Landlords’ Legal Obligations

As a Landlord of a property in the UK, ensuring your property conforms to current housing legislation has to be your number one priority.

In order to protect your interests and the safety of our tenants PhilipAlexander will not authorise the completion of a tenancy agreement until we are satisfied all necessary requirements have been met.

Please be aware of the following regulations that your property needs to comply with. If we are the managing agent for your property, then we will advise where action is needed. If we do not manage your property, then you will be responsible for ensuring your property conforms to all current regulations.

If you need assistance in getting your property ready for tenants speak to our property management team on 020 8342 9444 or email management@philipalexander.net

Gas Safety Certificate

If your property is serviced by gas this certification needs to be renewed on an annual basis.

• Find out more at: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

All buildings within the private rented sector are required to have a valid certificate, which lasts 10 years. Since 1 April 2020 the property must also meet a minimum rating of E unless an exemption is granted. The EPC must be made available to any prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity following their request and a copy is to be provided to the tenant who take up residence.

• Find out more at: www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance

Electrical Safety

Landlords are also responsible for ensuring the electrical installation and all appliances within the property are maintained in good order and checked for safety by a qualified and competent person. Once checked an electrical safety certificate is valid for 5 years.

• Find out more at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

An amendment to the existing regulations comes into force on 1 October 2022. Landlords must ensure their property has standards-compliant smoke and carbon monoxide alarms appropriate to the size and make up of their property. These should be tested at the start of every tenancy and annually for existing tenancies.

• Find out more at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants

Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety

Any furniture or furnishings that are part of your property let need to comply with current fire safety regulations.

• Find out more at: www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/

Legionnaires Disease

Landlords are responsible for carrying out a risk assessment for Legionnaire’s disease before letting a property and for maintaining control measures to minimise the risk in water system while the property is let. This needs to be done once every two years.

• Find out more at: www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/legionella-landlords-responsibilities.htm

HMO Licence – Haringey Council

If you are a landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) you need to ensure the property has an appropriate HMO licence. For guidance on HMO’s in Haringey Council please see the link below.

• Find out more at: www.haringey.gov.uk/housing/landlords/multiple-occupants/should-my-property-have-hmo-licence

Selective Property Licensing – Haringey Council

From 17 November 2022 landlords in Haringey Council who privately rent homes to a single-family or 2 unrelated sharers within one of the designated wards will require a licence from the Council to legally let their property. The scheme is due to run for 5 years.

• Find out more at: www.haringey.gov.uk/housing/information-landlords/multiple-occupants/selectivepropertylicensing

If you are a Landlord in Haringey looking for help with meeting your legal requirements speak to our property management team. Call us on 020 8342 9444 or email management@philipalexander.net