Property owners renting out their homes and apartments have been encouraged to ensure they are well maintained.

With the current fierce competition in the rental market it can be tempting for landlords to think that their home will be snapped up by tenants, even if it’s not in the best shape.

Lee Grandin, director at Landlord Mortgages, said that regular maintenance is a safeguard against it falling into disrepair.

Failing to keep track of issues that can arise with a property could lead to expensive repair bills, making inspection and regular work necessary.

Mr Grandin noted that the majority of landlords are aware of the need to present their home at its best to prospective tenants.

However, he warned that carrying out a lot of work on the detail of a home without achieving a rise in the rental income can be costly.

Landlords were recently encouraged to develop a good relationship with their tenants so that the people in the property will report any issues so they can be fixed before they develop into expensive problems.

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