Property Buying Guide

Buy to Let Advice: Your Responsibilities as a Buy to Let Landlord

It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that the buy to let property is 'fit for habitation'. As well as generally maintaining the property and arranging for any repairs to be done, you must ensure that the property is free from damp and has good ventilation, drainage and sewerage systems.

You are responsible for ensuring that there is adequate water and heating and that the equipment is in good working order. Toilets, basins, baths, sinks and drainage must be well maintained. If you do not meet the criteria and the property puts your tenant's health at risk he may be able to take legal action.  This is another reason for using a well-established letting agent:they will not take any property onto their books which does not meet current criteria, and they will advise of any work needing to be carried out beforehand.

As a landlord, you will be required to ensure that the property complies with fire regulations such as installing smoke detectors, ideally on all floors, and possibly fire doors. You should install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen. To find out further information about fire regulations and other regulations that may apply, contact the local authority.

Ensure that any furniture and furnishing that you provide if you are letting the property as furnished accommodation, complies with the Furniture and Furnishing Regulations. Be particularly wary if you buy or are given second-hand furniture. It must meet the 'match test' that now forms part of the Fire Safety Regulations.

If the property has gas installed or gas appliances, they must be checked annually by someone who is registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). You must keep a record of the checks and show them to your tenant within 28 days of the inspection. If your tenant owns gas appliances of his own, he is responsible for maintaining them.

Any electrical equipment that you supply with the let, from immersion heaters to kettles, must be in good repair and safe to use. You should arrange PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) and make available instruction booklets with any new electrical equipment that you supply. 

Deposits must now be protected by law in one of three government-approved schemes. For more information about how these schemes work, go to

www.tds.gb.com

More buy to let advice:

Buy to let – for first time buyers and everyone l How much can you borrow? l Buy-to-let mortgages  lThe tax situation l The hidden costs l Finding a suitable property l Letting agents l Tenants l Furnished and unfurnished properties l Buy-to-let useful websites l Buying Property Abroad 

Useful Links: 

www.arla.co.uk  
www.cml.org.uk/
www.landlords.org.uk/
www.direct.gov.uk/
www.rics.org.uk/