Our team at EPI Lettings will put all our effort into making your landlord journey as smooth as possible and will guide you each step of the way. Here we have given you a few pointers as it is important to know what your responsibilities are as a landlord:
Repair Responsibilities
- Maintaining the property’s structural integrity and exterior.
- Ensuring functionality of basins, sinks, baths, and sanitary fittings, including associated pipes and drains.
- Providing functioning heating systems and hot water facilities.
- Maintaining and servicing gas appliances, pipes, flues, and ventilation.
- Ensuring the proper functioning of electrical wiring.
- Covering the costs of any damages caused while attempting repairs.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Landlords should make sure that the property is safe and free from any hazards.
- Damp and Mould: Landlords need to fix dampness or mould problems caused by disrepair that make the property unfit to live in.
- Pests: Landlords must take care of repairs needed that prevent pests like rats or mice from entering the property.
- Gas Safety: Landlords must arrange gas safety checks every year.
- Electricity: Landlords must make sure that the wiring, plug sockets, and any provided electrical appliances are safe to use.
- Fire Safety: Landlords must install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where necessary.
What about our Tenants?
- Repairs: Tenants should only handle repairs if the tenancy agreement allows it. Landlords are responsible for repairs unless stated otherwise.
- Damage Liability: Tenants are accountable for damage they cause to other units or if their guests/family cause damage. (e.g. if water leaks into another flat from an overflowing bath, tenants are responsible for paying for the repairs.)
- Reporting Issues: Tenants must inform the landlord promptly about repairs or mould issues. Urgent issues like faulty wiring should be reported immediately.
- Rent Payments: Tenants should keep paying rent while waiting for repairs unless the agreement says otherwise.
Tenants must use the property in a ‘tenant-like manner’. This means:
- keeping the property reasonably clean
- safety checks on electrical appliances they own
- maintaining gardens and outside areas
- making sure the property is well ventilated to help avoid condensation
- minor maintenance i.e. changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries
The tenant is responsible to maintain the property to a reasonable level. They do not have to leave it in a better condition than when they moved in.
