Landlords have more than enough to worry about
In addition to letting their property, private owners usually have jobs, families and, heaven forbid, hobbies. Do you know how much time it takes to look after a rental property? On average, it amounts to 70 hours a year. Owners therefore deal with rental-related matters somewhere between all their other responsibilities. They have to ensure the flat is kept in good condition, communicate proactively with tenants, keep track of payments and deal with any technical faults. If something goes wrong, they must be able to quickly find a reliable tradesperson and arrange repairs. On top of this come administrative tasks such as renewing agreements, keeping accounts and preparing annual statements of utilities.
Common bad habits of landlords
Although landlords try to do their job as well as possible, situations commonly arise where certain matters are not dealt with optimally or in time. The most frequent mistakes include:
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They do not monitor rent payments on time – they often remember to check payments only when the delay has become significant.
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They fail to extend or terminate the lease agreement within the agreed time limit – which can lead to disputes with tenants.
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They do not address tenants' requests promptly – causing dissatisfaction and strained relationships.
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There are gaps between outgoing and incoming tenants – empty flats mean lost income.
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Incorrect, or no, annual statements of utilities - which is unfair and can lead to disputes with tenants or fines.
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They communicate unprofessionally - when disagreements arise with tenants, it is easy to let emotions take over.
Tenants have more rights than owners
One issue owners complain about is the legal imbalance between them and tenants. Tenants are regarded by the law as the weaker party and are therefore afforded greater protection. In practice, this means that evicting non-paying tenants can take months. In the meantime, the owner continues to pay the mortgage and utilities, while waiting for the court's decision.
Beyond these extreme cases, there are more common situations that can be just as unpleasant. What if a tenant neglects routine maintenance, resulting in more serious damage? What if they refuse to pay for damage they caused? What if they stop communicating?
Common bad habits of tenants
Even when a tenant pays on time and takes good care of the flat, problems are not unusual. The most common tenant failings include:
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They do not pay rent on time – and the owner then has to repeatedly chase payment.
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They do not report the need for repairs – leading to further damage to the flat.
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They are uncooperative and unwilling – for example when arranging repairs or viewings.
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They neglect routine maintenance - leading to damage to the flat or its furnishings.
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They leave the flat without a proper handover – leaving the landlord to deal with discrepancies.
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They do not pay the final rent – relying on the security deposit to cover their debts.
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They leave the flat damaged and dirty – resulting in further costs for repairs and cleaning.
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They do not repaint – leaving the flat in a worse condition than when they took it over.
The solution: you do not have to deal with it alone
How can you avoid these problems? Prevention is key – clearly defined rules, consistent monitoring and a carefully drafted agreement. And if you want to avoid unnecessary stress, you can entrust your property management to professionals. When you have toothache, you do not pull the tooth out yourself – you turn to an expert. Letting property is no different – you do not have to do it yourself. A professional property manager deals with all the problems for you. For tenants, it is also more pleasant to deal with a company as a client than to face a stressed flat owner who has no time to deal with their requests.
More money, fewer worries
Moreover, a professionally managed property earns more than one managed independently by its owner. At Bohemian Estates, we select vetted tenants, ensure rent is collected on time, carry out regular flat inspections, prepare annual statements of utilities and handle all communication with tenants. If a problem arises, we address it immediately. Property owners can genuinely enjoy the benefits of passive income without having to worry about administration or conflict resolution every day.
