Is Your Rental Property In Good Condition?

23rd March 2020

We’ve all got enough to be thinking about at the moment, but if you have additional time at home, you will likely consider ways you can improve your business. If you are a landlord, you are likely thinking about your rental property, and wondering if there are ways you can adjust the condition of the home.

Health and safety are at the forefront of people’s thoughts these days, and this is unlikely to change at any point soon. Landlords must comply with regulations ensuring their rental property is in good condition. Therefore, it is essential landlords make sure tenants have a good standard of rental property to live in. If you are planning on changes you can make in the future, we are here to help you recognise what you need to consider your rental property.

Gas and electrical conditions must be complied with

If there is a gas appliance in the rental property, the accommodation must be inspected by a gas installer who is registered with the Gas Safe Register. After the inspection, the landlord will receive a certificate, and this should be provided to the tenant before the tenant moves into the property. If the tenant is already in the rental property, the landlord should provide a copy of the certificate within 28 days.

As of July 2020, similar regulations will be in effect for electrical safety standards. For new tenancies beginning on or after 1 July 2020, the rental property must have an appropriate safety standard. The test should be carried out by a qualified engineer. New tenants should receive a copy of the certificate before they move into the property.

For existing tenancies, landlords must ensure their rental property complies with the new regulations by 1 April 2021. However, landlords shouldn’t assume this is a long time away, and they don’t need to worry about it now. The sooner a landlord ensures their rental property complies with regulations, the less they have to worry about in the long-term.

Make sure you have a valid EPC rating

Landlords should ensure they have an Energy Performance Certificate for their rental property. The rating for the rental property must be no less than an E, and this will comply with all rental accommodation before the end of this year.

Landlords are also required to ensure they carry out a fire risk assessment, and they should maintain a record of this assessment. As with all these tests, landlords should call on the services of a qualified professional to review the condition of the property.

It is also important landlords:

·         Have a working smoke alarm on every floor of the rental property

·         Have a carbon monoxide alarm for every room where solid fuel is utilised

·         Arrange risk assessments for legionella disease and that records are maintained to indicate this has been taken care of

·         Ensure all furniture provided in rental property complies with regulations

If you are a landlord and you need assistance managing your rental property, we can help. We are pleased to say we have assisted many local landlords, and if you need guidance, contact Merrys today.