Statutory & Legal Requirements

It is very important you read and understand your legal and statutory responsibilities as a Landlord.

Permission to Let

Permission should be sought from your Mortgage Company. If the property is leasehold then permission may be required from the head lessee.

Insurance

You must check that your property and its contents are covered by your Insurance Company when the property is let or provide additional/new cover.

Health & Safety

Landlords must maintain their properties to provide a safe and healthy environment as dictated by the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and enforced by the Local Authority. See www.communities.gov/ukhhsrs.

A Landlords Gas Safety Certificate is compulsory for all rental properties. This is an annual safety check and test of gas appliances. We can arrange this for you at a cost of £85.00

All properties should be fitted with a working and tested smoke alarm and with at least one per floor.

Any furniture or furnishing provided by the Landlord must conform to the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire & Safety) Regulations 1988. Items like sofas must be made of fire resistant material and have a fire safety label.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

It is now a requirement to have an EPC undertaken before a property is advertised for rental and a contract signed so the tenant is aware of the properties energy rating. It is valid for 10 years and Graded A to G, A being the most efficient. We can arrange an EPC to be carried out for £85.00.

Tenants Deposit Scheme (TDS) – To protect Tenants Deposits.

It is now a legal requirement that either the Landlord or the Landlord’s agent must keep the tenants deposit secure under a legally authorised tenants deposit scheme.

DPS – Deposit Protection Service

www.depositprotection.com FREE run by Government body.

We cannot pass a deposit to a Landlord if we collect it on their behalf but must deposit it. Please note if you or we do not protect the tenants deposit then a court will never grant a possession order if it involves a dispute and will fine the Landlord three times the deposit amount.

Tax

If you live abroad then we will be obliged to deduct and hold 20% of the gross rental income until you are issued with a FICO number (an exemption certificate allowing you to collect rent gross) obtained by filling in Form NRL1 issued from the Inland Revenue.

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