Landlord Responsibilities

As a landlord you must do the following

• keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
• make sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
• provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
• protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
• check your tenant has the right to rent your property if it’s in England
• give your tenant a copy of the How to rent checklist when they start renting from you (you can email it to them)

There are different rules if you rent out property in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a landlord have not changed because of coronavirus. However, you should follow the government’s coronavirus advice.

Read the coronavirus and renting guidance for tenants and landlords. via visiting the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities  

Fire safety

It’s your responsibility to:

• fit and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
• follow fire safety regulations for property in a purpose-built block of flats or for houses and property adapted into flats
• Ensuring any furniture meets The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulation 1988 - as amended 1993

Health and safety inspections

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is used by your council to make sure that properties in its area are safe for the people who live there. This involves inspecting your property for possible hazards, such as uneven stairs.

If you own a property and rent it out, the council may decide to do an HHSRS inspection because:

• your tenants have asked for an inspection
• the council has done a survey of local properties and thinks your property might be hazardous

HHSRS hazard ratings

Inspectors look at 29 health and safety areas and score each hazard they find as category 1 or 2, according to its seriousness.
You must take action on enforcement notices from your council. You also have the right to appeal enforcement notices.

The council can do any of the following if they find a serious hazard:

• issue an improvement notice
• fix the hazard themselves and bill you for the cost
• stop you or anyone else from using part or all of the property

Financial responsibilities

• Income Tax on your rental income, minus your day-to-day running expenses
• Class 2 National Insurance if the work you do renting out property counts as running a business

If you only occasionally rent out your property or part of your home (for example through short-term rental apps), check if you need to tell HMRC about this income. via visiting the following link https://www.gov.uk/check-additional-income-tax

If you have a mortgage on the property you want to rent out, you must get permission from your mortgage lender.

Property Licensing

Owners of properties situated in an area designated for Property licensing must apply for a Private Rented Property Licence (PRPL), to be issued by the local Council.

Owners of houses classed as HMOs, which are a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ (for example a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s sometimes called a ‘house share’.

If you want to rent out your property as a house in multiple occupation in England or Wales you must contact your council to check if you need a licence.

You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO in England or Wales. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply:

• it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household
• some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
• at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them)

Even if your property is smaller and rented to fewer people, you may still need a licence depending on the area. Check with your council.