If you have only just become a landlord, or perhaps are thinking about letting out your property, you might be a bit uncertain about the dos and don’ts involved.
A good tenancy agreement is an essential in all cases to make sure both you and your tenant are properly protected; don’t be tempted to rent out your house on the basis of a handshake.
However, there are a few other essential pieces of information that you should be aware of, in particular what your obligations are once you hand the property over to a tenant. This guide provides an overview of the landlord’s main responsibilities.
Gas appliances and electrical equipment
Even if you rent the property out as unfurnished, as a landlord you have certain obligations to fulfil when it comes to gas and electricity.
The rules regarding electrical appliances are rather more vague; they simply state that the landlord must have taken steps to ensure that all equipment is in good working order and is safe. If your tenant sustains an injury as a result of an unsafe piece of electrical equipment, you could find yourself in court so it is a good idea to take a more robust approach even though the law does not specifically state what this might be.
Measures you might want to take include:
- Arranging for a periodic inspection of your electrical appliances by a qualified electrician
- Providing instructions for use to tenants
- Checking that all cables, wiring and fuses are in good working order and correct before renting the property out
- Ensuring that all equipment provided is not tatty and in good condition
The rules about gas appliances are rather more stringent.
Every 12 months the gas appliances must be checked by a CORGI (or equivalent) qualified and registered installer. This check must include the ventilation too. At the end of each inspection a certificate will be issued, and a copy of this must be given to the tenant.
There are also certain restrictions on the use of gas appliances in certain rooms, such as the bedroom, so getting professional advice is often a good idea.
Repairs
Once you hand the keys over, your responsibilities for the upkeep of the property do not end.
As the landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that the property is kept in a fit state for human habitation at all times and that it is safe. This includes the checking, maintenance and repair of both electrical and gas appliances (see above) as well as plumbing fittings, water and the general structure. If the property was supplied on a furnished basis, these rules also extend to the furniture which was provided.
Furniture and soft furnishings
You are not obliged to provide the property on a furnished basis but many landlords opt to do so either because it is easier to find a tenant or because they can command a higher rent.
However, if you choose this option you have obligations which must be fulfilled.
Certain items of furniture must be fire resistant; these include any kind of upholstered furniture such as beds, sofas and armchairs, nursery furniture and any garden furniture which is being utilised for indoor use. Antique furniture is excluded from these requirements.
In addition, you have a general duty to ensure that all furniture – antique or otherwise – which is supplied is safe and suitable for use. You must ensure that any risks which are not immediately obvious are pointed out to the tenant.
Insurance
As well as making sure the tenant is safe and well looked-after, you should also consider what insurance you need to take out as a landlord.
Although buildings and contents insurance should be taken out, you will probably find that your existing policy will not provide cover if you rent out your home. You will have to take out a new policy specifically designed for landlords.
Many landlord insurance policies are in fact a packaged deal which is rather handy. Double check what is included but you will probably find that liability and legal expenses are automatically part of the deal, which means you are covered if your tenant has an accident or hurts himself. Compensation for loss of rent if the tenant doesn’t pay up is sometimes also included – a very useful addition.
Conclusion
Once you have been renting out property for a while, your responsibilities and obligations will become almost second nature. However, when you are starting out, it can be a good idea to get help from professionals to make sure there is nothing that you have accidentally overlooked. Tollers Milton Keynes offers a tailored legal service to landlords, which can verify that you are meeting all of your responsibilities and obligations.
Image credits: paulgorman and Rev Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL)
