Whether you rent out a single buy to let, a couple of properties or a substantial portfolio, you are subject to the same legal framework.
If you see yourself as looking after an investment or as carrying out your main business, the same rules and regulations need to be taken into account. That’s why all landlords should know their own rights and also be aware of their responsibilities in order to remain within the law.
There are more than 150 different pieces of legislation covering the Lettings sector at the moment and that figure is growing all the time. It’s easy to see how it can be difficult for landlords to keep on top of everything.
Although so called ‘red tape’ encroaches on many aspects of our lives, for private rental sector landlords it can be an extremely serious matter if they fall foul of the law.
Responsibilities
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 is perhaps the most important body of law that covers the responsibilities a landlord has to their tenants.
It essentially covers the safety of those who live in any property your own and rent out. Here the
landlord’s obligations are defined, namely to ensure properties must be “free of serious hazards” and to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the property. Failure to comply can result in serious penalties.
More specific safety issues are covered in yet more legislation. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 requires landlords (or their agents) to make sure safety checks of gas appliances are carried out each year. A registered ‘Gas Safe’ engineer must be used to carry out the annual safety check and also to install and maintain all gas equipment on the premises.
Likewise, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 covers electrical installations in rental properties. This also requires inspections and tests to be carried out by a “qualified and competent” engineer at least every five years.
There are other safety requirements including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If the property is being let as furnished there are also other laws covering safety regulations for all furniture and furnishings.
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations enforce the need for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). At the time of writing, a rental property must have a minimum EPC rating of E and all ratings have to be included in marketing details.
Issued by an accredited assessor, the EPC rates the overall energy efficiency of a property and also gives advice on ways that things can be improved and utility bills minimised.
A Big Job
With so many official responsibilities for landlords it can be difficult to be sure you are fully compliant. Any breaches or failures to reach and maintain the standards set out in law can lead to serious consequences.
It’s no surprise that so many landlords in and around Taunton trust us to help them with our Property Management Services. Our fully managed lettings packages give peace of mind because you will know that you are fully in line with laws that apply to you at both national and local levels.
Essentially, it’s our job to know about all of the legislation that currently exists and new laws as they are introduced. We take the burden of responsibility from your shoulders and look after everything.
It goes far beyond simply making sure you are on the right side of the law. We are the local experts in lettings management and because of our experience and local reputation we know which contractor is the best for every job.
Working with established and trusted local specialists we make sure everything that needs to be done is carried out to the highest standards and in the most cost effective way.
That’s where the real crux of the matter comes in – by using our letting management services you can maximise your return on investment in many different ways – talk to us today to find out more.
Call us on 01823 257 400, email info@townsend-property.co.uk or pop into the office at 16 Bridge Street, Taunton TA1 1UB 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
