Landlord Guide
Landlord Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Responsibilities
Being a landlord comes with important responsibilities to ensure the safety, well-being, and legal compliance of your rented properties. This guide will provide you with valuable information on various aspects of being a responsible and effective landlord.
Tenant Health & Safety
As a landlord, it is your duty to maintain a safe living environment for your tenants.
This includes:
- Making sure that properties are Fit for Human Habitation
- Safely installing and maintaining Gas and Electrical equipment.
- Providing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property to assess its energy efficiency.
Fire Safety:
Fire safety is of utmost importance to protect your tenants and property.
Your responsibilities include:
- Installing and regularly testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Adhering to fire safety regulations for properties in purpose-built blocks of flats or houses converted into flats.
Health and Safety Inspections:
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a system used by local councils to ensure the safety of rented properties.
You may face an HHSRS inspection if:
- Your tenants request an inspection.
- The council surveys local properties and identifies potential hazards in your property.
HHSRS Hazard Ratings:
During an inspection, hazards found in your property are scored as category 1 or 2, depending on the severity. You are required to take action on any enforcement notices issued by the council. You also have the right to appeal these notices.
If a serious hazard is identified, the council can issue an improvement notice, rectify the hazard themselves and bill you, or restrict the use of the property.
Financial & Legal Responsibilities
As a landlord, you have certain financial and legal obligations, including:
- Paying Income Tax on your rental income after deducting day-to-day running expenses
- Paying Class 2 National Insurance if renting out properties is considered running a business
- Informing HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about any rental income from occasional renting or short-term rental apps
- Seeking permission from your mortgage lender if you have a mortgage on the property you intend to rent out
- Protecting your tenant's deposit by placing it in a government-approved deposit protection scheme
- Checking your tenant's right to rent the property
- Registering your property with the local council licencing team
- Providing your tenants with a copy of the "How to Rent" checklist when they start renting from you
Repairs and Maintenance:
Keeping your property in good condition and are essential. Your responsibilities include:
- Maintaining the structure of the property
- Tackling mold issues should they arise
- Ensuring the safety of gas and electrical systems are in good condition and hold a current safety certificate
- Repairing basins, sinks, baths, and sanitary fittings
- Ensuring proper functioning of heating and hot water systems
- Taking responsibility for any damages caused during attempted repairs
If your property is significantly damaged, you are not obligated to rebuild or renovate it. However, you cannot charge your tenants for any repairs you choose to make.
Entering the Property:
As a landlord, you have the legal right to enter the rented property for inspections or repairs. You must give your tenants at least 24 hours' notice (except in emergencies), and they have the right to remain in the property during repairs.
Common Areas:
If you own a block of flats, you are generally responsible for repairing common areas, such as staircases. Councils can request landlords to fix common area issues or repair a tenant's flat damaged by another tenant.
Consequences of Inadequate Repairs:
Refusing to carry out necessary repairs can lead to legal consequences.
At Property Hub, we can take away much of the burden of responsibility off landlords' shoulders with our fully managed services, so you know that your tenants, your property and rental income are in the safest possible hands.
Arrange a no-obligation chat about your landlord goals with one of our lettings experts today.
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