Articles by Steve Barnes
Top 5 landlord insurance pitfalls: What to watch out for in 2025
Landlords often face challenges that could be minimised with proactive maintenance, regular inspections, and effective tenant communication. But even the most prepared property owners can encounter unforeseen incidents. But what are the biggest risks landlords are likely to face when it comes to their rental properties? Total Landlord provide an essential snapshot of risks faced by property owners with the five most common and costly claims.
7 steps to buy-to-let success
In this article, NRLA insurance partner, Total Landlord, explores the seven essential steps that will guide you towards becoming a better landlord and running a successful rental business.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
