Legal Requirements
When preparing your property to let, or indeed while tenants are in situ, it is essential to adhere to the requirements below and ensure your rental property meets the required standards. In Between Lets can help with all of these items, so feel free to call us to arrange to have any of these tasks carried out.
| ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT | There are new Regulations that came into force on 1 June 2020 that require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested. This means that all landlords now have to do what good landlords already do: make sure the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe. |
| EPC | With effect from 1st October 2008, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive came into effect across the private rented sector. As a result, all residential rental properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for tenants to view prior to signing a Tenancy Agreement. An EPC tells you how energy efficient the property is and includes recommendations as to how the property’s energy efficiency may be improved. EPCs have to be renewed every ten years. |
| GAS SAFETY | Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must have all gas appliances, pipework, fittings and flues checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, for which they will be issued a Gas Safety Certificate. |
| FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS | To minimise the risk of fire, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set out requirements for soft furnishings, such as cushions, beds, sofas and pillows. It is illegal to provide furnishings that don’t comply. |
| SMOKE ALARMS | All properties built after 1991 must be fitted with mains-powered smoke alarms. For older houses, the rules are less clear-cut, but we would recommend having them fitted (one on each floor). Battery-powered smoke alarms are cheap and easy to fit and save lives (and your property!) but must be tested regularly. |
| LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE | Legionnaires is a pneumonia like illness caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can be fatal. Legionella bacteria are widespread in rivers, lakes and water systems where the temperature of the water is such as to encourage growth of the bacteria, e.g. a hot water system. People can catch the disease by inhaling small droplets of water which may be suspended in the air and contain the bacteria. Stored and recirculated water is a particular risk. |
I would like to thank you, Michele, for the brilliant job you did to convert an old office into a flat. This was no easy task. It was definitely a challenge but your patience and determination to get it right has paid off. Your builders also deserve a lot of credit and were very helpful at all times.
The flat now looks like a show home and I am delighted with the result.