Letting your property can be an exciting yet busy time, with plenty to organise. Fitzjohn focuses on making the process as smooth as possible.
To ensure both you and your tenant are satisfied, it’s essential to meet all legal requirements and prepare your property to the highest standards.
We’ve compiled a list of critical steps that will guide you through the necessary preparations, ensuring you remain compliant while offering the best possible experience for your tenant.
For more personalised guidance or to discuss your letting options, give our office a call today – we’re here to help every step of the way!
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for all properties and must be provided to your tenants on the day they move in. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of your property and suggests improvements that could reduce running costs for your tenant.
If your property doesn’t already have an EPC, you’ll need to obtain one before marketing it to let. Without providing your tenant with this certificate, you could face complications, including difficulties evicting them in the future.
Keeping Your Property Safe and Compliant
As a landlord, the safety of your tenants is paramount, and meeting the necessary safety standards is not just a legal obligation but also a crucial part of providing a secure home. Failing to comply can lead to heavy fines or even imprisonment. Here’s what you need to ensure before letting your property:
Gas Safety Certificate
If your property has a gas supply, a valid gas safety certificate must be provided to your tenant, and annual renewals are required.
Smoke Alarms
You’re legally required to install smoke alarms on every floor. Keep in mind that most alarms, including hard-wired ones, need replacing every ten years.
Electrical Safety
A qualified electrician must perform an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) every five years to ensure the electrical systems are safe. A satisfactory report must be given to your tenant.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install carbon monoxide detectors in every room with a fuel-burning appliance. We recommend an additional detector near the boiler for added peace of mind.
We can arrange all the necessary safety checks, making sure your property is safe and fully compliant with legal standards. Let us help you protect your tenants and stay on the right side of the law.
How to Rent Guide
Before a new tenancy begins, it’s a legal requirement to provide your tenants with the UK Government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide. This essential document helps tenants understand their rights and responsibilities.
The guide covers key topics such as:
• What to look out for before renting a property.
• Living in a rented home and maintaining it properly.
• The process at the end of a tenancy, including deposit return.
• What to do if things go wrong during the tenancy.
Failing to supply this guide to your tenant could result in legal issues down the line, including complications with evictions.
We ensure every tenant receives this vital document, protecting both you and your tenants. If you need assistance with this or have any questions, we’re here to help.
Protecting Your Tenant’s Deposit – It’s the Law!
As a landlord, you’re legally required to protect your tenant’s deposit in a Government-backed tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it. This ensures both parties are safeguarded, with clear rules on how the deposit will be managed throughout the tenancy and returned at the end.
At FitzJohns, we take the stress out of this process. As a registered agent with the Deposit Protection Service, we’ll ensure your tenant’s deposit is adequately secured and all paperwork is completed on time.
By adhering to these rules, you’ll avoid potential legal disputes and help build trust with your tenant from the start. If you need assistance with deposit protection, we’ve got you covered—get in touch.
Stay Compliant with Prescribed Information
Once you’ve received your tenant’s deposit, there’s one more legal step you must follow: providing the Prescribed Information. This document explains where and how the deposit is protected and outlines the process for its return at the end of the tenancy. It must be given to your tenant within 30 days of receiving their deposit.
Failure to provide this crucial information can lead to penalties, including restrictions on evicting a tenant if necessary.
We ensure that all the Prescribed Information is delivered correctly and on time, giving you peace of mind that your tenancy is fully compliant with the law. Let us handle the details so you can focus on letting your property with confidence.
Selective Licensing
The Peterborough Selective Licensing Scheme launched on 11 March 2024; this means that property owners who privately rent their properties in designated areas of the city need to apply for a licence.
The Housing Act 2004 gives councils the power to require residential Landlords to obtain a licence to let properties to tenants within a designated area. The aim is to improve the quality of life for all in the area by ensuring a consistently high standard of management of privately rented homes.
This makes a positive contribution to the area. The designated area has a high level of private rented housing. The criteria to be considered as ‘high level’ is for an area to have above 23.5% private rented housing. If this level is reached, selective licencing can be introduced if an area satisfies one or more of the following conditions:
• Low housing demand (or is likely to become such an area)
• A significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour
• Poor property conditions
• High levels of migration
• High levels of deprivation
• High levels of crime
Selective Licensing is a scheme that requires most privately rented properties to be licensed. This means that houses need to be licensed if they have one or two tenants or a family living there. Although the
legislation refers to ‘houses’, this does cover a variety of housing types, such as flats. The scheme provides for the regulation of ‘houses’ as defined by Section 99 of the Housing Act 2004.
Ready to Let? We’re Here to Help!
At Fitzjohn, we understand that letting a property can be overwhelming, but with the proper guidance, it doesn’t have to be. By following the steps above, you’ll ensure your property is fully prepared, legally compliant, and set for a successful tenancy.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any part of the process—whether it’s arranging safety checks, protecting deposits, or ensuring all documentation is in order—our team is here to help.
Get in touch with our office today, and let us take the stress out of letting your property. We look forward to working with you!
