Before renting out a property in the UK, you’ll need to be familiar with certain landlord responsibilities. There are many things you must do to ensure the safety of your tenants and comply with the law.
So, what are landlords responsible for? A landlord’s responsibilities cover everything from protecting your tenant’s deposit to keeping the property in good condition. You’ll also need to ensure you pay the correct amount of tax and national insurance.
At 53 Degrees Property, we have plenty of experience letting properties. In this guide, we’ll explain everything that UK landlords are required to do. We also discuss how you can avoid the hassle of being a private landlord with guaranteed rent.
Conduct Right to Rent Checks
If you’re renting out a home in England, your first landlord responsibility is to check your tenants’ right to rent. This means making sure that they have permission to live in the UK before the tenancy begins. You need to check everyone aged 18 and over. If they are British citizens, ask to see their passport, birth certificate or certificate of naturalisation. Otherwise, you’ll need to check their immigration documents. Ensure all documents are genuine originals, and that the dates are valid. Don’t forget to make and keep copies for your reference.Protect Your Tenant’s Deposit
If you ask your tenant for a deposit, you must use a government-backed tenancy deposit protection scheme. In England and Wales, these include:- MyDeposits
- The Deposit Protection Service
- The Tenancy Deposit Scheme
Provide an Energy Performance Certificate
Another of your legal landlord obligations is to provide an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This certificate grades the building’s energy efficiency from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). Apply for an EPC through an accredited energy assessor before putting the property up for rent. Anyone interested in renting your home has the right to see it, free of charge. You must also give a copy to the tenant when they sign the tenancy agreement.Follow Health and Safety Laws
All landlords in the UK must ensure their property is safe and free from health hazards. This is one of the most important parts of the landlord responsibilities checklist. It includes:- Fitting and testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Following all relevant fire safety regulations
- Having all electrical and gas equipment regularly inspected and maintained according to safety standards
Maintain the Property
Part of being a landlord involves keeping your property in good condition. This means that you must address maintenance issues pointed out by the tenant and make any necessary repairs. Standard landlord repairs responsibilities include:- Fixing exterior and structural damage
- Maintaining sanitary fittings including baths, sinks and toilets
- Keeping electrical, gas, heating and hot water systems in working order
- Repairing anything that you damage while carrying out other repairs
- Rectifying any problem that makes the home unfit for habitation (e.g. extreme temperatures, mould, pest infestations)
- Anything else stated in the tenancy agreement
Pay Tax and National Insurance
Tax is another of your mandatory landlord responsibilities. You’ll need to contact HMRC and declare your rental income if it is over £1,000 per year. If it exceeds £2,500 after allowable expenses (or £10,000 before expenses), you will need to report it on a Self Assessment tax return. If your profits from rental income are more than £11,908 per year, you may also need to pay Class 2 National Insurance. These figures are correct as of 2023, but may change, so consult the GOV.UK website for advice.Respect Your Tenants’ Rights
Part of your landlord legal responsibilities include respecting the rights of your tenants. For example, you must:- Keep the property safe and in a good state of repair
- Return their deposit within 10 days of the tenancy ending
- Stick to all terms set out in the tenancy agreement
- Allow the occupants ‘quiet enjoyment’ of the property – this means providing 24 hours’ notice before entering the property for inspections and repair works
- Respect the rules on rent increases, arrears and disputes (e.g. not increasing the rent more than once a year)
Fed Up with Private Landlord Responsibilities (UK)? Try Guaranteed Rent
There’s no doubt that a landlord’s legal responsibilities can be a lot to handle. Letting a property takes up so much time and effort that it can feel like a full-time job. If you want to avoid most of the hassle that comes with being a private landlord, 53 Degrees Property can help. Our guaranteed rent scheme provides landlords with a secure, fixed income for up to 5 years. During this time, we’ll manage every aspect of your rental property for you, from finding tenants to carrying out repairs. What’s more, you’ll receive rent on time, every month – even if tenants don’t pay, or the property is empty. To find out more, contact 53 Degrees Property today. Fill in our online form or call us on 0330 058 0165.Get a FREE Guaranteed Rent Valution
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