LANDLORDS INFORMATION
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How long will it be before my property is rented?
Compass main aim is to attract the right tenant and will ensure the property is marketed before it
becomes vacant therefore avoiding any long periods where the landlord is without rent.
Income Tax
When the landlord is resident in the UK, it is entirely his or hers responsibility to inform the Inland
Revenue of rental income received, and to pay any tax due. However, where the landlord is resident
outside the UK during a tenancy, under new rules effective from 6th April 1996, unless an exemption
certificate is held, we as landlord’s agents are obliged to retain and forward to the Inland Revenue
on a quarterly basis, an amount equal to the basic rate of income tax from rental received, less certain
expenses. Further information can be obtained from the Inland Revenue website.
Consent from Lender to Freeholder
If the property to be let is subject to a mortgage or other loan, it is usually necessary for the landlord
to obtain permission from the lender. The landlord must continue to make arrangements for loan
repayments as we cannot accept responsibility. If the property is leasehold, you may need to obtain
permission from the Freeholder or managing agent before the property is let.
Important Safety Regulations
The following safety requirements are the responsibility of the owner (the Landlord), and where we
are to manage the property, they are also ours as agents. Therefore to protect all interests we ensure
full compliance with the appropriate regulations, at the owner’s expense.
Gas Appliances & Equipment
Annual safety check: Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Gas Safe
Register which came into force 1st April 2009 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation
must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12
months by a competent engineer (e.g. Gas Safe Registered).
Copies to tenants: A copy of the safety certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new
tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being
carried out.
Electrical Safety Checks
The Government has now brought in detailed regulations for five-year electrical safety checks in the
private rented sector from the 1st July 2020. These state that all new private tenancies will need to
ensure that electrical installations are inspected & tested by a qualified person before the tenancy
begins. The landlord will then need to ensure that the installation is inspected and tested at least
every five years (more often if the most recent safety report requires it). For existing tenancies, an
electrical safety test will need to be carried out by 1st April 2021, with regular tests following this as
outlined above. Once the electrical installation has been tested, the landlord must; (1) Ensure they
receive a written report from the person conducting the inspection, which includes the results and
the required date for the next inspection. (2) Supply a copy of this report to each existing tenant
living in the property within 28 days of the inspection. (3) Supply a copy within seven days to the
local authority, if requested. (4) Keep a copy of the report until the next inspection, and give a copy
to the person undertaking the next inspection. For new tenancies, the landlord must (1) Give a copy
of the most recent report to a new tenant before the tenant occupies the property. (2) Give a copy
of the most recent report to any prospective new tenant who requests the report in writing, within
28 days of receiving such a request.
Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) provide
that specific items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistant
standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards and mattresses,
sofa beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a
dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows, and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique
furniture or furniture made before 1950, bed clothes including duvets, loose covers for mattresses,
pillow cases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Therefore all relevant items as above must be checked
for compliance, and non-compliant items removed from the premises.
EPC Certificates
Landlord must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for new tenants. If you are renting out
your property (buy to let), you will need to provide a certificate to any perspective tenant. The EPC
once obtained, is valid for 10 years, thus if a Valid Energy Performance Certificate still exists when
changing tenants a new certificate is not required. All rented properties must be a minimum rating of
EPC band E or above. Compass can arrange for an EPC to be carried out on your behalf, please ask for
further details.
Legionnaires Disease
Landlords have responsibilities for combating Legionnaires’ disease. Health and safety legislation
require that landlords carry out risk assessments for the Legionella bacteria which cause Legionnaires
disease and thereafter maintain control measures to minimise the risk. Most rental premises will be
low risk but it is important that risk assessments are carried out and control measures introduced.
Compass will arrange for a risk assessment to be carried out when needed on managed properties.
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
The government implemented the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, part of the new legislation governing
residential lettings from the Housing Act 2004. It is mandatory for the deposit or bond for a property
to be paid to a third party who will resolve any disputes if there are any regarding the return of this
money at the end of the tenancy.
This is seen as a fair way of ensuring that a tenant or whoever pays a deposit is entitled to get all or
part of it back and the end of the tenancy. Where tenancies are created on or after the 6th April 2007
there will be a legal obligation on the landlord to pay the deposit or ‘bond’ obtained for the property
to a Government accredited Scheme Administrator who will hold it securely throughout the duration
of the tenancy.
The Landlord must advise the tenant in advance which accredited scheme the deposit is to be lodged
with.
Insurance
You should ensure that you are suitable covered for letting under both your buildings and contents
insurance. Failure to inform your insurers may invalidate your policies.
Money Laundering
Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2003, both landlords and tenants are required to provide
identity and proof of residency.
Preparing The Property For Letting
We have found from experience that a good relationship with tenants is the key to a smooth running
agency. As Property Managers the relationship part is our job, but it is important that the tenants
should feel comfortable in their temporary home, and that they are receiving value for their money.
Our policy of offering a service of quality and care therefore extends to our tenant applicants too.
At Compass we firmly believe quality properties attract quality tenants.
General Condition
Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water systems must be safe, sound and in
good working order. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord’s expense unless misuse can be
established.
Appliances
Similarly, appliances such as washing machines, fridge/freezers, cookers, dishwashers etc., should be
in usable condition. Repairs and maintenance are at the landlord’s expense unless misuse can be
established.
Decorations
Interior decorations should be in good condition, and preferable, plain, light and neutral.
Furnishing
There is no monetary difference between letting a furnished or unfurnished property. However we
recommend that you leave only a minimum furnishings and these should be of reasonable quality. If
you are leaving your property unfurnished then we recommend that the property contains carpets,
curtains and a cooker.
Personal Item, Ornament etc.
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. Should be removed from the premises especially
those of real sentimental value. All cupboard and shelf space should be left empty for the tenant’s
own use.
Gardens
Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish free, with any lawns cut. Tenants are required to
maintain the gardens to a reasonable standard.
Cleaning
At the commencement of the tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly clean condition and at the
end of each tenancy it is the tenant’s responsibility to leave the property in similar condition. Where
they fail to do so, cleaning should be arranged at their expense.
Mail Forwarding
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service. Applications forms are
available at their counters or visit www.postoffice.co.uk/redirection, and the cost is minimal.
It is not the tenant’s responsibility to forward mail.
Information For The Tenant
If is helpful if you leave information for the tenant on operating the central heating and hot water
system, washing machine and alarm system, and the day refuse is collected etc.
Keys
You should provide one set of keys for each tenant. Where we are managing we will arrange to have
duplicates cut as required.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill
Sales, Lettings and Block Management
