Property Condition Checklist

As a buy to let landlord, you should make sure that you check your property before buying. A survey will reveal any major lapses in the condition of your house, but there can be numerous smaller problems that you should aim to rectify before you rent your investment property out. It is always worth remembering that the better condition the property is in, the higher rental yield you should recoup. This property condition checklist is provided to help you in the rental process:

External areas outside the house

-          Roof: The roof should be completely watertight. There should be no defects such as loose tiles.

-          Guttering: All pipes should be secured to walls, gutters should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they remain free from blockages

-          Garden: Clear weeds and vegetation, cut back trees or shrubs, make sure any fencing or walls are in good order, entrances and exits should be secure, sheds should either be free from hazards or securely locked

-          Waste disposal: Bins should be provided

Internal areas within the house

-          Doors: All external doors should have 5-levered dead locks with a latch if possible, a bell should be fitted and doors should open and close easily

-          Internal locks: Should not be necessary, unless it is an HMO. The bathroom and toilet should be able to be locked from inside. Any interior glass should be fitted with a safety film.

-          Staircases: Two-way light switches should be provided in stairwells

-          Damp: Property should be completely free from dampness, mould, peeling paper, or condensation (although a certain level can be expected.)

-          Plaster: Should be secure and not chipped or crumbling

Décor

-          Surfaces: cleaned and well-presented

-          Paint: Free from chips or markings

-          Wallpaper: free from defects or mould, not peeling

-          General: House should be clean with basic standards high. Rooms should be well-ventilated

Heating system

-          Boilers: less than ten years old

-          Thermostat

-          Off-switch known to tenants

-          Safety certificates

Electricity system

-          Safety report: Provide safety report

-          Wiring: No wiring should be enclosed

-          Sockets: Sockets should be provided in all rooms except bathroom

Furnishings

-          Furniture: Must comply with Furniture (Fire) (Safety) regulations

-          Minimum: Shower, fridge, cooker, plumbing to install washing machine, curtains. Safety certificate for cooker should be provided, and if freestanding the cooker should be chained to the wall

-          Tiling: Should be provided to a minimum of 300mm above sink height

Fire safety

-          Fire doors: Half hour fire doors must comply with Building standard 476 Part 22.

-          Fire blanket: fitted in kitchen, perhaps install extinguisher.

-          Smoke alarms: Smoke alarms

Insulation

-          Loft: Should have minimum 100mm Rock Wool insulation laid

-          Tanks: Should be foam lagged or cylinder jacketed