The Property Problems Tenants Miss — And How to Stay Ahead of Them

Discover common property problems tenants often miss and learn how to stay ahead with proactive maintenance, inspections, and smart communication strategies.

Are you looking to sidestep expensive property problems tenants never see coming?

Hidden property problems. They're every landlord and tenant's worst nightmare. Things like dodgy drains and slow leaks behind walls. These silent issues are always hiding somewhere... Waiting to spiral into expensive emergencies.

And here's the worst part.

Most tenants don't even realise they exist until it's too late.

You read that right. The most costly property problems slowly build over months or years before exploding into trouble. By then, repairing that weekend handyman job is likely to cost you serious money.

So what hidden property problems do tenants consistently miss? How can you spot them early? And what should you do about them?

Here's what's covered:

• 5 Hidden Property Problems Tenants Regularly Miss

• Why Drainage Issues Are SUCH A Big Deal

• Warning Signs You Can't Afford To Ignore

• Easy ways to stay ahead of property problems

5 Hidden Property Problems Tenants Regularly Miss

When tenants move into a new rental property they're usually only concerned with what they can see. Clean walls, carpets and appliances are always top of the list. And who could blame them? It's only natural you want your new pad to look shiny and fresh.

But what most tenants miss are the hidden problems.

The issues that aren't visible on day one of the tenancy. These are hiding behind walls, under floors and lurking in the darkness underground inside the drainage system.

Look at this stat from Go.Compare. Escape of water damage was found to be the most common home insurance claim of 2024. Accounting for nearly one third of all claims. And it all starts with hidden issues tenants don't pick up on during inspections.

Things like slow draining sinks don't seem like an urgent problem. And small damp patches easily get missed behind furniture. But these minor issues often come from serious hidden problems that have been allowed to get way worse than they needed to.

Examples of hidden problems tenants regularly miss are:

• Slow draining sinks and baths

• Small leaks under kitchen and bathroom sinks

• Small damp patches on walls or ceilings

• Cracked external drains

• Over-flowing guttering during heavy rain

These are just some of the common rental drainage issues a drain inspection camera can pick up. A drain survey with camera inspection spotchecks your drainage system for costly problems. Without any guessing. No need to dig around your home, they'll send a camera through your drains instead.

Why Drainage Issues Are SUCH A Big Deal

Drainage problems are a special kind of sneaky because there's no way to spot them during a regular viewing. Something as serious as a cracked underground pipe or tree roots growing into a drain won't be visible to the naked eye. Meaning tenants won't see it… And landlords might not either.

According to Drain Doctor "as much as 70% of blockages are caused by an accumulation of fat, oil and grease".

Mind blown? Try doing that math yourself. Everyday your tenants cook dinner, then wash their plates and pots in the kitchen sink. Pouring grease down the drain every day is slowly stacking up to a problem neither you or your tenants will be able to see. Until it's too late.

And that's the scary part. Drainage problems don't just leave you with slow draining water. They can lead to backups of sewage into your property. Water damage to walls and floors causing mold. Even subsidence in severe cases.

Under The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 landlords are responsible for keeping drains, pipes and plumbing in good repair. But tenants are responsible for using them appropriately.

If you find a drain blocked due to your tenant flushing inappropriate items down the toilet. Or letting grease build up in the kitchen sink… That bill may come directly out of their deposit.

That's exactly why hiring a drain survey with camera inspection can be so beneficial. A professional will survey your property with a drain inspection camera. Giving you a precise idea of what's going on in your drains with no disruptive excavations.

Warning Signs You Can't Afford To Ignore

The only way to prevent those nasty surprise bills is to spot the warning signs early. Here's the good news. Most plumbing problems will give you plenty of warning before they reach emergency levels.

Warning signs that something is potentially wrong with your property:

• Sinks, baths and showers that are draining slowly.

• Gurgling noises coming from drains or toilets.

• Foul smells coming from drains.

• Small damp patches on walls or floors.

• Pooling water near the home's foundation after rain.

While these may not seem like a big deal when seen separately. If your tenant starts to notice multiple issues. Take action. It's time to slow down the water flow.

Informing your landlord ASAP can save you from being held responsible for damage that was already occurring. And allows landlords to deal with problems before they turn into costly repairs.

Easy ways to stay ahead of property problems

Keeping on top of potential problems before they even start isn't hard. Anyone can do it. And you don't need to spend your time stressing about every drip and leak. Having a few simple best practice habits will ensure your tenancy runs smoothly. Whether you're renting or letting.

Tenants – just remember to:

• Take extensive photos of the property when you move in. Focus on drains, walls and ceilings. Covering yourself if your landlord tries to wiggle out of unfair deposit deductions.

• Only flush human waste and toilet paper. Period. Don't pour grease down the kitchen sink.

• Report problems ASAP. The sooner your landlord knows, the cheaper and easier it will be to fix.

• Ask for proactive inspections. Regular drain surveys and maintenance protects both parties.

Landlords – protect yourself by:

• Hiring a professional to conduct a drain survey with camera inspection between tenancies. Discover underground damage before it becomes a costly problem.

• Keep your records up to date. Consistent landlord maintenance records are your best friend when it comes to disputes. And are usually required for insurance purposes anyways.

• Educate your tenants. Hand out an info sheet detailing how your tenants should be using their drains. Preventing the majority of drainage blockages.

Simple right?

Nine times out of ten property damage disputes are caused by one thing. Nobody noticed early enough. Both landlords and tenants can save themselves money and stress by being proactive rather than reactive.

Wrapping this up

Property problems tenants don't spot early can be seriously costly. Drips and leaks behind walls, cracks in underground pipes and overflowing gutters. These silent issues are responsible for thousands of pounds of damage every year.

The main takeaways are:

• Don't forget to look behind the scenes. Some of the worst property damages are hidden from sight.

• Drainage problems are the number 1 enemy for landlords and tenants. Period.

• Get the professionals in with a drain inspection camera survey. Find out what you can't see.

• Catching problems early and reporting them ASAP is the best way to avoid big repair bills.

It's not rocket science staying ahead of potential problems. Anybody can do it. All it takes is a little awareness and don't assume everything is okay just because it looks like it is on the surface.