Legal Requirements
We will ensure that you are aware of your legal obligations on becoming a landlord – and can help you to comply with all current relevant legislation.
EPC- Energy Performance Certificate
All properties available for sale or to let must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This provides an energy efficiency rating for a property, and also shows the environmental impact of the building, by indicating its carbon dioxide emissions.
Gas Safety
(Installations and Use) Regulations 1994 (amended 1996 and 1998). When you rent out your property, it is your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances in the property and gas installation pipe work are safe for the use of the tenant. In order to ensure this, your tenant must be furnished with a record showing that a gas safety check has been carried out. The purpose of this is to safeguard against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and to ensure the wellbeing of the tenant and safety of the property. We can arrange for this to take place prior to tenant handover by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
Electrical Equipment
If you decide to leave some electrical equipment for the use of the tenant when you let your property, you must ensure it is safe and of no risk or injury to human or animal. This means that manufacturers have to insert a CE marking on packaging to confirm the appliance has been tested and is safe under the regulations. Once the appliance is 12 months old, the easiest way to ensure the safety of it, is to have a qualified NICEIC registered electrician perform a portable appliance test. This is renewable annually and can also be arranged by Alexander Greens.
Smoke Alarms
If you are renting out a property in Scotland, you must ensure that you have a smoke alarm in the property before the tenant moves in. In England and Wales, the Building Regulations require all properties built after June 1992 to have a mains connected smoke alarm. Older properties should have battery operated smoke alarms.
Money Laundering Regulations
Before we let your property, it is important that we know who you are and that you are the legal owner of the property. This allows us to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations. At the time of completing your instruction form, formally appointing us as your letting agent, you will be asked to provide two forms of identification, one of which needs to be a new style driving license or passport showing your photograph and the other a document showing your address.
Consent to Let
If you have a mortgage you must obtain consent from your mortgage lender. If your interest in the property is leasehold, your lease may require you to obtain consent from your landlord prior to sub letting.