How do I recover dilapidations from a tenant?

As a landlord, you will have to take on many responsibilities and ensure that the property and its conditions are of an appropriate standard for the tenant. This can include a number of things, such as repairing any damages that can have an impact on both the structure and exterior of the property (usually those shared areas), ensuring any installations that control the supply of water, gas, and electricity, and a number of other important things. However, your tenants also have a duty of their own to keep the property in good condition, and if they fail to do so, you could look to enforce those works or recover costs from the tenant. These works are often called dilapidations.

There are several circumstances where the tenant will be responsible for the repair and upkeep of a property, and if this has not been done in accordance with the tenancy agreement, then the landlord could create a schedule of dilapidations to formally require the work to be done or to cost the work should the landlord be left to do it at the tenant’s expense. This essentially outlines any areas of the property that the tenant has damaged or neglected to fix, as well as the necessary steps to fix the problem. This schedule can be issued once the tenancy has been completed or if the landlord believes it is necessary (e.g., if the condition is deteriorating through poor maintenance by the tenant) . If the tenant fails to comply with the schedule for any reason, then you may be able to claim for any finances they owe.

If you are the owner of a property that is being leased out to a tenant and are looking to recover any dilapidations that have occurred, then it can be quite a difficult time for any landlord, as it can create a lot of stress and aggravation. Here at Roger Hannah & Co., we understand the stress and the impact on your ability to re-let the property, but with our expert help, we will be able to guide you throughout the process and ensure that the situation is dealt with in an efficient manner.

It always helps to speak to someone who has experience in situations like this, so for more information on how we can help you, simply contact us today at 0161 817 3399 or see our Lease Advisory Page.