Landlord Regulations

Legislation relating to property letting is constantly changing and it is essential to keep up to date with the latest developments, and what they mean for you as a landlord. Not making the necessary changes or meeting a statutory duty of care can be very damaging, financially, and professionally.

At Paran Property Services, we are committed to ensuring that all our registered landlords are fully compliant with the relevant regulations. You can find a guide to the current regulations below, however, if you have any further questions, please contact us and we will help ensure that you and your property are compliant, giving you the peace of mind, you deserve.

Energy Performance Certificate

Tenants must be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by their landlord at the earliest opportunity. You will not be allowed to legally let your property without supplying one. An EPC provides prospective tenants with information about the energy efficiency of the property and all privately rented properties must have a minimum rating of E. The only exceptions to this are properties that are registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. The penalty issued by Local Authorities for breaching this regulation can be up to £5000, and tenants retain the right to make reasonable energy efficiency improvements without impediment.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms

From 1st October 2015, landlords have been required by law to install working smoke alarms on all floors and carbon monoxide alarms (if solid fuel burning appliances are present) in their properties. These must be in place before the beginning of the tenancy.

For more information on this you can visit: www.direct.gov.uk

Landlords are also required to demonstrate that the alarms were working at the start of the tenancy, so it is advisable to get the tenant to sign a receipt confirming the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Alternatively, this can be added to the inventory at check-in, which is then signed by the tenant.

Tenants should be made aware that it is their responsibility to check the alarms are in working order on a regular basis, preferably monthly and that they should report the fault to the landlord or letting agent.

Gas annual inspection and safety certificates

Landlords have a legal requirement to make sure that there is a valid Gas Safety Certificate for the property, and that this is made available to the tenant either before or at the point they take up the tenancy. This certificate must be carried out by a Corgi Registered gas engineer and renewed annually, for as long as there is a tenant in the property.

The consequences of not having a valid GSC for a tenanted property can be far reaching, for example, if there is an incident relating to a faulty gas supply or equipment, and an occupant is injured or killed, criminal legal proceedings will follow, with the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. For more information, visit hse.gov.uk

Electrical safety certificates

Landlords are required by law to ensure that the electrical installation in a rented property is safe when a tenant moves in, and that it is maintained in a safe condition for as long as the tenant/s are there.

The law applies from 1 July 2020 to all new tenancies and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021, must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out and renewed by a qualified person every 5 years.

This will ensure you are fulfilling your legal responsibilities and cover you in the event of an electrical accident. It is also usually a condition of your landlord insurance policy.

Insurance

The landlord is responsible for their property. Appropriate insurance is very important, and landlords must inform their insurance company when the property is tenanted,  otherwise, the current policy will be void should a claim be necessary.

Inventories

An inventory is an essential part of any tenancy as it compares the condition and contents of the property at the beginning and end of the tenancy. It is a professionally written report detailing the fixtures and fittings in a property and should be compiled by an independent, professional inventory company. Inventories are vital in the event of a dispute over the deposit.  If one is not undertaken, it is almost impossible to claim for any damage (beyond fair wear and tear) or missing items at the end of the tenancy.

Paran Property Services only use reputable, accredited inventory companies that we instruct on your behalf to ensure your property is protected against damage by the tenant. Inventory prices will vary depending on the size of your property and its level of furnishing, however, we are able to advise on approximate costs.

Right to Rent

It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that every tenant has the legal right to reside in the UK. These checks have to be made before the tenancy starts. The fine for renting a property to anyone who does not have the legal right to remain in the UK is substantial, an unlimited fine and up to 5 years in prison. For more information, see the Right to Rent section on our Tenant Information document

Information for your tenant

Tenants must be provided with the following:

  • The landlord’s full name and address or that of the letting agent.
  • A copy of the government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide – practical advice about steps to take before and during a tenancy.
  • An Energy Performance Certificate for the property.

Repairs

Landlords are responsible for the following:

  • Exterior – The majority of repairs to the exterior or structure of a property. This includes the roof, chimneys, walls, guttering and drains, cracked or leaky windows.
  • Equipment for supplying water, gas and electricity in safe working order, for example a leak from internal pipework or boiler.

When using Paran Property Services’ fully managed landlord package, our agents will take care of all repair and maintenance issues on your behalf.

Accessing the property

Should you require access to the property in order to carry out inspections or repairs, this should not interfere unnecessarily with the tenant. Reasonable notice should be provided, and a mutually suitable time agreed. The notice required is usually established in the tenancy agreement.

Protecting a tenant’s deposit

Most tenancies are assured shorthold tenancies (AST) and tenancy deposits must be protected by a UK government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. A TDS protects the tenant’s money and can help resolve disputes. Paran Property Services is a member of the UKALA Client Money Protection Scheme.

Landlords can be fined for not adequately protecting a deposit and it can make it much more difficult to end the tenancy. Deposits must be returned in full at the end of the tenancy, unless there is a dispute about damage caused to the property or rent arrears. Paran Property will handle all aspects of the administration of the protection of the security deposit and provide your tenant with all the details of the relevant scheme.