41% of tenants create 'issues' - and leave £210 of repairs when they go

A survey suggests that 40 per cent of tenants have ‘issues’ with their agents or landlords and when they check out they leave a property requiring an average of £210 to be spent on repairs and maintenance. 

Interiors company Hillarys conducted the study of 2,302 Britons aged 18 or over, all of which stated that they own at least one property that they currently let.

Initially all respondents were asked how they felt about letting their property, to which the majority - 62 per cent - stated it was an ideal situation as the rent covered the monthly mortgage payments. 

Twenty five per cent of all respondents felt nervous about the situation as they had limited control over how the tenants treat their home. The remaining 13 per cent stated that they regret letting their property.

When asked if they had ever experienced issues with their tenants, over two fifths admitted that ‘they have. The top five were:

- Tenants getting in touch too often about minor or imagined issues (58%);

- Tenants making modifications in the home without gaining permission (41%);

- Neighbours complaining about tenants (26%);

- Tenants causing damage and expecting landlord to cover costs (23%);

- Tenants not paying rent on time (18%).

Landlords who thought their tenants contacted them too frequently with minor or non-existent issues were asked how many times a month they heard from their tenants. The average was found to be four times per month, or once a week.

Wanting to find out more, landlords were asked how much on average the repairs, general maintenance and cleaning required once a tenant moves out cost them. The average answer was £210.