Proof Of Ownership
Before we can register a property, proof of ownership is required, e.g. any documentation relating to the property. For jointly owned properties, written consent from all owners is required.
Is Your Property Mortgaged
Should there be a mortgage on the property, we suggest you contact your mortgage company and obtain consent in writing from them, before placing your property on the market. The same applies to lease hold properties.
Property Insurance
Some Insurance policies for buildings and contents may not include letting your property, therefore please check incase renting invalidates your policy.
Property Inventory
The Inventory of contents and schedule of condition is vitally important, this is why we include this in our package for free. Without an Inventory, should there be any dispute at the tenancy end, the landlord will not be able to prove any loss or damage. All our compiled Inventory reports will contain additional photographs and photographic meter readings.
Gas Appliances & Equipment
Annual safety check: Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer (e.g. a CORGI registered gas installer).
Maintenance: There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipe work are maintained in a safe condition at all times.
Records: Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspections of each appliance and flue, of any defects found and of any remedial action taken.
Copies to tenants: A copy of the safety certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out.
Electrical Appliances & Equipment
There's many regulations relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety, and these affect landlords and their agents in that they are 'supplying in the course of business'. They include the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994, the 2005 Building Regulation - 'Part P, and British Standard BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets. Current tenanted property there is currently no specific legal requirement for a qualified electrician to carry out an inspection and issue a safety certificate (as exists in the case of gas appliances), it is now widely accepted in the letting industry that the only safe way to ensure safety, and to avoid the risk of being accused of neglecting your 'duty of care', or even of manslaughter is to arrange such an inspection and certificate.
Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) specifies that items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistant standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, and beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows, and non-original covers for furniture. The regulations do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bed clothes including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. All such items as above must be checked for compliance, and non-compliant items removed from the premises. In practice, nearly all items which comply must have a suitable permanent label attached.
Professional Cleaning
At the start of any tenancy, we strongly recommend that the property is professionally cleaned and a receipt is given to us. When the Inventory is compiled, a note will be made stating the cleanliness of the property and if it has been professionally cleaned. At the end of tenancy, it is then the tenant's responsibility to have the property professionally cleaned. Where they have failed to have this carried out, cleaning will most likely be arranged at their expense.
Security Deposits and the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS)
As of 6 April 2007 all tenant deposits have to be protected by either The Custodial Scheme or The Insurance Scheme. Deposits will be handled by us and placed in The Deposit Protection Service.
