Leaks, alarm malfunctions and access problems continue to be the most common issues faced by tenants and property managers but communal boiler breakdowns are now emerging as one of the fastest-growing problems across the UK rental sector.
That’s according to the latest internal data from Adiuvo, the provider of 24/7 out-of-hours support for property managers, which revealed a 95.9% surge in reports of boiler failures over the past year.
Adiuvo, which manages more than 60,000 issues annually – most of them outside of standard working hours – said the scale and variety of tenant problems reflect the growing pressures on both property managers and contractors.
London remains the epicentre of tenant complaints, accounting for more than a third (34.6%) of all reports nationally. The South East and the North West also ranked among the hardest-hit regions.
LEAKS DOMINATE THE LIST
Leaks were responsible for 17.6% of all issues logged, making them the number one tenant complaint.
Alarm system problems followed at 10%, while access issues (7.2%), lift failures (6.3%), communal doors (5.7%), electrical faults (5.6%) and drainage problems (4.6%) also featured prominently.
While these issues dominate the day-to-day workload of property managers, Adiuvo’s data highlights where the biggest shifts are happening.
Alongside the sharp rise in communal boiler failures, messaging-related issues increased by 42.1% and mains water supply problems rose by 22.4%.
RISING TENANT EXPECTATIONS
Colin Stokes, Founder and Managing Director of Adiuvo, says: “With the rise of convenience-first services, from on-demand television to online banking, tenants now expect the same level of speed and reliability when it comes to their homes.
“Issues such as leaks or alarms can be just as disruptive at 3am as they are at 3pm, and that’s why having trusted 24/7 support in place is essential.
“The scale of problems being reported is growing year on year, and each case requires investigation, coordination, and resolution.
“Our own workload reflects this increase, with more than 60,000 issues handled annually.
“Quick, professional responses are not only about fixing the immediate issue but also about protecting the reputation of property managers and maintaining tenant trust. Our data shows exactly what managers are up against, and with our round-the-clock service, we know first-hand how vital reliable support has become.”
