Making Your Property Suitable for Letting

Before deciding to let your vacant property, it is very important that you understand your legal responsibilities to assure the safety of your property to your tenants. The requirements of a landlord to confirm the safety of his property before letting are outlined by 29 assessments of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, and are enforced by local authorities.

Before letting your property, be sure that your electrical and gas appliances are functioning properly. Landlords are required to have annual inspections by a registered Corgi installer of gas heaters, central heating systems, fires, cookers, flues and also gas pipe work. Failure to provide an annual certificate of compliance is illegal. Additionally, real fuel burners, gas fired boilers, or an enclosed coal fired heater is required to be fitted with a carbon monoxide detection alarm that is Corgi approved.

Other legal requirements for letting property include the disclosure of any potential hazards that is in the vicinity of the property you are letting, including streams, ponds, railway lines and the like. Completing a personal survey of the surrounding properties and public areas will help to assure that you provide full disclosure to prospective tenants.

The potential of fire on a let property has prompted public acts which are to be in strict adherence to by all landlords. For example, all let properties that were built after June in 1992 must be compliant with requirements to have mains operated interlinking smoke detectors and or alarms on each of the floors of the property. In addition, any furniture built after 1950, that is let as part of the property, is required to carry a permanent label confirming that the fabrication materials meet all current requirements of the fire resistance. This rule applies to mattresses, padded headboards, pillows, and cushions, as well as any other item that is upholstered or contains a filling of any kind such as armchairs and sofas.

Maintaining compliance and organization of your verifications will help to ensure a hassle-free tenant-landlord relationship, where safety of the tenants is concerned. Be vigilant in keeping all safety records in order and available for immediate presentation to authorities, and contact the Health & Safety Executive for all current tenant safety requirements prior to letting your property.

If you are concerned about the potential expense of bringing your property up to requirements for letting, contact your local councils and housing associations for assistance. Many will provide grants or loans, and may agree to lease and manage your property on your behalf.