Landlords have certain duties and requirements that must be abided by, to ensure your property complies with lawful practice and important safety regulations. Here we have outlined some important responsibilities that Landlords must fulfill. Our Property Managers are on hand to ensure you're compliant as a Landlord.
Before and throughout the duration of a tenancy, Landlords are required to ensure every room of a property is fit for human habitation including any common areas. The Housing Health and Safety Rating lists 29 hazards, and failure to identify and rectify gives the tenants the right to take legal action against the Landlord for noncompliance.
2. Gas and Electric
Gas Safety Tests are compulsory tests that should be carried out every year. In order to get a Gas Safety Certificate, a Gas Safety registered engineer must service the appliances. An Electrical Installation Condition Report must also be carried out every 5 years to assess the internal electrics and ensures all fixed electrical equipment is safe to use.
3. Carbon Dioxide and Smoke Alarms
Having smoke alarms on every floor of the property is a legal requirement and any room with a solid fuel burner e.g. a coal fire or wood-burning stove should be fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm. Before a new tenant moves into a property, checks must be made to ensure the alarms are in full working order.
4. Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires disease is a form of pneumonia caused by bacteria commonly found in freshwater environments and can cause health problems when it grows in plumbing, hot water tanks, showerheads and taps. To avoid the growth of the Legionella bacteria, the property water systems need regular maintenance.
5. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC Review tells you how energy efficient your property is and is required if you're looking to sell your property. An EPC is valid for 10 years and will not need to be replaced until this time has elapsed. As of April 2020, Landlords are no longer allowed to let a property if it's EPC rating is at F and G. Any listed property is exempt from this certificate.
6. Furniture
All furniture supplied by a Landlord must be compliant with Fire Safety Regulations, this regulation applies to both any new and second-hand furniture within the property. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 states that combustible furniture must be compliant and correctly labelled.
7. Deposit
By law, any deposit taken by a Landlord must be put into an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The scheme was introduced by the UK Government in 1988 to ensure that deposits are protected and any disputes are resolved quickly and impartially.
8. Maintenance
Landlords have the responsibility of making sure any reported maintenance or repairs are fixed in a timely manner. Some issues include leaks, boiler problems and any faulty appliances you have supplied. Small maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs or damage caused by the tenant, is up to the tenant to fix.
These are just a few rules and regulations that fall within the responsibility of the Landlord. Landlords who choose our Fully Managed Service, can be confident that Ryder & Dutton will ensure that all rules and regulations are covered to make your Landlord experience run smoothly.If you would like more details on how Ryder & Dutton can help you as a Landlord, contact our Property Management Team today, or find out more about ourFully Managed Service.
