When becoming a landlord, you should ensure that you are fully aware of your responsibilities and legal obligations. This will ensure you provide the best service possible to your tenants and avoid any legal issues that may arise. Here are some important responsibilities that you should be aware of as a landlord in the UK:
Giving Your Tenant The Correct Information
You should be providing your tenant with documents stating vital information about yourself and the property that they are renting. These documents should include:
- The government’s ‘How To Rent’ guide
- The property’s energy performance certificate
- Gas safety certificate
- Your contact details so that they can contact you when needed
Write Up A Tenancy Agreement
A tenancy agreement is a legal written document that gives the tenant the right to live in the property. It will also protect the property for the landlord and ensure that both parties have a written agreement on their responsibilities to ensure there are no disputes in future. The agreement can include information such as:
- Names of everyone involved in the agreement
- How much rent costs and the method of payment
- When rent will be received
- The deposit price
- Address
- Start date of tenancy and end date
- Tenant and landlord obligations
Repairs and Maintenance
Landlords are responsible for specific repairs within a property which may include wiring, gas work, heating, water, drains, pipework, walls, stairs and doors etc. They also may be obligated to replace appliances such as fridges and washing machines, however this is only if these appliances have been supplied by the landlord themselves and is included in the tenancy agreement.
Safety
A landlord should always ensure that their property is safe to live in. This includes checking that nothing within the property is a fire hazard and smoke alarms are in working order. This also includes gas appliances in fully working conditions as well as electrical appliances being installed correctly to avoid wiring issues. Landlords can face hefty fines as well as prison sentences for failing to ensure property safety.
