The Ten Commandments For New Property Landlords

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With the Rental Property Market in the South East of the UK positively booming, those with second properties or a selection of small properties are finding more instant and appealing ways to advertise their listings. Huge, interactive comparison websites in the property market now offer free listings for both buying and rental, even seeing estate agents around the country utilising this tool to its full potential. The House Shop are a sleek, modern, online sales and rental site, that can provide the largest, comprehensive list of house types throughout the UK for both sales, purchase and lettings.
Whether a fully-fledged letting agency or a private landlord, compulsory Health and Safety certification for rental contracts to protect both the occupier and the landlord. The letting of one’s property doesn’t need to be stressful, and the list below outlines the compulsory paperwork and checks needed by Landlords to proceed with listing to let out their home.

Health & Safety – The Absolute Basics for Prospective Landlords (November 2016)

1. A potential landlord must make sure all electrical and gas appliances and equipment are safely installed and regularly maintained.
2. All UK tenants are advised to use the government’s protected rental deposit scheme, in the event of Landlord Insolvency the Tenant may still receive their full deposit back at the end of occupancy.
3. Comply with any local council Health and Safety regulations on outside work, material or structural concerns (removal of decaying asbestos, uneven stairs etc), or if your tenant asks for an inspection.
4. It is compulsory for all UK landlords provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the tenant.
5. You.gov.uk, RLA and https://www.informedlandlords.com/legal-requirements-for-landlords/ are all fantastic sources of the legal requirements of health and safety information.

Gas Safety: A Landlord must:

• Provide an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue.
• ALL gas equipment must be installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Give a copy of the gas safety check record to the tenant before the move in

Electrical Safety: A Landlord Must:

• Provide a smoke alarm on each storey of a property and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a usable open fire or wood burning device.
• In the event of an emergency, there must be escape routes from the property.
• Ensure inclusive furniture and furnishings that they supply are as fire retardant as possible.
• Fire alarms and extinguishers – if the property is a multiple household occupancy.

Repairs: A UK Landlord Is Responsible For The Repair And Upkeep Of The Following:

• Structure and Exterior appearance
• Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings
• All heating and hot water
• All gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation
• All electrical wiring
• All damage caused by attempting repairs
• All pipes and drains

UK landlords have a pile of paperwork to get their legal, health and safety and insurance cover up to scratch. This, ideally, needs to be completed well in advance to listing with any online property portals such as the House Shop. Whether a Private Landlord or using a Property Management Agency, the British government and Residential Landlord Association can help. They provide all the up to date, comprehensive information.