LANDLORD REGULATIONS

​

Whether requiring a Letting only Service, Rent Collection or Management services, Landlords have the responsibility for the safety of both the Tenant and their own property during the tenancy. The Landlord must adhere to the following regulations without fail, and as Agents we must ensure that they are carried out.

​

TENANT REFERENCING 

All prospective Tenants are interviewed before being recommended. If accepted, full referencing will then take place via an independent referencing Agency or alternatively, a manual referencing system will be used where the following references will be obtained where possible.

 

• Employers reference.

• Personal reference.

• Credit check.

• Bank reference in the form of recent bank statement.

• Photo ID (Either passport or driving licence).

• Previous Landlord (if applicable).

• Financial Guarantor (if applicable).

 

TAXES MANAGEMENT ACT 1970

If you are going to reside outside the UK, we are bound under the Taxes Management Act 1970, Sections 78 and 83, to assess you at the basic rate of income tax (variable) due from rents we collect on your behalf if you are not "self-assessing" your own tax. We should receive a letter of confirmation from your Accountant and Tax Office confirming that they accept liability for payment of your tax. (Please see your Accountant). Alternatively, we can instruct a Tax Specialist or Tax Advisor who can give you advice or can be employed by you to take care of your tax affairs whilst abroad. (See our Terms of Business).

 

FIRE & FURNISHINGS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1988 (1993)

All soft furnishings such as settees, sofas, beds, padded chairs, pillows, cushions etc, must comply with the Fire Resistance requirements contained within the regulations. Items of furniture made prior to 1950 are termed as antiques, and as such are excluded from the regulations. Usually, a label is attached to the item of furniture to confirm it is acceptable. We will at all times check your furniture and advise you accordingly to the best of our ability.

 

GAS SAFETY (INSTALLATIONS & USE) REGULATIONS 1994 (1996)

A qualified Engineer (Gas Safe or British Gas) must check all Gas appliances and installation within the accommodation on an annual basis, for its safe use. This includes such items as Gas Fires, Central Heating boilers, Gas cookers and other gas appliances. It also insists that flues and chimneys are clear of obstructions and in the correct place. The engineer must issue a certificate and a copy presented to the Tenant at the start of any tenancy. Any items that fail to comply with the regulations must be fixed or removed immediately.

​

THE ELECTRICAL CHECKS (1st JUNE 2020)

The regulations came into force on 1 June 2020, they apply to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. The relevant date for determining when the new requirements apply is the date on which the tenancy is granted. A new tenancy is one that was granted on or after 1 June 2020.

 

THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1994

These regulations require that all Electrical equipment left at the property be "safe and of no risk or injury to humans or animals". They should be checked that flexes, fuses and electrical output are safe and correct. Items that must comply are all portable electrical items such as electrical cookers, fridges, washing machines, kettles, toasters etc. As agents we can not guarantee which items are safe or not, and will recommend that a qualified electrician checks these items (a charge will be made). Your own electrician can carry this out.

 

TENANTS' DEPOSITS

From the 6th April 2007, all deposits must now be registered. We are registered with www.depositprotection.com. The fee for this is £65.00 plus VAT.

 

Tenancy Deposit Schemes are being introduced to prevent a small number of bad landlords from wrongly withholding part or all of a tenant’s deposit. They will encourage tenants and landlords to have a clear agreement on the condition of the property before the tenancy begins. Drawing up inventories of fixtures and fittings will become good practice and help to resolve disputes. The Scheme covers Assured Shorthold Tenancies entered into after 6th April 2007 – it covers the vast majority of tenancies.

 

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (EPC)

FROM 1st October 2008, an EPC will be required whenever a dwelling is let to new tenant. An EPC is not required for any property occupied prior to 1 October 2008 that will be occupied by same tenant after that date. An EPC is valid 10 years from date of issue and can be used as many times as needed within that period. The fee is £80.00 (for up to a 3 bed property) plus VAT.

​

​