• Surface mould and damp
Damp and mould caused by a lack of proper ventilation is one of the biggest issues suffered by rental properties. If warm air can’t escape, it settles on cool surfaces and forms condensation and if tenants aren’t vigilant about wiping away this moisture, mould can form.

Some common places to find mould are: the bottom of windows, on the ceiling above the shower, on walls behind furniture and anywhere washing is hung to dry. If it isn’t removed, the mould can spread and damage furniture and even tenants’ possessions, while the spores can present a real danger to tenants’ health.

• Water leaks
Leaks can result from several different issues, including loose joints in pipework and warn washers in taps. A slow leak behind fittings and tiles can cause a huge amount of damage before it’s noticed, and even more obvious leaks and stains might go unreported by tenants until there’s a significant problem. Worse still, if pipes are not properly lagged and the water in them is allowed to freeze, there is a chance they could burst in winter and flood the property.

• Heating/boiler breakdown
‍Even if a boiler is generally well maintained, a loss of pressure or an incorrectly set thermostat can cause it to break down, potentially leaving your tenants without heating and hot water.  

• Damage caused by tenants or their friends
While accidents can happen at any time, there’s also the risk that your tenants or their friends could deliberately damage the property or its contents. This is not usually covered under a standard landlord insurance policy, so make sure you also have ‘malicious damage’ cover so you aren’t left out of pocket.

• Burglary
Rented properties are at a much higher risk of burglary than owner-occupied homes, for two key reasons. Firstly, there are often far fewer security measures in place and, secondly, tenants are sometimes not quite so vigilant when it comes to closing and locking doors and windows.

• Storm damage
High winds, heavy rainfall and freezing conditions can all take their toll on a property, lifting tiles, penetrating gaps in brickwork and further weakening any loose fittings. So if rented properties aren’t in good condition ahead of the winter months, they may be particularly vulnerable, and tenants will not always be vigilant about protecting the property – for instance, by ensuring all windows and doors are properly shut and secured before a storm and drains are free of debris.

• Infestations
A lot of common pests, such as mice, rats and cockroaches, are attracted to areas where there’s a build-up of refuse, particularly food waste. So, if your tenants aren’t diligent about keeping the property clean and disposing of waste properly – and especially if there is any structural defect that allows vermin to enter – you may end up with an infestation. That is not only a risk to the tenants’ health, but it could also cause significant damage to the property and its contents, so must be dealt with as soon as possible.

• Fire damage
There are numerous potential sources of fire in rented homes, including unattended candles, overloaded extension leads, dirty hobs and ovens and careless cooking practices. Even a small fire that’s quickly contained can cause burn marks and smoke damage and could easily make the property uninhabitable until the damage is repaired.

• Damage from tradespeople
‍Whenever tradespeople are working in a property, there’s always a risk that they will accidentally cause some damage. That might be ripping or staining carpet, breaking a fitting, chipping paintwork – or something more structurally serious. All professional contractors should have their own insurance to cover the cost of any damage they cause, so check for this before they begin work.

• Uneven floors and ground
Over time, if properties aren’t maintained properly, trip hazards may develop – for instance, exterior paths may become worn and uneven, and interior carpets and threshold plates can become loose. If a tenant trips and falls, they may pursue you as the landlord for compensation, so it’s vital to ensure that your landlord insurance policy includes public liability insurance that will cover you in the case of a claim by your tenant or a visitor to the property.