Being a landlord in Torbay and Teignbridge isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’ve got a terraced house in Shiphay or Newton Abbot or a flat in Dawlish, managing a rental property comes with its fair share of headaches. And let’s be honest, most of us learn the hard way.
The good news? You don’t have to make the same mistakes everyone else does. After years of working with landlords across Torbay and Teignbridge, we’ve spotted the same issues popping up time and time again. So let’s run through the seven biggest property management mistakes local landlords keep making, and more importantly, how you can avoid them.
1. Rushing Through Tenant Screening
We get it. You’ve got an empty property, you’re losing money every day it sits vacant, and suddenly that first applicant seems like a dream come true. But here’s the thing, skipping proper tenant checks is one of the fastest ways to land yourself in hot water.
Poor tenant screening can lead to missed rent payments, property damage, or worse. And chasing a problem tenant through the courts? That’s months of stress and expense you really don’t need.
How to fix it:
Take your time. Always verify employment, check references from previous landlords, and run a proper credit check. If a prospective tenant refuses to go through the screening process, that’s a red flag right there. A little patience upfront can save you a world of hassle down the line.
2. Relying on Verbal Agreements
“We shook hands on it” might work down the pub, but it’s a recipe for disaster in property management. First-time landlords in Torbay and Teignbridge often underestimate how much paperwork is involved in letting a property, until something goes wrong.
Without a written lease, you’ve got no leg to stand on when disputes arise. And trust us, disputes will arise.
How to fix it:
Always use a written, signed tenancy agreement. Make sure it covers the basics: start and end dates, rent amount and payment terms, deposit details, pet policies, smoking rules, maintenance responsibilities, and what happens if either party wants to make changes.
Before anyone signs, walk through the agreement together. It might feel a bit formal, but it sets clear expectations from day one.
3. Ignoring Maintenance Requests
This one’s a biggie. We’ve seen landlords sit on maintenance requests for weeks, sometimes months, thinking they’ll save a few quid. Spoiler alert: they don’t.
Small problems become big problems fast. That minor leak under the sink? Leave it long enough and you’re looking at water damage, mould, and a repair bill that makes your eyes water.
Plus, landlords have a legal obligation to keep properties in a livable condition. Torbay Council and Teignbridge District Council don’t mess about when it comes to enforcement. Ignore your responsibilities and you could be facing formal action, financial penalties, or the council stepping in to carry out works themselves.
How to fix it:
Respond to maintenance requests promptly. Set up a simple system, even just a dedicated email address, so tenants can report issues easily. And when something needs fixing, use licensed, insured contractors. It’s worth paying a bit more for quality work that won’t need redoing six months later.
4. Skipping Regular Property Inspections
Out of sight, out of mind? Not when it comes to rental properties.
Without regular inspections, you might not find out about that broken extractor fan until there’s black mould creeping up the bathroom walls. Or discover your tenant’s “small dog” is actually three cats and a ferret.
How to fix it:
Schedule inspections at least quarterly, and give your tenants proper notice beforehand (that’s a legal requirement). Use these visits to check smoke detectors, look over the heating system, and spot any maintenance issues before they escalate.
Regular inspections also help build a decent relationship with your tenants. It shows you care about the property, which often encourages them to care about it too.
5. Not Enforcing Lease Terms
Here’s a scenario we see all the time: the lease says no pets, but the tenant asks nicely, and the landlord thinks, “Ah, what’s the harm in one small dog?”
The harm is this: once you let one rule slide, you’ve set a precedent. Other tenants notice. Before you know it, everyone’s pushing boundaries, and you’ve lost control of your own property.
How to fix it:
Be consistent. If a rule is in the lease, enforce it. That doesn’t mean being unreasonable: if circumstances change and you’re happy to allow something, update the lease formally. But don’t make verbal exceptions that undermine your own agreements.
Think long-term. Keeping standards consistent protects your property’s condition and makes your life much easier when it’s time to find new tenants.
6. Underestimating Running Costs
Plenty of landlords in Torbay and Newton Abbot and across Teignbridge have been caught out by unexpected costs. That boiler replacement you didn’t budget for. The void period between tenants. The insurance premium that crept up without you noticing.
How to fix it:
Create an annual budget that accounts for everything: mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, routine maintenance, and a healthy contingency fund for surprises. A good rule of thumb is to budget for at least one month’s vacancy per year.
And don’t skimp on preventative maintenance. Servicing your boiler annually costs a fraction of replacing it in an emergency.
7. Falling Behind on Regulations
Landlord regulations change more often than the British weather, and keeping up isn’t optional. From electrical safety checks to energy performance certificates, there’s a lot to stay on top of: and Torbay Council and Teignbridge District Council are increasingly active in enforcement.
Penalties can be steep. HMO violations, for instance, can land you with fines up to £30,000. That’s not pocket change.
How to fix it:
Stay informed. Subscribe to updates from your local council, join landlord associations, or work with a letting agent Torbay and Teignbridge landlords trust to handle compliance on your behalf.
Key requirements to keep on your radar include:
- Gas Safety Certificates (annual)
- Electrical Installation Condition Reports (every 5 years)
- Energy Performance Certificates (minimum rating E, with changes coming)
- Deposit protection (within 30 days)
- Right to Rent checks
If staying compliant feels overwhelming, that’s where professional property management Torbay and Newton Abbot landlords rely on can really earn its keep.
The Bottom Line
Look, nobody becomes a landlord because they love paperwork and boiler servicing. But getting the basics right makes everything easier: fewer disputes, fewer nasty surprises, and better tenants who stick around longer.
If you’re a landlord in Torbay or Teignbridge and any of this sounds familiar, don’t beat yourself up. These mistakes are incredibly common. The important thing is recognising them and making changes before they cost you time, money, or your sanity.
Need a hand with property management in Torbay and Teignbridge? Whether you’re after fully managed lettings or just want someone to handle the compliance headaches, we’re always happy to chat. Pop over to our website or give us a call: we’re local, we know the area, and we’ve seen it all.
Here’s to stress-free landlording.