As 2020 draws to a close, many of us are congratulating ourselves on simply making it through this difficult year, and so New Year’s resolutions may not be at the top of our minds! But if you’re a landlord who is looking forward to a better, more hopeful 2021, and you want to make some resolutions that will improve your life and the lives of your tenants, and take care of your property, here are 5 of our top suggestions.
1. Stay in touch with tenants
Communication will continue to be vitally important in 2021, especially as the long-term economic impacts of both Brexit and the pandemic begin to be felt. The UK will leave the EU on 31st December 2020, and the government’s furlough scheme will end in April – both of these events will likely affect your tenants’ income, and so it’s important to be as available as possible to discuss any problems they might be having and come to an agreement together.
2. Make quick repairs
A mark of a good landlord is how quickly they respond to requests for repairs, so when something breaks or needs replacing in your property, try to fix it as soon as possible. Not only will this keep your tenants happy, it will also protect your property and keep it in good condition for as long as possible. To make the whole process a breeze, make sure you have a list of reliable contacts to hand, so you can arrange repairs quickly.
3. Read up on legislation changes
Rental and property legislation is always changing, and there will probably be even more changes to come in the wake of Brexit in 2021. It’s a good idea, as a landlord, to stay on top of these changes and read about them as early as possible, so you can prepare. The last thing you want is a surprise!
4. Renovate and decorate
The restrictions of the pandemic may have put your plans for general upkeep, decoration or even large-scale renovation on hold. But next year, as the vaccine becomes more widely available, you may find that you have more freedom to make improvements to your rental property. If you can do this safely and within your budget, then this could be a great way to improve your property’s chances in the rental market in 2021.
5. Ask for help
If you have struggled this year and found yourself overwhelmed and unable to meet all your commitments as a landlord, it’s OK to ask for help. After all, you want your property to be taken care of and your tenants to be happy, and the best way to do this may be to bring in a professional. Gough Quarters offers a full portfolio management service – we can collect the rent, arrange maintenance and repairs, and deal with your tenants’ queries for you, so you can be reassured that your rental property is in good hands.
Are you a landlord with a property to rent in Bristol? Gough Quarters can help you advertise your property, find tenants and manage your portfolio for you. Contact us today to find out more.
Cover photo by Ava Sol on Unsplash.
