2016 was a busy year for landlord and tenant regulation, with a number of new measures and requirements introduced, perhaps most notably Right to Rent laws and new tax requirements.
In the UK, there are various pieces of legislation and regulations that a landlord must adhere to in administering and operating a tenancy. These obligations reach beyond the traditional landlord and tenant legislation into others areas, including gas, electrical and fire safety regulations, immigration and tax law.
In addition to the Landlord and Tenant Acts and Law of Property Acts, here are some key pieces of legislation landlords must be aware of.
Gas safety
A Gas Safety Certificate should be in place to ensure that all gas appliances, pipes and flues are in safe working order. It must be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and checked every 12 months.
Furniture and furnishing regulations
If you are furnishing your rented property, you must ensure that all furnishings comply with these regulations and display standard labels in a prominent position. This is to reduce the risk of fire within the property.
Electrical regulations
You are required to ensure that any electrical devices within the property are safe for use.
We recommend an Installation Survey or Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) so you can be sure you are compliant.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (for England only)
Landlords should have at least one smoke alarm on every storey of their properties – even where only a bathroom is located. And if any room contains a solid fuel burning appliance, a carbon monoxide alarm has to be present.
Legionella
As a landlord, you have a duty of care to your tenants to make sure your water supply is working properly to protect them from Legionella.
Right to Rent
The Immigration Act now requires that landlords ensure that tenants have a legal right to rent in the UK and must conduct a right to rent check.
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