Current Tenants
Useful numbers etc.
Property Manager – David Paterson
My Property Manager, David Paterson, is the first point of contact for any problems.
- Text/phone: 07743 274434
- Email: david@robertnamproperties.com
Landlord – Robert Nam
If you need to contact me directly for something, I prefer you to text or email me. Please refrain from phoning unless it is an emergency.
- Text/phone: 07785 378746
Tradesmen
In a dire emergency, you may contact the following tradesmen directly, but always tell David or myself as well.
| Electrician (e.g. lights, sockets) | John Francis | 07920 575412 |
| Burglar alarms | Andrew Grattage | 07889 247933 |
| Gas, heating, boilers and plumbing | Dave Fry | 07970 149880 |
Other useful numbers
| National Gas Emergency Service | For Gas leaks | 0800 111 999 |
| For Beeston: Broxtowe Borough Council | pest control/refuse collection – ask for environmental health Council Tax |
0115 9177 777 |
| For Dunkirk or Lenton: Nottingham City Council | pest control/refuse collection – ask for environmental health Council Tax Parking Permits |
0115 9155 555 |
Inspections
I visit each house during October, when everyone has settled in. I hope to meet everyone then. This is to answer any queries, check the inventory, inspect any work done over the previous year and see if any new work needs doing.
Notes on contract
- Gardening – please remember you need to do this between you.
- Pets – need permission to keep any on the property.
- Bonds – these are taken whilst signing the contract, or soon after by bank transfer. Those existing tenants signing a new contract for the following year top up the bond to the new amount. Bonds are held by The Deposit Protection Service. The bond is repayable within one month after the end of the tenancy, unless there is a good reason. Any deductions are itemised. Common deductions include:
- Rent arrears (this may be from your fellow tenants);
- House not left in clean and tidy condition – I expect all rooms to be vacuumed and dusted (including doorframes, kitchen cupboards and skirting boards), lawns mown and weeding done (a carpet vacs is available for cleaning up spillages);
- Missing keys – this includes window keys or unique keys such as for patio doors;
- Touching up paint/décor spoilt by Blu-tack or Sellotape from posters;
- Light bulbs not replaced.
Common issues
Locked Out
Spare sets of keys are kept in Nottingham. You will be advised of where you can collect them, but if the spares are not returned, there will be a charge. There will be a charge if this generates a callout.
Vacuum cleaners
The most common reason why one doesn’t work is that someone has not changed the bag. Please check before using. There will be a charge for any vacuum cleaner that needs servicing for this reason.
Condensation
In the older houses during the cooler months, moisture can appear beneath windows or on exposed walls in the rooms such as chimney breasts and in corners. The rooms need airing regularly by opening the window: even twenty minutes a day will make a difference (and will also dissipate unpleasant odours). Re-arranging the furniture in your room every few months can also help. A common problem is when damp clothes are left drying on radiators. The moisture in the air will settle on the coldest areas. Dehumidifiers are available in all houses for when opening windows is not practical. Always open the window during or after having a shower or bath. If any mold appears, make sure it is wiped off promptly with a cloth and bleach, otherwise it may spread. Vents have been inserted in various rooms: please do not close them apart from in exceptional circumstances. Use your extractor fans in the bathrooms. If there is a significant mold problem you must let me know.
Blocked Drains
One common cause for blocked drains is putting fat down the sink. Please would you take care to drain fat into plastic cartons or a can or a cup before throwing away in with general rubbish.
Decoration
If a room gets worn, it will eventually be redecorated. This is approximately every 5 years. If a student wants to repaint his or her room for fashion reasons, then he or she must pay the costs and advise me in case it’s an outrageous colour or design, for the sake of future tenants. If the décor is worn but not enough for me to redecorate yet, I might reimburse the costs of the paint and brushes.
Please note I need to be advised of any nails for shelves or pictures. Pipes and electric cables are to be avoided!
Communication
Very often I find I am answering the same queries from more than 1 member of a household more than once. This indicates that individual tenants are not passing on information. This is especially a problem in the larger houses. What I suggest is that in each house you have some sort of noticeboard for messages, where you can leave any letters from me to tenants and print any emails from me too. Details of when tradesmen or myself are going to call can also be put there. Most houses already have one in place.
Duty of care
If there is a problem which may lead to further damage you need to inform me as I don’t carry out monthly inspections. Examples of this are damp not due to condensation (e.g. guttering problem), a leaking roof, or a leaking shower cubicle.
Otherwise, I hope you enjoy your stay. My philosophy is to have rental houses to the standards similar to what the average student might have at home. To achieve that goal, it also means that tenants need to give that same care that they would when at home.
