Understanding your legal obligations as a landlord is essential for both you and your tenant to have a pleasant and hassle-free renting experience. The duties of a landlord are many, but they are crucial. Here are the responsibilities every landlord should be aware of.
Ensuring the Property is Safe and Habitable
Legally, landlords must ensure that the property is habitable and safe. The home must have a sound structure, adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. To ensure the tenants’ safety, a safe living environment should be a priority.
Gas Safety
Gas appliances are dangerous. All gas appliances must be checked annually by a GasSafe engineer. After the inspection, you should provide a copy to your tenants of the Gas Safety Certificate.
Maintenance and Repairs
It is your duty as a landlord to maintain and repair the property. Fixing structural, plumbing or heating problems is part of this. Repair delays can cause tenants inconvenience and even legal problems. For advice from Cheltenham Letting Agents, visit https://www.meandyouestateagents.co.uk/lettings/
Respecting Tenant Privacy
It is important to respect your tenants’ privacy. Landlords are required to give adequate notice before entering a property, for whatever reason. This includes repairs, inspections or other purposes. As a landlord, it is your duty to respect the tenants’ right to peaceful enjoyment.
Do Not Discriminate Against Those Claiming Benefits
Landlords must understand that they cannot discriminate against tenants receiving benefits. In accordance with equal opportunity regulations landlords are not allowed to refuse to rent a property to someone solely based on their income source.
Electrical Safety
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all electrical installations are safe. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all electrical equipment is safe. Recent legislation requires that a five-year electrical safety inspection be performed by a qualified electrical engineer. This inspection ensures that the property will be safe for tenants.
Provide an EPC
When a property is rented or a new lease is signed, landlords are required to provide tenants with a Certificate of Energy Performance. The EPC gives tenants a better idea of how much energy the property uses.
Protecting the Tenant’s Deposit
The law requires that landlords protect the deposit of a tenant in a scheme approved by the government within thirty days after receiving it. The deposit can then be returned to the tenant at the end of their tenancy if there are no disputes about damages or unpaid rent.
