Vanessa Warwick is a long-running landlord, property investor and founder of Property Tribes<\/a>. We discussed due diligence and managing difficult tenants.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.idealflatmate.co.uk\/landlord-hq\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2018\/12\/Screenshot-2018-12-29-at-11.46.55-AM.png\")
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In our third edition of the\u00a0#AskTheLandlord<\/a>\u00a0campaign, we speak to the property industry celebrity Vanessa Warwick, who kindly answered the questions sent into ideal flatmate by our users this month.<\/p>\n Vanessa Warwick is a long-running landlord, property investor and founder of Property Tribes<\/a>. We discussed due diligence and managing difficult tenants.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nDo you take housing benefit tenants? Why do lots of landlords refuse them?<\/strong><\/h1>\nA lot of landlords refuse tenants in receipt of benefits for a number of reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n I actually had a problem with a tenant NOT taking drugs! \u00a0Unknown to me, and not evidenced via referencing or meeting him, the tenant had mental health problems and was taking medication. \u00a0One Christmas, he stopped taking medication and became very depressed, and disappeared from the property leaving all his personal belongings, his phone, his car keys. \u00a0He did not pay the rent. When I found out he had gone missing (he also failed to turn up for work), I contacted the police and they were very helpful and reported back to me that he had done this before and had a history of mental health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n The sad outcome was that he was found in a distressed state in London six weeks later, and was sectioned.<\/span><\/p>\n When he finally returned, we discussed his tenancy, and it was agreed that he should return to his parents house as he could not maintain the tenancy. \u00a0My husband helped him pack up all is possessions and drove him there.<\/span><\/p>\n It was a very sad story all round.<\/span><\/p>\n I would say lack of communication by both tenants and lettings agents. \u00a0I can only understand and assist with a situation if I am communicated with. \u00a0I am a reasonable person, and if, for instance, a tenant gets into difficulty with paying their rent, provided they communicate with me, I will work with them to help them stay in the property and get themselves back on track.<\/span><\/p>\n If someone shuts down all communication, then it forces me to act in a manner that I would prefer not to act in, as I am left in the dark and therefore have to consider more formal ways of resolving a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n Landlords have a legal obligation to deal with repairs in a timely manner. \u00a0My properties are all fully managed by lettings agents and I expect them to deal with repairs and maintenance promptly. \u00a0I expect them to respond to the tenant within 24 hours, and, if an emergency, such as no hot water, get a tradesman out asap. If a less urgent repair, I expect them to get it booked in within a few days.<\/span><\/p>\n All landlords have to authorise repairs when using an agent, and I endeavour to respond via return to authorise the repair.<\/span><\/p>\n I personally have not had any complaints, as I have always acted in a timely manner or ensured that the agent has.<\/span><\/p>\n I would like all tenants to undertake due diligence on prospective landlords, so that they can avoid renting from a rogue or criminal landlord.<\/span><\/p>\n Put the landlord’s name into google and see what comes up. \u00a0Do they have any criminal convictions? How do they comment on property groups and forums? \u00a0Do they talk about evicting tenants for asking for a repair, or refer to them in an inappropriate manner?<\/span><\/p>\n You can also ask to speak to another of their tenants, ask what professional bodies they are a member of, ask if the property is available long term, ask how long they have been a landlord \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n No ethical landlord would mind this. \u00a0If the landlord does take exception, then that would be a red flag to avoid renting from them!<\/span><\/p>\n |