Comments on: How Much I’ve Spent On Maintenance Costs Over The Years As A landlord

By: Vincent

Vincent — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:30:45 +0000

Hi all, does anyone have experience in property maintenance companies?

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:35:39 +0000

Argh, the joys of being a landlord. My ex and I split several years ago, when the economic downturn hit, and were unable to sell our modest 2 bed property. He’s now living abroad and I’m stuck with maintaining it. It’s all managed by an agent, but God the whole ordeal of owning and maintaining a rented property is certainly not for the feint hearted. It has cost me a fortune, from replacing shower heads at a cost of £165 + VAT, to fixing a brand new washing machine twice a year and yes, redecorating etc etc. Plumbers, plasterers, electricians and roofers – I’ve been through them all (!). I would gladly give the keys back to the mortgage lender, but it’s not that easy.
Going to be putting it on the market again. Fingers tightly damn crossed the f***ing place sells…I need my santity (and my salary) back!

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:36:00 +0000

Unfortunately, many people do not estimate how much it costs to run a property – there needs to be quite a big margin between your income and expenses to ensure you make a profit.

By: GillsMan

GillsMan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:44:40 +0000

I became a landlord in April. Tragically my boiler had a problem, but also the radiators were all sludged up as well, so the whole lot had to be cleaned, a valve replaced, etc. Cost me £750 (British Gas tried to charge me over £1000 before I got someone else in). I only make a small profit every month, so that cost me several months worth of profit. The only good thing is I now don’t owe the tax man any money at the end of the year.

By: Aunty_P

Aunty_P — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:49:59 +0000

Sabine, your expectations on redecoration seem unrealistic to say the least. Landlords have enough mandatory costs to pay out for as it is. I notice you’re quoting German contracts. This is a website for UK landlords as far as I know. BTW, all my tenants are very happy and tend to stay for a very long time because I keep the properties well maintained and problems fixed immediately.

I’m glad you’re not one of my tenants!

By: John

John — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:32:47 +0000

Sabrine,

I think re-decorating a rented property every two years is excessive. I have a great relationship with all my tenants – they know when they phone me with a problem, it gets sorted as soon as possible. In terms of decorating, as long as they inform me of what they intend to do in terms of decorating/painting etc – before hand – I don’t have any problem with that – sometimes I’ve even chipped in for the materials.

You have to remember though that with costs such as, Landlord Insurance, Tenancy Deposit Scheme Costs, Inventories, Gas & Electric Checks and Certificates, Boiler and Applicance Repairs etc etc – You have a lot of outgoings as a Landlord – not all the rent goes into your pocket!

If you’ve personally had a bad experience with a Landlord, than that’s unfortunate. But there are a lot of Landlords out there that really look after their tenants. At the end of the day, Landlords are running a business, not a social care programme…

By: Sabine

Sabine — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:20:42 +0000

it’s the planet where landlords undestand that it is in their best interest to make tenants feel like they are living in their home, not in some kind of temporary acommodation which can be treated as such. I know, this is the norm in the UK, but with things changing the way they are here (homeownership is no longer a given right), it is time that landlords adjust and no longer see us as just someone who pays their mortgage for nothing in return. In Germany the rental contract states that a rented property has to be re-decorated every 2 years unless both parties agree that it isn’t necessary at this time.

By: John Tsigarides

John Tsigarides — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:59:42 +0000

I work for my father’s property company and we have about 10 rented out properties. In relation to boiler issues I have found British Gas’s Homecare 100 agreement, excellent for around 135 pounds per year, you get a landlords safety certificate (every year) and unlimited call outs for boiler and control problems including all parts and labour. It all saves the hassel of you doing anything, as the tenant can ring them directly.

You can get higher levels of cover, e.g. including radiators etc, but as with anything the higher the cover – the higher the cost!

Cheers,

John

By: twattybollocks

twattybollocks — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:47:04 +0000

Sabine,

it must be nice on the planet you are on! Which one is that?

By: The Landlord

The Landlord — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:19:47 +0000

Sabine,
That’s like saying if you get a MOT every year, your car will never breakdown. Get real! The electrics were/are safe and in full working order. Some times shit happens.

A decorating budget? The tenants weren’t my children, you realise that, right?