uncertainty regarding the whole Brexit saga. But don’t let that be a reason to overlook all the new letting legislation coming into effect this year. Tenants Fees Ban, Homes (Fit for Human Habitation) Act and Client Money Protection Scheme are all coming into play at some point this year.

Tenants Fee Ban

Coming into force as of 1st June 2019, aiming to ensure that tenants will be able to see what a property will cost them in the advertised rent without any hidden charges. It will also deposits for properties will be capped at a maximum of five weeks’ rent, six weeks’ for tenancy properties that cost more than £50,000 a year. Agents and landlords will also be banned from charging fees for anything other than the following:

• Contract changes
• Council and utilities tax
• Changes to the tenancy
• Issues where the tenant is at fault

This new legislation is going to impact landlords and agents, meaning they will no longer be able to pass on things such as inventories, credit checks and tenant referencing with new tenants. Causing problems as all of these processes are time-consuming and need considerable manpower to complete, thus generating a cost.

Most of us during our lives will encounter damp in our abode, and let’s face it, no one wants to have to deal with it. We find ourselves either procrastinating about getting it assessed, or are panic-stricken that the walls are going to fall down! But who is responsible when it comes to rental properties, the tenant or the landlord?

So there are several types of damp that can cause headaches for tenants and landlords alike. These are condensation, rising damp and penetrating damp. Older proper properties are fairly prone to experience any of these problems. If a damp scenario arises it needs to be investigated by having a damp survey carried out, this will establish the cause of the problem and what needs to be done to eradicate it. Damp often has a habit of leading to more serious problems, such as black mould or sometimes even wet and dry rot which alarmingly can have devastating effects to the structure of the property.

Does it seem like the question regarding damp and where the responsibility lies still hasn’t been answered? Probably because it hasn’t…let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The confusion when it comes to damp usually is due to people not knowing the differences. So, from a legal perspective, if the cause of the issue is due to rising or penetrating damp, then that is down to the landlord to get sorted…music to the ears for all tenants! However, there is always a however right? Condensation usually causes the biggest disputes when it comes to damp in rental properties. This is because it is very difficult to pinpoint who or what is the cause of the problem. It can often arise by the occupant’s lifestyle, examples being insufficient ventilation or not keeping the property at consistently warm temperatures.

Has this dealt with the damp debate? The Landlords and Tenants Act 1985 is the legislation that is referred to if necessary. PJJS Management Services, however, is a specialist letting agent in Maidstone, with over 40 years of residential letting experience. Their aim is to offer tenants bespoke, hands-on approach, ensuring tenants don’t have to worry about tedious topics such as the dreaded damp.