In our experience Property Owners are often unaware or don’t understand what is required when getting their Property ready to hand over to a new tenant.

There are many things owners need to think about when getting a property ready to hand over to tenants and here are just a few:

Ensure that you are completing a thorough ‘Entry Condition Report’ of your property including a good description of all fixtures and fittings, for example, colour, type, and condition of tiles curtain’s appliances such as stoves, ovens, rangehoods, dishwashers, air-conditioners, light fittings and so on. The more descriptive you are the better you are protecting yourself and your property. It is also advisable to take as many photos as possible ensuring that these are date and time stamped.

Provide a full set of all keys to the property including all locks to each and every door and window and one access set for each additional tenant listed on the lease.

It’s best practice to think about having a professional cleaner go right through your property and clean it from head to toe, keeping a copy of the receipt to provide to your incoming tenants to show that you have presented the property in a clean and professional state. This is also recommended for maintenance of lawns and gardens. Keep all receipts of works done for future reference if required

Maintenance ensures that this is all up-to-date and that the property is safe and in a good state of repair to handover to your new tenants. Ensure your Property is compliant with all legislation including but not limited to smoke alarms, blind chords, safety switches, plumbing, electrical, balconies, railings, windows, and locks.

Insurance is a must for you and your property make sure that you are adequately covered including but not limited to public liability, malicious damage and rent loss you don’t want to find yourself on the rare occasion of ending up out of pocket due to a defaulting tenant.

Be extremely clear with your tenant – make sure that everybody understands the terms and conditions of the lease and their obligations. Keep the lines of communication open and be sure that nothing is left to assumption – ensure everybody is fully aware of the boundaries and the rules.

Here is some further information from the Residential Tenancies Authority for landlords to assist when getting their property tenant ready RTA Information for Owners & Managers when Renting Property

These are just a few of our many recommendations when looking to lease your property out to tenants – for more information on what you need to do please contact Fran or Joe from The Dream Team today.