Landlord Services
Landlord Responsibilities and the Law
Landlord Responsibilities and the Law
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 &1996
All gas appliances, including central heating systems, cookers, heaters, fire, flues and pipe work (etc.) must be serviced and safety checked on an annual basis and maintained by a CORGI or British Gas registered/authorised engineer. A copy of the gas safety certificate must be given to the tenant along with details of any remedial work required/carried out.Electrical Appliances and Equipment
It is a legal requirement that all electrical appliances (including immersion heaters and cookers, kettles, etc) supplied must be safe and as such should be tested by a qualified electrician. Any item that you leave in the property that has a plug on it must be checked and repaired or replaced if found to be faulty. All items should be labelled and records supplied to the Agent. Instruction books should also be supplied.Any electrical work on the property carried out after January 2005 must be carried out by a qualified electrician and supported with a certificate.Furnished PropertiesAny furniture in a rented property (fully or part furnished) must comply with Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendments) Regulations 1993. The regulation applies to all upholstered furniture and loose fittings, permanent and loose covers including: beds, headboards, mattresses, pillows, sofas, chairs, scatter cushions and beanbags. Each item must have a permanent label showing that it is fire resistant. Carpets, curtains or furniture manufactured before 1950 are exempt.Smoke Detectors
Building regulations require that all properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated smoke detectors/alarms on each floor. It is our recommendation that all properties built before this date are fitted with the same and checked regularly Alarms should conform to BS 5446 Part 1.Consents
Joint/multiple Owners – The consent of any joint owner must be received prior to letting the property and their names must appear above and on the Tenancy Agreement.Superior Lessors & Mortgagors – If the property is subject to leasehold or a mortgage, the landlord must seek and obtain permission to let the Property since additional or alternative notices may be required to be served on the tenants. All necessary consents must be in writing.Insurance
The landlord must ensure that the property and contents are comprehensively insured. Insurers must be informed that the property is to be let and may have periods of non-occupation. Failure to do so may render a claim invalid. Landlords are also advised to consider legal and rent protection insurance.Income Tax for Non-Resident Landlords
It is your responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received and to pay any tax due. Further information on taxation can be found at www.inlandrevenue.gov.ukProof of IdentificationWith effect from 1st March 2004, we are required by law to ask our clients for proof of identity. You will need to provide one of the following; valid passport, photo driving licence, shotgun licence or armed forces ID card; plus one of the following; recent utility bill (less than 3 months old), bank statement (less than 3 months old), council tax bill (less than 3 months old) or an old style driving licence.
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