When you move into a privately-owned property, you will be dealing with a landlord and/or possible a letting agent. However, regardless of who you deal with your landlord is ultimately responsible for a lot of things when it comes to the property you are renting.
So, here are some things to keep in mind that your landlord is responsible for.
Meet safety basics
Health and safety are one of the main things your landlord is responsible for. Here are some of the main health and safety concerns that are a landlord’s responsibility.
- Installation of a smoke detector on each floor of the property.
- The property must be fit for human habitation.
- Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in coal-fired rooms or spaces with wood-burning stoves.
- A gas safety certificate must be available for each gas appliance inside the property.
- All furniture must satisfy safety standards and display appropriate labels to reduce the risk of fire.
- Any electrical equipment must be safe to use. It’s best the landlord uses a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) or Installation Survey to be sure you are compliant.
- Water supply must be functioning properly to protect tenants.
Energy performance certificate
You will need to buy an EPC for a property as a landlord before you let it. Beginning from 1 April 2018, there must be a basic rating of E on the EPC firm for the property. It would be illegal to rent any property that contravenes this provision with a fine that could be up to £4,000.
Repairs
Landlords are responsible for fixing most of the property’s interiors or structures. This means the landlord is responsible for any problems with the roof, walls, chimneys, guttering and drains. These might include a cracked a faulty boiler, window, window leaky seal, or kitchen leak.
Landlords are also responsible for maintaining the water, gas and energy delivery facilities and keeping them in good working order. It is important that you keep your landlord up to date with any issues that may arise in the property. Once you do, It is the landlord responsibility to ensure that these problems are addressed an fixed to an acceptable standard.
Accessing the property
The property landlord is expected to visit the property from time to time for maintenance and checks to be carried out. However, accessing the property for maintenance and repairs should not constitute unnecessary interference to the tenants.
The landlord is required to send fair notice and schedule a suitable date for the tenants and themselves. The notice period is usually stated in the tenancy agreement; however, on average, the notice period for any maintenance or repairs is 24 hours.
If you ever have any problems with your property, it is important that you get in touch with your landlord to have them addressed. If your landlord refuses to help or is being uncooperative, be sure to know your rights so that you can take things further if