his is probably the most important article I will write, which I hope readers will use as a checklist. Pass it on to both tenants and owners before any handover or takeover occurs, so that both sides know and clearly understand the expectations and obligations each other has. This article applies equally to both sides, either moving in or out of a property – a villa, apartment or even a commercial property or office – at any time.
Landlords from hell and unwanted tenants are the subject of ongoing raging debate across the globe. Some owners or landlords will hand over a property with problems, knowing that despite verbal promises, little will be done to fix them. The worst, though, is a tenant who takes over a property in good condition and proceeds through lack of consideration or respect to damage and gradually destroy the property, or cause dilapidations so extensive that they require considerable financial input to rectify.
The importance of record keeping
The ease of digital technology today places almost every person in a position to record the exact condition and state of a property and surrounding circumstances, to preserve and where appropriate share the information in the form of photographs, video recordings and, where necessary, a value-added audio commentary and description. Proper preparation of a property prior to handover prevents a wide array of dynamics 60 AH APRIL 2018
Interior photograph top left: courtesy of Springfield Royal Ambassador
A phrase we hear all too often today is, “The property was in a shocking condition when it was handed over!” No matter which side of the property handover or takeover equation one is on, there is a moral, legal and financial responsibility to ensure the best possible condition of a property at the point of handover/takeover by both parties involved.