At last summer is here, so what are your plans?
Have you booked an exciting getaway in an exotic location? Or is the aim to kick back and relax on home turf?
Whatever you’ve lined up, it’s worth taking note of the common concerns that can crop up in rented accommodation during the summer.
If there’s a garden at your rental property:
- Check your contract to ensure you understand what’s expected of you in terms of maintenance. Commonly, tenants are expected to carry out general tasks such as watering and mowing – and in summer, you’ll most likely need to do both quite regularly.
- If you have children, paddling pools and trampolines might seem like the ultimate summer garden accessories – just bear in mind that at the end of the tenancy, you’ll be expected to return the garden in the same state as it was when you moved in. So if the grass under a trampoline or paddling pool dies off (as it often does), you’ll need to rectify it.
- Keen gardeners should get permission from the landlord before undertaking any major planting or landscaping projects. Planting in pots may be preferable, so you can take any plants that you lovingly tend to with you when you move on.
- If you’re socialising outside, be mindful of the neighbours. Don’t play loud music into the early hours of the morning or let things get too lively.
Other issues
- Burglars prowl about in the summer months looking for easy entry to properties, so be vigilant if you open windows or doors in hot weather.
- Always lock up carefully before you go out and be particularly cautious if you’re going away on holiday. Check and check again to ensure everything is safe and secure. The last thing you want is to return from a brilliant holiday to find you’ve had intruders.
- If you’re going away for an extended period, let your landlord know. Some contracts specify that you notify your landlord if you’re going to be away for more than 14 days. Even if you’re not legally required to do so, it’s good to do it as a courtesy. It also means that your landlord can avoid bothering you with non-urgent queries when you’re on holiday.