Landlord Responsibilites
There are a number of requirements and duties you must fulfill as a Landlord to assure your property is compliant with safety regulations and lawful practice. Here we have broken down some of the responsibilities Landlords must comply with and outlined how our Property Managers can assist you with these responsibilities.
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Mortimers
Landlord Responsibilities
1. Human Fitness For Habitation Act
By law, Landlords are required to ensure all areas of the property are fit for human habitation, before 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.
2. Gas and Electric
Landlords must arrange for a Gas Safety test to prove that the gas appliances in the property are safe. Gas Safety Certificates must be renewed every year by a registered engineer. Electrical Installation Condition Reports must also be carried out to assess the internal wiring and electrics of the property every 5 years.
3. Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are required by law to be on every floor of your property, and every room that burns solid fuel e.g. coal fire, wood-burning stove, should have a carbon monoxide alarm. Before a new tenant enters the property, checks must be made to ensure each alarm is in working order.
4. Legionnaires Disease
Legionella bacteria are commonly found in freshwater environments but can become a health problem when they grow in plumbing systems, hot water tanks, showerheads and taps. Legionella can cause a serious form of pneumonia and lung inflammation. Legionnaires disease can be avoided by regular maintenance of water systems.
5. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC is an overall review of how energy efficient your property is and is required if you want to let out or sell your property. An EPC is valid for 10 years and does not need replacing until this time period has lapsed. As of April 2020, Landlords are no longer allowed to let out properties rated at F or below. All listed buildings are exempt.
6. Furniture
Any and all supplied furniture must be compliant with Fire Safety Regulations and applies to both new and secondhand furniture. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 ensures that upholstery components and composites used for furniture supplied in the UK meet specified ignition resistance levels.
7. Deposit
Assured Shorthold Tenancies require Landlords to put the Tenant's deposit in an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme, this is a legal requirement. Introduced by the UK Government in 1988, this ensures that deposits are protected and any disputes are resolved quickly, impartially and inexpensively.
8. Maintenance
Maintenance is an important responsibility and issues should be repaired in a timely manner once they have been reported. These issues include leaks, boiler problems and any faulty appliances you have supplied. Minor maintenance like changing lightbulbs, removal of rubbish and any damage caused by the tenant, is up to 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 Mortimers will ensure that all rules and regulations are covered to make your Landlord experience run smoothly.
If you would like more details on how Mortimers can help you as a Landlord, contact our Property Management Team today on 01254 234337, or find out more about our Fully Managed Service.
