Scotland's fastest growing letting agents

Scotland's fastest growing letting agents Clear Lets this week announced the introduction of an Independent Housing Inspector.

Glasgow, United Kingdom (prHWY.com) November 13, 2010 - Scotland's fastest growing letting agents Clear Lets this week announced the introduction of an Independent Housing Inspector.

The firm, which has offices in Glasgow's South Side, Fife and Aberdeen, is believed to be one of the first in Scotland to set up such a service.

The idea behind the Independent Housing Inspector, who has no affiliation to either the tenant or landlord, is to make the whole property to rent process run in a smoother fashion. The benefit to the landlord is that it will ensure his property is well-maintained while, when it comes to getting the deposit back, tenants should be on sturdier ground.

Myra Blaik, Operations Director, Clear Lets Scotland Ltd said she'd witnessed many a landlord and tenant arguing over the definition of 'wear and tear' during her lengthy career offering property to rent.

"Take a red wine stain on a rug for instance," she said. "For the landlord that could mean having to purchase a replacement item whereas for the tenant it's just a case of the stain being washed out the rug.

"Everyone's perception is different and that's the beauty of an independent inspections agency. Like a referee in a boxing match - and sometimes it used to feel like that - or a football game, the inspector's decision is final."

Letting agents Clear Lets, which has established four offices throughout Scotland within a period of just 22 months, claims both tenants wishing to rent property and landlords are happy with the new scheme.

On the day they move into the property the tenant is handed an indepth inspection report and encouraged to fill in anything untoward with the property ie a broken banister in the stair, a black mark again a bedroom wall etc. They are then given seven days before having to return the report.

"Often when you rent property you don't spot something about a place until you've been living in it," added Myra, "Hence the tenant being encouraged to hand in the report after a week. As a tenant, knowing this report exists, you're encouraged to be less 'careless' with the property. 'At the end of the tenancy the inspector comes in and decides whether or not the flat is in the condition stated in the report, bearing in mind reasonable wear and tear.

"It's a scheme which has enormous benefits for everyone, including the letting agent who, under the old uk property system, tended to be landed with the referee's role!

Fife-based Housing Inspector Jenny Dingwall laughingly describes herself as 'Switzerland.'

"That's because I'm neutral," she said. "I'm on no particular side. The inspections aren't really about housework. It's more to do with checking that the tenant isn't building a second home in the back garden!"

Issues that have arisen for Jenny include spotting a picture which was hanging slightly lopsided on a wall. "From my first inspection I concluded the picture had been moved," she said. "I looked behind it and sure enough, it was hiding a hole in the wall! I'll check the make of appliances to ensure they haven't been switched and I even spot pin holes. That may sound slightly anal but I just believe in doing my job properly."

Jenny carries out a condition report on most properties which results in her taking around 100 photographs and giving a disc of them for the tenant's files. She then returns to the rented property every three months to update her file. When the tenant moves out they compare the state of the property to the original photographs. Nine times out of ten everything goes very smoothly.

"I enjoy my job. There are plenty of landlords out there who don't particularly care about their property to rent. I like working for a professional UK property agency like Clear Lets and giving a good service for both tenants and landlords.

Further information on the Independent Housing Inspection scheme is available from Clear Lets letting agents offices.

Notes for Editors

Clear Lets are based in the South Side of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline. The company deal with an average 600 properties a month throughout their four offices www.clearlets.com

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Tag Words: property letting scotland

Categories: Real Estate

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