Landlord Responsibilities
As a Landlord there are a number of duties and requirements that you must abide by to ensure your property complies with safety regulations and lawful practices. We have broken down just some of the responsibilities a Landlord must adhere to, and outlined how our Property Managers can assist you in ensuring all rules and regulations and red tape are covered.
Human Fitness For Habitation Act
Landlords are required by law to ensure properties, including common areas, are fit for human habitation at the beginning and throughout the duration of the tenancy. There are 29 Hazards listed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating (HHSRS). Failure to identify and subsequently rectify these hazards, gives tenants the right to take direct legal action against the Landlord for noncompliance.
Gas and Electric
As a Landlord, you must arrange for a compulsory test to prove that gas appliances and supply points in the property are safe. Gas Safety Certificates must be renewed every 12 months by a Gas Safety registered engineer who will check the flue and appliances. You must also ensure The Electrical Installation Condition Report to assess internal electrics in the property is carried out every 5 years. This certifies all fixed electrical equipment is in safe working order and complies with the Electrical Equipment Regulations 1994.
Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
A smoke alarm is a legal requirement and should be fitted on every floor where there is a room used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm where solid fuel is burnt eg. Wood, coal or biomass. Checks must be made by the Landlord or lettings agent to make sure that each alarm is in working order on the first day of the tenancy.
Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires disease is a form of pneumonia caused by inhalation of droplets of water containing legionella bacteria. Landlords are responsible for flushing out the water system before letting their property, ensuring cold water tanks have a tight lid to stop debris from getting into the system, and setting control parameters to ensure water is stored at the correct temperature.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC is a compulsory review of how energy efficient a property is. The EPC lasts for 10 years, but new legislation states that properties can now only be let on a new term or renewed on a fixed term if the property has an EPC rating of E or better. As of April 2020, Landlords are not allowed to let properties rated at F and G. Although listed Buildings are exempt.
Furniture
All furniture and furnishings supplied by the Landlord must comply with Fire Safety Regulations. This applies to both new and second-hand furniture. The Safety Regulations Furnishing (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 states that upholstered seating (including chairs, settees, sofa beds and headboards), children’s furniture, mattresses and padded bed bases, scatter cushions and pillows all must be compliant and labelled.
Deposit
By law, any Assured Short Hold Tenancies require Landlords to put the Tenant's deposit in an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This was introduced by the UK Government to ensure that deposits are protected and any disputes are resolved quickly, impartially and inexpensively. There are 3 government-approved schemes and Manning Stainton is a member of The Dispute Service Ltd.
Maintenance
As a Landlord, you have a responsibility to repair any maintenance issues including leaks and heating etc, within a timely manner once they have been reported. However, minor maintenance including changing light bulbs, disposing of rubbish and damage caused by the tenant lies with 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 Manning Stainton will look after all the red tape and ensure that all rules and regulations are covered to make your Landlord experience run smoothly.If you would like more details on how Manning Stainton can help you as a Landlord contact our Property Management Team today on 0113 203 4161, or find out more about our fully managed service here.
