WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PROPERTY VISIT
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A PROPERTY VISIT
Guidance for Tenants on what to expect at a Property Visit
Part of our core Values at Southside is to keep everyone Safe and Happy, to help achieve this we carry out Routine Property Visits (RPVs).
Our routine visits are carried out by members of our team who have extensive training and use modern technology to carry out the reports to minimise disruption for you, we understand this is your home your needs are considered as much as a landlords when we set how we do these visits as ultimately they will help us:
- Proactively maintain the property to keep it in good order
- Identifying areas of concern such as weak extractor fans so we can take measures to prevent further damage
- Meeting you face to face and reviewing any maintenance issues, concerns and recommendations from you directly
- Ensuring the property is safe by checking fire detection is in place and working
- Showing landlords how their properties are being looked after by great tenants which would also be used for recording future references should you ever be moving home
When do RPVs take place:
The visits usually take place within 6-8 weeks from when you first move in, this is more of a settling in visit so we do encourage you to be home for the visit, we then aim to do visits every 4-5 months thereafter.
You will always receive a minimum of 48 hours notice in advance via email.
With the landlords permission and usually after the first year of tenancy and provided no areas of concern the frequency of the visits may reduce. On the other hand if there are areas of concern the visits may be more regular until the matter is resolved.
We will be as flexible as possible with arranging visits which generally take place Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm at a time that suits you. When your receive your notification it will advise which day this has been scheduled for and how to contact us should you have any specific requests. Please remember to call us if there is an issue on the day as our agents will be out and about and may not have access to email.
What happens at an RPV:
Depending on size of the property the average time for a visit is around 15 minutes, the larger the property and the more issues the longer it may take (usually no more than 30 minutes)
The majority of the visit would be visual however some areas may be tested e,g alarms, taps, extractor fans. Copies of any reports are available on request directly to you Property Manager.
Access to all rooms is required during the visit and the following are the main items to be checked:
- Keys are working and operational
- Visible safety hazards
- Issues with damp/mould/condensation
- Water ingress or leaks
- Ventilation
- Extractor fans
- Silicone seals
- Quality for furnishing/fixtures fittings
- General cleanliness
- Maintaining of any private areas e.g gardens
- Fire detection – smoke/heat/CO alarms
It is important that when maintenance occurs that you always report this to your Property Manager promptly and not wait for any routine visits.
Adhoc Visits
There may be times where you are notified for a visit that is not an RPV. The notification should advise what the visit is for however usually it would be for the types of visits listed below: (we would review the number of total visits including RPVs & adhoc visits to make sure you are not being disrupted e.g if your landlord wants to visit we may postpone the next RPV so not too close together)
- Your landlord may want to view the property
- Contractor visit
- Surveyor visit e.g landlord needs to remortgage
- Breach of tenancy report – anti social behaviour, suspect abandonment etc
If you have any questions about any visits scheduled please speak with your Property Manager directly.
