Articles by Steve Barnes

Complete guide to inventory for landlords

A rental property inventory is a detailed document that records the contents and condition of a property, both inside and out. The inventory should be completed before a tenant moves in, when they move-out, and can also be used during periodic inspections throughout the tenancy. NRLA partner, Total Landlord, outlines the complete guide to a comprehensive inventory.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 01/09/2024
Complete guide to inventory for landlords

The complete guide to tenant referencing for landlords

Thorough tenant referencing is one of the most critical steps you can take as a landlord to protect your property and maximise the chances of having a successful tenancy. Evidence of a robust reference check is also a requirement of most landlord insurance policies. NRLA insurance partner, Total Landlord, has to put together this comprehensive guide.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 28/06/2024
The complete guide to tenant referencing for landlords

8 reasons why you need landlord insurance

As a landlord it is vital that you take out residential landlord property insurance, as normal home insurance policies may not be valid. If you let to tenants without dedicated landlord insurance, you could find yourself out of pocket if your property is left uninhabitable by tenants. In this guide, NRLA insurance partner, Total Landlord, explains some of the key reasons why you need landlord insurance, and how to choose the right landlord insurance to meet your needs.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 03/05/2024
8 reasons why you need landlord insurance

The complete guide to preparing a property to let for first-time landlords

This comprehensive guide by the NRLA’s landlord insurance partner, Total Landlord, aims to help first-time landlords navigate their way through the crucial steps of successfully preparing a property to let. It covers the key legal obligations and provides strategies for success, from how to decorate your rental property, to what to include in a welcome pack.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 27/02/2024
The complete guide to preparing a property to let for first-time landlords

The complete guide to preventing burst pipes in your rental property

Even though we've left the coldest months behind us, many households still worry about rising heating bills, and some tenants may be tempted to use the heating more sporadically. But although they may think they’re saving money by switching the heating on and off, this can actually increase the risk of burst pipes. And the last thing you and your tenants want is the inconvenience and expense of frozen or burst pipes as temperatures fall. Steve Barnes from NRLA partner, Total Landlord, tells us more.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 20/03/2024
The complete guide to preventing burst pipes in your rental property

The complete guide to protecting your property from electrical hazards

NRLA insurance partner Total Landlord explain more about the importance of protecting your property from electrical hazards, electrical safety regulations and what landlords can do to reduce the risk of electrical hazards in the home.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 08/09/2023
The complete guide to protecting your property from electrical hazards

The complete guide to protecting your property from break-ins

Steve Barnes, Associate Director at Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, explains seven ways landlords can protect properties from break-ins.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 06/07/2023
The complete guide to protecting your property from break-ins

The complete guide to a landlord’s essential responsibilities

In this guide, Total Landlord have collated their expert knowledge to explain what you need to do to meet your obligations at each stage of the ‘landlord lifecycle’ - from getting the right insurance and preparing your property to protecting the deposit and vacating the property at the end of the tenancy.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 27/04/2023
The complete guide to a landlord’s essential responsibilities

The complete guide to spring property maintenance for landlords

As the harsh winter weather subsides and spring begins to bloom, it’s the perfect time to check your property for any damage that may have resulted from the damp, cold and frosty winter weather. Spring is a great opportunity for landlords looking to inspect their property as the weather not only becomes milder, but days also get longer, making it easier to check on your property’s health. NRLA Partner, Total Landlord gives us some pointers.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 08/03/2023
The complete guide to spring property maintenance for landlords

The complete guide to protecting your property from claims in 2023

Many of the issues landlords experience can be prevented through a combination of regular maintenance, periodic inspections, and clear communication with tenants. But unfortunately, no matter how well prepared you are, the unexpected can still happen. As insurance partner to the NRLA, Total Landlord, has written several guides for NRLA members, which are packed with advice to help landlords understand more about the most common causes of claims and how to prevent incidents occurring in the first place.

Partners and Suppliers Steve Barnes 20/12/2022
The complete guide to protecting your property from claims in 2023