We’ve recently taken over the management of a property that had been severely neglected. And not just by the tenants, but by the property manager. The owner had trusted their agency to do the job, but years passed without a single routine inspection. No reports were ever issued. No documentation could be found. And every time the owner asked for an update, they were ignored.
To make matters worse, the tenant’s lease had expired. No notice to leave had been issued. No lease renewal had been sent. The owner had received no communication, no guidance, and no clarity on what was happening with their investment. It was, quite honestly, a complete disaster.
And the reality is, this happens far too often. Too many landlords put their faith in the wrong company! Whether it’s because the agency doesn’t have up to date knowledge of current legislation or simply doesn’t care enough to do the job properly.
The result is always the same: owners are left exposed, unsupported, and forced to deal with the consequences of poor management.
This is exactly why routine inspections and consistent oversight are not optional, they’re essential. Routine inspections aren’t just a formality. They protect your property, your financial position, and your legal rights. They allow early detection of issues before they become expensive repairs. They ensure tenants are looking after the home and that the terms of the lease are being respected. They also create a solid paper trail, which becomes vital if anything goes wrong.
When a lease expires and no action is taken, the tenancy becomes periodic. That may suit some owners, but not when it happens without their knowledge. In this case, the owner had no idea they weren’t even in a fixed term lease anymore.
They had no leverage, no plan, and no idea what condition their property was in. All because their agency failed to communicate.
What many owners don’t realise is that some landlord insurance policies may not cover loss of rent or tenant damage if the tenancy is not under a fixed term lease. Insurance providers often require evidence of proactive management, including lease agreements, routine inspections, and prompt communication before a claim will even be considered. If your policy is compromised due to mismanagement, the financial risk is entirely yours.
So, what happens from here?
In this situation, we’ve stepped in, reviewed the entire tenancy file, made immediate contact with the tenant, and started the process of getting everything back on track.
We’re arranging an inspection, confirming the lease status, and working with the owner to make an informed decision on whether to renew, issue a notice to leave, or renegotiate terms.
It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable, and it may even be fixable.
If you’re unsure what your agency is doing, ask them. If you don’t get a clear answer, that in itself is the answer. Your investment deserves better than silence. It deserves management that’s proactive, transparent, and accountable.
Exclusively Managed are here to help, whether that’s to clean up the mess or to make sure it never happens again.
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