Whether you’re new to being a landlord or an experienced investor, there are many different aspects of being a landlord you need to be aware of.
To help ensure a successful let, we’ve collated some of the most common questions we’ve been asked, and share our top 7 tips every landlord needs to know about.
Here’s a brief overview of what this article will touch on and what every landlord should consider before and during every tenancy:
1. Have up-to-date gas and electrical certificates
2. Ensure that all provided appliances are safe to use
3. Take potential tenant requests for keeping pets into account
4. Have the appropriate landlord insurance
5. Complete sufficient tenant checks
6. Have a good understanding of the new rules for tenant evictions
7. Understand local authority licensing requirements
Additionally, we'll also touch on other landlord legislation, you need to be aware of. This list isn’t exhaustive, but will provide you with a good starting point for researching and understanding how to manage your buy-to-let investments successfully. And, if you have any further questions, we’re always here to help.
Let’s get started.
1. Have up-to-date gas and electrical certificates
It’s important to ensure that you have all the mandatory certification throughout a tenancy. Whilst the primary consideration will always be tenant safety, it’s important to keep in mind that failing to maintain up-to-date certification not only puts you in breach of your regulatory obligations, but can invalidate your landlord insurance and may put you at a disadvantage when trying to regain possession of the property.
According to the gas safety regulations, a landlord’s duty is to ensure that a valid Gas Safety Record completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer is in place at all times. Copies should be kept for 2 years, issued to all new tenants prior to commencement of a tenancy, and to each existing tenant within 28 days of annual retesting.
For electrical installations, the latest regulations require landlords to have properties tested by qualified inspectors at least every 5 years. As a landlord, you must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to your tenants, and if requested, to the local authority.^
Furthermore, ensure that your property follows the latest smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations. You can find the latest Government publication here.
2. Have a good understanding of appliance safety by ensuring that all provided appliances are safe to use
Landlords are under an obligation to ensure that appliances supplied by them within a property (often referred to as portable appliances) are safe to use. Unlike gas and electrical installations, there is no legal requirement for formal testing and certification which, in practice, is the only way a landlord can demonstrate compliance with the regulations. For this reason, we advise that you complete an annual Portable Appliance Test (PAT).
3. Take potential tenant requests for keeping pets into account
You might be wondering if you should allow your tenants to have pets, a great question when considering that 62% of households in the UK own a pet.*
A tenant must ask for consent from their landlord to keep a pet, to which landlords should give due consideration. However, in England, this process is currently part of the debate in the Renters (Reform) Bill, which may include a stop on a blanket ban of pets. Find out more about this in our article that covers all the ins and outs of lets with pets.
If, as a landlord, you are willing to accept pets, include provisions in the tenancy agreement to ensure that any damage caused by the pet is not treated as fair wear and tear. As a landlord, you may be unable to give consent for a tenant to keep a pet, if the space is unsuitable or your lease contains restrictions concerning tenants with pets.
Our expert advice: To help ensure that any damage can be properly assessed, a thorough inventory is advised, which a good agent can create.