|
People rent their properties for
various reasons.
Some are relocating for a year and just want to cover the cost of
their mortgage on their primary residence. Others purchase property
solely for investment reasons. As a landlord, you should recognise
your primary reason for renting your property. If you are an "absent
landlord," it probably makes sense to use a managed service agency
to handle your rental property.
Before you advertise your property
to let:
Get permission from your mortgage lender to let property (if you do
not have a buy-to-let mortgage).
If you are in a leasehold
property, get permission from the head lessee to rent property.
Make sure your buildings and contents insurance is appropriate.
Take out lettings insurance.
Get gas appliances checked in
accordance with gas regulations.
Check that furniture complies
with Fire Safety Regulations.
If you are an overseas landlord,
apply for the Exemption Certificate from the
Inland Revenue.
PIM4805 - Overseas landlords: 1996-97
onwards:
Overseas Landlords
Before your tenant moves in, you
should:
Check your tenant's references.
Have lease reviewed by a solicitor and signed by all parties.
Take receipt of deposit (the bond) and first rental payment.
Do inventory with the tenant, and both of you should sign it.
Redirect your mail; tenants can't be relied on to forward your post.
Arrange for all meters to be read and the accounts to be transferred
to new tenant.
Arrange for your council tax to be paid by new tenant.
The day your tenant moves in, make
sure:
The property is as clean and tidy as you wish to find it on the day
you take back possession.
There are instructions for all appliances.
There are cleaning instructions for any special furnishings.
All the vital connection points for gas, water and electricity are
labelled - Stock cocks, fuses, switches in boiler, etc.
Security devices - alarms, locks, window locks, etc - are all
demonstrated and explained to the tenant.
Emergency phone numbers are posted and fire extinguisher, smoke
alarms and any other safety devices are explained.
Telephone line is available, and home telephone number is published.
You should arrange for account to be transferred to tenant.
Provide a written procedure for how to handle emergencies (ie.
flooding, robbery, fire, etc). The procedure should explain who to
contact first, second, etc. When the landlord wishes to be notified. |
|
Some current
Legal Requirements
taken
from our agency
agreement
It is illegal to let the property until you have been issued
with current safety certificates:
a)
Gas
Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1994.
I/We accept that gas appliances and installations must be checked
and found to be safe by a CORGI registered engineer annually.
I/We undertake to ensure that the above mentioned property is
inspected in accordance with the aforementioned regulations
annually.
If you require rent24 llp
to have the safety check carried out on your behalf we will need
the fee to be paid in advance.
b)
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1995.
I/We hereby certify that the wiring at the property in both
fixed electrical equipment and the building itself meets all
electrical and fire safety regulations. I/We acknowledge that
the appliances must be checked on an annual basis and agree to
ensure a suitably qualified contractor is instructed to do so
annually. Before
a formal lease can be signed, a certificate
must
be issued by a qualified
contractor
initially and annually
thereafter.
If you require rent24
LLP
to have the safety check carried out on your behalf we will need
the fee to be paid in advance.
c)
Smoke
Alarms.
I/We hereby acknowledge that, where smoke alarms are installed
at a property, I/We shall be responsible for ensuring that they
are fully functional and fitted with new batteries before a new
tenant moves into the above mentioned property.
d)
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1993.
All soft furnishings in furnished or partially furnished
properties must comply with fire resistance requirements which
came into force in 1988. I/We confirm that in relation to the
above mentioned property no furniture exists which in any way
contravenes these regulations.
|
