When renting out your property to tenants, there are specific responsibilities you will have to meet as a landlord. We explain what these are in more detail below.
Before anyone can move into your property, you must verify the tenant’s UK residency status to ensure they have a legal right to live in the UK. This is a ‘right to rent’ check and applies to agreements made on or after February 1, 2016. A passport or residence document is acceptable, while non-EU nationals must show a passport that confirms their right to be in the UK.
Once the tenancy is due to begin, landlords must provide the following:
A copy of the How to Rent Guide must also be given to tenants on an assured shorthold tenancy.
Landlords must place tenancy deposits into a government-accredited scheme (Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme) within 30 days of receipt and provide the tenant with full details of the organisation. They also have to inform them of the process that can be followed if there is any dispute about the amount returned at the end of the tenancy.
Not using a deposit scheme could lead to the tenant claiming compensation and will make it more difficult for you to end the tenancy.
This only applies to assured shorthold tenancies as lodger’s deposits do not require protection.
As stated in the tenancy agreement, the landlord will be responsible for any repairs and maintenance required during the tenancy.
If you wish to inspect the property, check its condition, carry out repairs, or allow a professional to do so, you must:
The landlord is also responsible for ensuring the safety of tenants during their stay in the property and its grounds. This includes:
If rent is collected weekly, landlords must have a rent book to help record payments. Rent increases must be made in writing. Rent can be increased if the tenant:
Landlords must follow the notice periods laid out in the tenancy agreement. If they are not followed, and the landlord removes the tenant from the property early without the correct process being followed, it could be considered an illegal eviction, and the tenant could seek compensation.
In eviction cases, the landlord must seek a court order before any bailiffs can be used to force the tenant from the property.
On a periodic tenancy, if the tenant wishes to leave before the agreed notice period, they must first seek the landlord’s approval.
As you can see from the points above, there are many responsibilities that you must follow when letting out a property. Therefore, many landlords often use a letting agency to help them manage their property. This means that the letting agent will take care of some or all of the landlord’s responsibilities, from simply letting the property and collecting the rent to taking care of the property and any tenant disputes.
If you’re thinking of letting a property in North West London, our local property lettings specialists are ready to help. We’ve helped landlords in Willesden, Dollis Hill, Neasden, Harlesden and throughout North West London find perfect tenants for the past 20 years. So whether it’s your first property letting or you have the whole portfolio waiting for the right manager, contact our lettings agents today!