FAQ

CP12 GAS CERTIFICATE
This is a legal requirement. Our fee is £60 (No VAT payable).

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE (EPC)
This is a legal requirement. Our fee is £60 (No VAT payable).

ELECTRICAL SAFETY CERTIFICATE QUOTE
This is recommended. Fee dependent on work required – a quote can be arranged

PAT TESTING QUOTE
Portable Appliance Testing. Recommended if providing white goods. Fee dependent on number of appliances to be tested – a quote can be arranged

ALL OTHER
We can also arrange quotes for minor and major repairs, redecorating, professional cleaning, flooring and double glazing from our reputable and long standing maintenance team. Please do not hesitate to speak to us about these services.

Yes, we can undertake all viewings for your property if you wish or alternative you can conduct viewings we book for you yourself.

There are a number of legal requirements you, as a Landlord, must adhere to. As a Landlord you are responsible for ensuring a number of checks are in place before you can let, or even market your property. You are also obliged to follow a number of good practice procedures designed to protect both the Landlord and tenant.

Here is a brief overview of the checks required.

Right to Rent

From the 1st of February 2016, landlord's are legally required to check that their tenants have the 'right to rent' a residentially property in England. Before the start of a new tenancy, you must make checks for all tenants aged 18 and over, even if they’re not named on the tenancy agreement. Checks include obtaining a tenant's original documentation stating they have a right to live in the UK, checking them for authenticity as far as reasonably possible. A copy must be made with the date the check has been made noted and kept for one year after the tenancy has ended. Depending on which is the longest, you must make a further check just before either the expiry date of your tenant’s right to stay in the UK or 12 months after your previous check however, you won’t have to make a further check if your tenant doesn’t have any time restrictions on their right to stay in the UK.

EPC

Since the 1st of October 2008, by law in England and Wales, all properties for let require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Properties rented this time do not require an EPC until the property is next rented. An EPC is only required for self-contained properties and gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides information about your property's energy use and typical energy costs as well as recommendations on how to reduce energy use and save money. It is valid for 10 years. An EPC must be made available to prospective tenants and a copy of the certificate given to any tenant who moves into the property

Gas Safety

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.
If you let a property equipped with gas appliances you have three main responsibilities:

Maintenance: pipework, appliances and flues must be maintained in a safe condition and should be serviced according to manufacturer's instructions.

Gas safety checks: a 12 monthly gas safety check must be carried out on every gas appliance/flue.

Record: a record of the annual gas safety check must be provided to your tenant within 28 days of the check being completed or to new tenants before they move in. Landlords must keep copies of the gas safety record for two years.
All checks must be undertaken by an operative registered with the Gas Safety Register.

Fire Safety

Where a landlord controls flats, bedsits or hostels there must be a risk assessment in place to comply with the Fire Safety Order. It should be in writing. A statutory risk assessment is not required for shared houses or single dwelling lets.
Where fire alarm systems are provided in a house in multiple occupation the landlord is responsible for insuring fire alarms are checked regularly. You must also make sure that the means of escape from the property (normally the halls stairs and landings) are unobstructed.
If you provide soft furnishings then they must comply with Fire Safety Regulations

Electrical Safety

No formal electrical safety check is required unless your property is a house of multiple occupation in which case a five yearly electrical safety check by a competent electrician is required.
Where a property is provided with electrical appliances it is the landlords responsibility to make sure that they are safe at the outset of letting and operating instructions are supplied to the tenants.

HMO License

If your property is a house in multiple occupation (e.g. bedsits, shared house or a shared flat) and if the property is on three or more floors with five or more occupants an HMO licence may well be needed from the local authority.

Utilities Accounts

For long term tenancies (6 months+) you are responsible for checking that tenants have set up accounts with utilities companies, telephone suppliers, council tax and TV licensing. If you have any queries about your responsibilities, we are here to help. We offer advice as well as, under your instruction, carrying out the necessary checks on your behalf. If you would be interested in our services please do not hesitate to contact us and we will arrange this for you.

Yes, you can determine the length of a tenancy although the standard tenancy we provide is a 6 month Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). You can also add additional terms to be include in the agreement as you wish.