Timely and regular repair checks can save thousands of pounds

Planning for maintenance is part and parcel of managing rented properties. Planning to revisit a property to redo repairs isn’t. 

It’s a time and cost inconvenience best avoided – especially against a backdrop of increasing repair costs. 

In the private rented sector, increasing costs of property maintenance are just another thing causing landlords ongoing headaches. In fact, analysis found that keeping a buy-to-let safely habitable, accounts for more than a fifth of a landlord’s rental income alone. 

Budgets are just as squeezed in the social housing sector with registered provider’s spending on repairs and maintenance increasing by 15% in response to the building safety crisis. 

This news was followed by the National Housing Federation telling social landlords that repair and maintenance prices soared over 2021 and 2022, with annual price increases peaking at 16.8% in April 2022. With inflation still stubbornly high, costs have not reduced.

Materials are more costly 

The cost of building materials rose by 4.7% in April 2023 compared to the same month the previous year, following an 8.7% increase in March. This trend is notably highlighted by the significant price jumps in specific materials, with screws and insulation experiencing the sharpest rises.  

Consequently, this surge is driving up maintenance costs across various trades, with plumbing and painting/decorating services both seeing significant increases over the year. 

The quality of the repair counts 

It’s easily established that the cost of keeping properties safe, well maintained and legally compliant is more expensive than ever, so it pays to adhere to the ‘do it once and do it right’ mantra. While the emphasis is, correctly, on getting the repair completed as soon as possible, sometimes the quality of the repair is overlooked – especially if the next emergency call is coming in and attention is diverted elsewhere. 

Prompt repair checks are financially prudent 

Substandard or incomplete work will quickly come back to haunt landlords. If left undetected,  shoddy workmanship can worsen and cause a greater inconvenience than the original issue. If a repair check is delayed, there is a risk any guarantee on the work, parts or appliances  may have lapsed, and the landlord will face a costly repeat process to complete the renovations a second time around. With labour and material costs at an all-time high – and trade availability scarce – this scenario is best avoided. 

If checked as soon as the maintenance work is complete, the matter of an unsatisfactory repair can be taken up with the trade almost immediately, with the cost to rectify the work born by the supplier. Prompt repair checks will also ensure satisfaction levels among tenants is higher and property compliance maintained. 

Repair checks can now be conducted on your behalf 

Many landlords will roll their eyes at the thought of yet another property visit to check on the standard of work, but sending a Viewber  representative to carry out repair checks on your behalf is cost effective and makes sense. Viewber has developed a repair check service, which sees a representative visit any nominated property in the UK to make a repair follow-up visit, noting the condition and execution of the repair, and recording the tenant’s comments, if they’re present. 

What does Viewber offer?

Our extensive network of vetted professionals provides property viewings, inspections, and other essential services, available seven days a week. This approach streamlines property management, making it more efficient and cost-effective. 

Our post-repair inspection service includes but is not limited to: 

• Repairs to the structure and exterior of a property, for example the walls, windows and external doors 

• Repairs to basins, sinks, baths, toilets and visible pipework 

• Repairs to fence panels and patios 

• Cosmetic repairs and redecoration 

• Repairs to general fixtures, fittings and kitchen cabinetry 

• Basic tests to ensure there is running water, free-running drains and an electricity supply 

• Removal of mould, mildew and limescale 

Book a live streamed repair check and or bespoke report 

Property managers who are especially keen to see the nature of a repair can order a live streamed repair inspection. During this service, a Viewber will host a video call from the property with the client able to direct the Viewber to a specific area, request they zoom in and also take still photos. Viewber also offers bespoke reports, and clients can be specific about the nature of the repair check at the time of booking. 

A Viewber repair check is a great way to ensure any maintenance work has been completed and to a satisfactory standard. The follow-up report will highlight any areas of concern, which allows property managers and landlords to take prompt action and recall trades without delay.  

Viewber offers innovative property support in the UK, with a focus on flexible, reliable services for estate agents, property managers, and landlords.