Regulations and laws that landlords need to pay attention to 

10/04/2018 08:55


Landlords have been receiving some fairly unfavorable press recently. The housing crisis, particularly in London, is deepening, and more and more millennials and renters are being left in difficult scenarios, with many struggling to make ends meet.

Because of the vulnerable position many are finding themselves in, a number of ‘rouge landlords’ have been offering rooms up to cash poor individuals in exchange for sexual favours and close company. It’s scandalous, shameful and is telling of just how far this crisis has gone.

While the majority of landlords are noble and are offering a transparent service to renters, it’s still vitally important that they adhere to certain rules and regulations. So, what does a landlord need to do in order to stay on the right side of the law?


Gas safety

It is imperative that any property that has gas appliances undergoes the appropriate annual gas safety checks. These will need to be conducted by a gas fitter or engineer who is and the check must have been carried out within the 12 months before the new tenant takes up occupation.


Licensable HMOs

If a landlord owns a property that is part of a multiple occupation e.g. bedsits, shared houses or a shared flat, it may be necessary for a HMO license to be obtained from the local authority. It is important that landlords make contact with local authorities to check which licensing requirements are applicable to them and their property.


Electrical inspections

Properties that are in a house of multiple occupation of any kind will need a five year electrical safety check to be carried out by a component electrician, even in circumstances where a license is not required. Properties that this covers includes shared houses, flats in multiple occupation, bedsits, hostels and certain converted blocks of flats.


Prescribed information to tenants in England

It is now the law that tenancy landlords are required to provide a timely copy of How to rent: a checklist for renting in England. If a landlord fails to do this, they will not be able to serve a valid section 21 notice in England.

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