If you take a look at the property trade press over the last few months, they have certainly done their fair share of reporting on the subject of introducing a Property MOT.

Here is just a small selection we found recently if you fancy some light reading!

https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/call-property-mot-private-rented-sector-uk/ – Sep 2018

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/buytolet/article-6055981/MOT.html – Sep 2018

https://www.mortgageintroducer.com/landlord-property-mot-drive-standards/ – Nov 2018

https://thenegotiator.co.uk/the-property-mot/ – Jan 2019

https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/could-property-mots-be-the-next-logical-step-for-the-prs.html – Jan 2019

 

What is a Property MOT?

The idea, put forward by Dr Julie Rugg of York University, is that an MOT-style report would indicate whether a property is fit for letting and would ensure that all private rental properties would be required to meet a minimum standard. CEO of ARLA Propertymark, David Cox, has also since called for MOT reports to be introduced.

But Is it needed?

With the recent introduction of the Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018 legislation, is a Property MOT really necessary as well or is it just another restriction on private Landlords?

Obviously, all decent lettings agents and landlords would agree that tenants’ health and safety should be paramount and that their property should never be left to fall into a state of disrepair – not least because it ends up costing them time and money in the long run as well as leaving their tenants in an undesirable situation but another piece of legislation in an industry already saturated by legal requirements could feel like overkill?

On the other hand, being most people’s biggest asset, regular check up’s on your investment is no bad thing.

So what’s the solution?

Here at Eclipse Inventories, we can offer a happy medium – not tied up with legal red tape but a genuine ‘Mid-Term Property Health Check service to protect your investment and your tenants living conditions. Our Mid-Term reports can be carried out as often as you require and will tell you what’s happening at your property so you can stop a mole hill becoming a mountain.

Eclipse Inventories provide a Property Health Check service to help keep landlords legally compliant, aware of maintenance issues and tenanted properties safe.

Reports include:

  • Mid tenancy clerk visit & appraisal
  • Reporting of hazards, issues, misuse
  • Checks on décor, structure & safety
  • Feedback on compliance issues
  • Photographs of issues
  • Easy to read checklist style report

Contact us to book your Mid-Term Property Health Check today.