What are the key legal requirements for letting a property

What are the key legal requirements for letting a property?

The certificates:

When you have decided that you are ready to let out your home or investment property, some important certificates are required before a tenant moves in. We have listed them below:

GAS SAFE CERTIFICATION 1985

A legal requirement, Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in the property are properly maintained and inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes gas fires, hobs any other appliance that use gas as a fuel source. Its also important that a carbon monoxide alarm is present in all of the rooms where gas appliance is located.

If you should require one, we can provide one through our services page at a cost of £75.00

RIGHT TO RENT CHECK

Any prospective tenant looking to rent a property will have to provide documentation to confirm they have the legal right to rent in the UK. This applies to all living in the property regardless of who is on the tenancy. It is also extremely important that your checks are documented with supporting evidence.

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

Any upholstered furniture, beds, mattresses, and other soft furnishings provided with the rental property must comply with fire safety standards.

Smoke Alarm Regulations 2015

Landlords must install at least one working smoke alarm on every floor of the rental property used as living accommodation.

Fire Risk Assessment

Landlords must carry out a fire risk assessment for the property and implement appropriate fire safety measures.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Landlords must provide tenants with a valid EPC prior to viewing, which rates the energy efficiency of the property whilst giving generic information on recommended energy improvements. All properties must have a rating of E and above. As of recent, there have been suggestions that the minimum rating will increase to C.

If you should require one, we can provide one through our services page at a cost of £75.00

Landlord Licensing

Certain rental properties in Bournemouth may require a license, and landlords should check the local council's requirements.

EICR (Electrical installation condition report)

A legal requirement that is required every five years is effectively an overview of how safe the electrical wiring is within the home.

If you should require one, we can provide one through our services page at a cost of £75.00

By adhering to these legal requirements, landlords and letting agents in Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch can ensure a safe and compliant rental experience for both themselves and their tenants.

We hope you found our content useful, if you require further advice or require a fully managed letting service in Christhchurch, Bournemouth or Poole then choose Grantco as your partner in Lettings.