Landlords top 4 must do's to reduce deposit disputes on rental property

1. Welcome your tenant to their new home
 
Go round with your new tenant to show them how everything works and to complete an inventory that they fully agree with.
Showing your tenants how everything works reduces the chances of breakages and they have no excuses.
 
Use a comprehensive inventory that lists everything in your property, prompts you to make an accurate description of at least, what it is, the style, its colour, material made of and any unique properties or gadgetry. Photograhic evidence can be a great help. If everything is detailed correctly and agreed by both you and your tenants, it's difficult to argue.
 
2. Regularly visit your rental property
 
Within a month of your new tenant moving in, pop back to inspect your property and meet with your tenant again. If things look good agree inspections every other month or even quarterly, if you are a little worried keep your inspections up monthly. These inspections should be valuable for both you and your tenant to communicate needs and requirements. Most disputes ocurr because of poor communication!
 
If you have discussed any needs, requirements or changes, confirm these in writing to your tenant. Email is a good way to confirm as you can easily file and find them, great proof if needed!
 
3. Conduct a handback interview at the end of the tenancy
 
When your tenant is moving on inspect your property with them, going through the original inventory and any agreed changes they or you made during their stay.
 
If there is damage agree what work needs to be done, confirm in writing/email
 
4. Make all charges transparent
 
Having agreed the work to be done, let your tenant know what the cost could be (the estimate), in writing. After the work is completed show them the final bill and if you personally spent time, confirm how much by email/writing.
 
Sounds simple. I hope you find it so!