Safety Regulations

Fire

There are strict regulations relating to the fire resistance of soft furnishings that are included in the letting. There are some exemptions, but a breach of these regulations can result in criminal proceedings. If you propose to include soft furnishings, we will advise you on the appropriate regulations. The regulations make it clear that there must be no non-compliant furniture in any part of the property including garage and attic.

Gas and electrical appliances

Under current safety regulations it is the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the gas and electrical systems and appliances at the property are maintained in a safe condition and serviced by a qualified contractor. It is a legal requirement to get the gas safety carried out on a yearly basis. If any appliances are included in the letting it will be the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure they are safe when the property is let. The law may also require the landlord to repair or replace these should they become defective. We advise excluding very old or defective appliances such as cookers from the letting. Where electrical appliances are included, we are obliged to supply safety instructions and carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). We would advise that all plugs, leads and sockets are checked for safety and correctly fused before a tenant takes possession.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

From October 2015 it is a legal requirement for all properties that are let out to include a working carbon monoxide alarm (where necessary) and smoke detectors at the rate of at least one per floor, unless the property has a full fire alarm system. A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room that contains a gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance. These must be checked and working when a tenant takes possession, but our Tenancy Agreement places the liability for on-going testing on the tenant.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System

The property must be a safe environment for tenants, we will assist you in checking all safety aspects of the property prior to the tenant moving in. A tenant or other party may ask the local authority to carry out an inspection of the property under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The local authority has significant powers to require property owners to make the property safe. The system is based on who- ever may be considered the most vulnerable person to occupy the property. We will explain how these regulations may affect you. We will also assist you with outcomes of such an inspection.

Routine Visits

With our management service we make regular visits to the property on your behalf and advise you of any potential problems. The main purpose of such visits is to check if there are any matters that require your attention. We also seek to ensure that the tenant is abiding by the agreement and not damaging the property. We also give the tenant advice, if necessary, on any defects we may find. However, tenants do have a right of privacy and we, and you as landlord, can only enter the property with their consent. Similarly, we are not able to comment on the tenant’s life style or cleaning ability unless the property is being adversely affected.

Landlord's Protection Insurance And Rent Guarantee

No matter how well prospective tenants are vetted, there is always the risk that a tenant will prove to be unsatisfactory, sometimes due to unforeseen changes in their own circumstances. Whilst court proceedings can be taken to enforce the terms of the tenancy agreement this is often expensive, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover the full costs involved from the tenant. We strongly recommend that you consider taking out legal protection insurance to guard against the risks involved. Similarly, insurance is available so that your income from rent is not lost in the event the tenant stops paying.

Problems With The Tenant

In the event of difficulty, whether because the tenant is failing to pay rent or has broken other terms of the Tenancy Agreement, we will be pleased to discuss with you the steps to enforce the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. However, we would stress that the vast majority of lettings we manage are un- eventful and trouble free.

Pets

A tenant is entitled to ask the landlord for consent. We advise that each case is considered on an individual basis. If consent is to be given by the landlord we request a full carpet clean at the end of the let including proof that the carpets have been treated for flea infestation.

Garden And Outside Areas

Tenants are required to keep these areas neat and tidy. Standard of gardening ability and knowledge can vary considerably. If the garden is particularly important or has special features, we usually suggest that the landlord provide a gardener, the cost being included in the rent. The extent of this can be negotiable and we will make the necessary arrangements and monitor the work as part of our management service