Lettings for All – Part 1. Our landlords’ guide to avoiding the pitfalls

Being a landlord is a considerable responsibility and one that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. There are many things to think about and our experts at Forge Property Consultants can help guide you through the process.

If you are the landlord of a rented property, it’s your responsibility to keep the premises safe and free from health hazards. This includes making sure that the gas and electric equipment is properly installed and maintained, and is in good working order. This also covers the upkeep of the building itself and it must be structurally safe and sound. With regards to fire safety, landlords must fit and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where required, and follow the relevant fire safety regulations for the property type and its surrounding neighbourhood.

Landlords may also be asked to carry out a Housing Health and Safety Rating Inspection, to ascertain the condition of the accommodation. As a result of this, you could be required to make improvements to the property. If the property you wish to rent out is part-owned by a financial institution, as a result of a mortgage or loan, you’ll have to seek approval from them to rent it out.

It is also necessary to provide an official, valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property, detailing the property’s energy use and average energy costs, and possible recommendations on how this can be made more efficient. As a landlord, you must check that the tenant has the right to rent a property in the UK and if they are, you must ensure that their deposit is kept in a government-protected scheme. Landlords must also present their tenants with a ‘How to Rent’ checklist, which has advice on all aspects of the renting process.

It’s a minefield out there and talking to the experts can help landlords avoid succumbing to the pitfalls. To find out more, contact us and we’ll be happy to provide more information.