Landlords Legal Requirements
Landlords Legal Requirements
Getting the basic legal requirements from the outset is crucial for the compliance of your tenancy and the wellbeing of your tenants.
Gas safety
The gas safety (installation and use) regulations 1998, make it mandatory for landlords to have an annual check on all gas appliances and flues. This inspection must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A copy of the renewal must be provided to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection and a copy should also be given to the tenants with other relevant documents at the start of the tenancy.
Electrical safety
Electrical safety is governed by the electrical equipment (safety) closed bracket regulations 2016 updated to the electrical safety standards in the private rented sector (England) regulations 2020, this requires landlords to make sure electrical installations and appliances provided to tenants are safe at the start of the tenancy and maintained in a safe condition throughout. A qualified electrician must inspect and test the installation at least once every five years and the resulting electrical installation condition report (EICR) must be shared with the new tenants before they move in, any faults or recommendations should be addressed promptly to make sure ongoing safety and compliance.
Fire safety
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm (regulations) 2015, Landlords are obliged to install smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms which contain a fixed conduction appliance. Furniture and furnishings provided as part of the tenancy must meet specific fire-resistant standards.
EPC’s
An EPC rates a property’s energy efficiency, currently a property must have a minimum rating of E to be legally let, this will change in 20-30 to a minimum of C. An EPC is valid for 10 years.
We have a separate blog for Epc’s.
Right to rent checks
Introduced as part of the immigration act 2014, right to rent checks are a legal requirement for landlords in England. There is a very simple platform on the Governments website to carry these checks out.
Deposit protection
Your tenants deposit must be protected in one of the three government approved schemes, Landlords are required to provide tenants with prescribed information about where the deposit is protected including the terms and conditions of the scheme.
How to rent guide
The governments “how to rent guide” provides a checklist and details on each stage of the process for renting out of your property. Landlords must provide the latest version of the guide to their tenants as part of the prescribed information at the start of the tenancy and on renewal if there are any updates to the guide.
