Beware of void periods this winter

According to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), the risk of property damage is heightened during winter void periods - especially during void periods.

Related topics:  Landlords
Warren Lewis
4th November 2015
winter wooly houses

The association is warning landlords to take extra care of their properties during void periods over the next few months.
With no-one living in a property for an extended period of time, a property will not be ventilated properly which could lead to damp, mould and other related problems.

Condensation is the predominant cause of damp and when windows are left unopened for an extended period it becomes more frequent and the chances of mould developing increases.

Moreover, the longer a property remains unoccupied and unchecked, the higher the chances are of drain blockages, pipe problems and clogged gutters.

During this time of the year, leaves are the main cause of blockages and clogs. The AIIC says it is also important to check pipes for cracks and leaks as these can escalate into more serious problems, especially if the water freezes.

Any of these issues could lead to more complex property damage in the long-term and could hinder a landlord's chances of reoccupying an empty property.

The AIIC is therefore urging landlords – especially those with empty properties – to make regular and thorough checks this winter.

Paragon Mortgages recently reported that the average void period dropped to under 2.6 weeks per annum. The AIIC says that despite average void periods falling, 2.6 weeks is still long enough for winter-related property problems to arise.

Patricia Barber, Chair of the AIIC, comments: “Winter weather can cause havoc with people's properties and now the clocks have gone back, we are advising landlords – particularly those with empty properties – to carry out thorough checks and regular inspections this winter in order to minimise the risk of serious property damage.”

As well as benefitting both the landlord and tenant when it comes to the return of deposits at the end of a tenancy, a detailed inventory carried out by an independent inventory clerk also allows a landlord to identify what needs repairing between contracts. This can be vital in ensuring the long-term condition of the rental property as well as helping to get it up to scratch for new tenants.”

More like this
Latest from Financial Reporter
Latest from Protection Reporter
CLOSE
Subscribe
to our newsletter

Join a community of over 20,000 landlords and property specialists and keep up-to-date with industry news and upcoming events via our newsletter.