The Gas Safety (Installation & Use)
Regulations 1998
This regulation has been introduced to cover any
gas appliance or installation in rented properties that
must be checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered
plumber and a landlord’s safety certificate issued. A
copy of the Gas Safety Certificate must be given to the
tenant.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private
Sector (England) Regulations 1st June 2020 - NEW!
These new Regulations require landlords to have the
electrical installations in their properties inspected and
tested by a person who is qualified and competent
at least every 5 years. Landlords or their agent must
provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their
tenants, and to their local authority if requested.
Smoke Detection & CO Alarms
Since the 1st October 2015 landlords are required to
fit mains-powered smoke alarms, one to each floor.
With effect from the 1st October 2015, landlords will
be required to have working smoke alarms on every
floor of their property and carbon monoxide alarms in
rooms where a solid fuel heating system is installed.
Alarms must be tested at the start of every new tenancy.
Landlords should make an informed decision and
choose the best alarm for their circumstances and
property.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety)
Regulations 1988 (as amended 1989, 1993)
It is an offence to supply furniture and furnishings in
the course of business that do not comply with the
regulations concerning fire resistance and they must
pass the ‘match test’. Generally, products manufactured
after March 1989 will satisfy the required standards and
a label or warranty should be visible.
Overseas Landlords
A landlord is considered an ‘overseas landlord’ for tax
purposes if they are out of the country for more than
six months as a total in any tax year. Landlords are
obligated to pay tax if it is due and must declare their
income whether or not they are resident in this country.
An application, form NRL1, can be made to HMRC for
the agent to pass on gross rental income (i.e. without
deductions for tax)
Energy Performance Certificates for
Dwellings in the Social and Private Rented
Sectors
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required
prior to a property being advertised to let. Landlords
must provide an EPC certificate free of charge to
prospective tenants to view and a copy must be
provided to the person who takes up the tenancy.
The EPC is valid for 10 years and can be re-used as
many times as required within that period, however as
of the 1st April 2018, all ratings must have a minimum
energy performance rate of E.
Legionella Risk Assessment
Landlords of residential accommodation have
responsibilities for combating Legionnaires’ Disease.
Health and safety legislation requires that landlords
carry out risk assessments for the Legionella bacteria
which cause Legionnaires’ Disease and thereafter
maintain control measures to minimise the risk. Most
rented premises will be low risk but it is important that
risk assessments are carried out and control measures
introduced.
Right to Rent
On 1 February 2016 the parts of the Immigration Act
2014 dealing with a ‘right to rent’ came into force in
England and Wales. Under the scheme, landlords must
not allow a person/s to occupy premises unless they
have a ‘right to rent’. You can be fined for breaking
the law, but you will have a defence if you take proper
steps to check the identity and immigration status of
people authorised to live at your property. Abacus
Letting Services will ensure through the referencing
company, Rent-4-Sure, that all the necessary checks are
undertaken to make sure prospective tenants have the
legal right to rent your property.
