Why use an independent inventory company for private rentals?

You might be an active, hands on landlord, who is happy finding tenants, managing their property and dealing with everything that arises. Maybe you have time to do it, you enjoy it, or both!

That said, there are certain benefits that come with using an independent inventory company at the start and end of your tenancy.

Experience and Training

An independent company will usually come with years of industry experience. This experience is invaluable to Landlords, Tenants and Property Managers. Attention to detail is the norm, and the clerk carrying out the inventory will have carried out hundreds if not thousands of these reports.

Save time

Usually, an independent inventory company will save you time. With digital solutions that property surveyors use daily, the process is smooth and systemised.

Independence carries more weight in disputes

An inventory report compiled by either the Landlord, tenant or agent could be documented in favour of the party that created it. Deposit Schemes such as Safe Deposit Scotland know this, and independent reports therefore carry more weight should a dispute arise.

Confidence for agents, landlords and tenants

Independent inventory companies such as ourselves, provide reports that are created to the highest industry standard. Knowing the property has been represented in a non-biased and professional manner gives confidence to all parties involved.

Call us on 01224 636799 or email info@ensureservices.co.uk to arrange your independent inventory!

5 Ways To Improve Your EPC Rating and Comply With MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards )

On April 1st 2023 MEES will apply to ALL commercial and domestic leased properties. This will mean it will be unlawful to rent residential or commercial property with an EPC rating of ‘E’ or worse.

Now, I know that 2023 sounds really far away. But getting ready ahead of time is the smart choice as a landlord. Your property may need a lot of work, and leaving it until last minute could mean your cashflow will take a strong hit.

Here are 5 ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your property and increase your likelihood of a better rating:

1. Check your lights

Changing over to LED lighting frameworks can significantly decrease CO2 emissions and electricity costs.

2. Upgrade your heating system

A side effect of getting a new, condensing boiler is often that the newer model has a better carbon footprint, and as such helps improve your property’s EPC rating. Upgrading can improve your rating by 5-20 points depending on the age of the current system.

3. Insulate, insulate, insulate

Topping up your loft insulation is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your EPC rating. Going from no insulation to 270mm can improve the rating by 10 or 15 points, whilst even a top up on existing insulation can get 2-5 points worth of improvement in many cases. If you have cavity walls, make sure they are insulated. Insulating a cavity can improve the rating by 5-10 points on average. If you have a hot water cylinder, its also worth getting insulated as that can bump up your rating by a couple of points.

4. Glazing

Upgrading from single to double glazing will make several points difference on average – not as much as wall and loft insulation, but still a noticeable increase. However, If you already have double glazing, even if it is old, there is not going to be much improvement in the rating.

5. Seal open chimneys

Open fires and draughty chimneys actually make some difference to the EPC rating. If possible, block these up permanently, or install a closed heater in the opening to add a few further points of improvement.