To comply with your obligations, we strongly recommend a full electrical safety check is carried out by a suitably qualified electrician in accordance with the regulations to protect both the landlord and the tenant. As a result, an electrical safety certificate will be produced which can be held on file as evidence of your compliance and this should be repeated every 5 years. We further advise that a visual inspection and safety check on fixed appliances (i.e. electric oven) is carried out at regular intervals during the interim period, which will also be recorded for both the landlord’s and tenant’s protection.
Please note that any check may result in recommendations or obligatory modification of electrical installation or appliances.
We would further advise that copies of operating and safety instructions for all equipment in your premises should be retained at the property. If you do not have these you can generally download copies from the manufacturers.
Organise an annual gas safety check on all installation and gas appliances including boilers and flues with a suitably qualified plumber and retain records for a minimum of 2 years
A copy of the gas safety certificate must to be given to a tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out and all new tenants must be given a copy of a valid certificate
Our management agreement gives the landlord the option of electing us to make arrangements for gas safety checks and servicing, or undertaking the organization himself.
Since June 1992 all new residential properties are required to have mains interlinking smoke alarms on each floor. At present there are no statutory regulations for properties constructed prior to this date but to comply with the code of ‘good practice’ we therefore recommend that a battery-operated smoke alarm is installed on each floor of your rental property. If you choose to follow our advice, we can arrange for this to be carried out. Our standard tenancy agreement has a clause to protect our landlords, provided the device is fitted, and a further clause to prohibit smoking in the property and communal areas inside the building.
It is also a landlord’s responsibility to check with their freeholder that adequate measures have been taken to comply with the safety guidelines in common areas and written confirmation should be supplied to your managing agent for their records. Information to support our recommendation can be located on www.assuredfiresafety.co.uk
We can organize all safety checks, servicing and installation of smoke alarms, etc. by suitably qualified personnel - prices are available on request
Whether or not we are instructed to arrange any safety checks, please note that the landlord maintains overall responsibility for all safety procedures duties
The Tenant Deposit Protection legislation was introduced on 6th April 2007 and has proved to be efficient and successful. In essence, a landlord has a statutory obligation to protect a tenant’s deposit at the start of a tenancy. On termination of that tenancy the landlord and tenant have to agree on any deduction for damages, etc. within a specified time scale; if mutual agreement cannot be reached, the appropriate body of independent arbitration needs to deal with the amount in dispute and their decision is final and must be accepted by both parties. Although this is a rare occurrence should the need to seek arbitration arise, Crowstone Estates could act for the landlord but would require a fee which is available on request. More detailed information can be obtained by viewing www.tenantdepositscheme.co.uk
Although seldom the case, should the need arise to take legal action to repossess a property, Crowstone Estates will issue the necessary papers to the tenant and lawyer but the landlord will be responsible for all resulting court costs and legal fees.
As a result of new money laundering laws introduced in October 2007, lawyers will need certain personal papers before acting on your behalf with any legal application.
A Non Resident Landlord number can be obtained from the Inland Revenue to avoid this deduction. Agents’ fees and other management costs qualify as tax deductible from rental income.
We recommend that you seek advice from the accountant or solicitor instructed to act on your behalf or, alternatively, contact your local tax office.
