When you decide to let out your rental property you will encounter numerous legal responsibilities that you may not have encountered before, this article will go some way to explaining what some of your basic responsibilities are.
Deposit Protection
When the tenant pays their deposit prior to the start of the tenancy, you have a legal responsibility to register it in a deposit protection scheme. Once you have registered your deposit within your chosen scheme, you must provide the tenant with the details of the scheme and proof that you have protected the deposit in the appropriate time frame. You will need to be able to show evidence that you have served this information to the tenant.
Making sure the property is in a suitable condition to live in
This is high on the list of landlord responsibilities, making sure the property is in good condition and safe for the tenants to live in is essential, there are potentially serious consequences if an accident were to occur due to a landlord's negligence.
Electrics and plumbing
Before a new tenant moves into a property it is good practice to ensure the electrics and plumbing is in good working order, basic checks should be carried out, such as turning on the boiler, making sure the heating and hot water is working as it should do.
You will need to get a gas safety check carried out on the property annually, the certificate should be shown to the tenants, and you should retain written proof that the tenants have received a copy.
All electrical appliances that are provided in the property, such as washing machines, fridge freezers, cookers etc, should be in good condition and in safe working order.
PAT testing must be carried out on all appliances and electrical items over one year old.
You are also required to have an electrical installation condition report carried out every five years, a copy of this certificate must be given to the tenants prior to the beginning of the tenancy or after renewal, you should retain written proof that the tenants have received a copy.
Licensing
Some properties will need a license in order to be let. The license you require will depend on a number of factors, such as, where your property is located, how many bedrooms there are and the number of levels to name a few. It is essential to check with your local council to find out if you need a license and if so which kind.
As the landlord you are responsible to make sure you have the appropriate license for your property, failure to get the correct license can result in a financial penalty.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Being the landlord, you are legally responsible to ensure the correct smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your property, You will need to ensure they are in safe working order when the beginning of the tenancy, you will also be responsible for getting the alarms checked, the frequency of these checks will depend on the type of property and system installed.
Energy Performance Certificate
All rental properties in the United Kingdom must have an EPC, these last for ten years, at the end of the ten-year period you are required to get a new report carried out, In order to rent a property in the UK the property must currently be rated E or above, in 2025 this is due to change to C or above.
