Tenancy Legislation that you and your clients need to be aware of

As a letting agent, it is important to be aware of the legislation that governs your landlord clients’ rights and responsibilities. Failing to comply with these laws can result in legal action and financial penalties. In this blog, we will discuss some of the key legislation that landlords must adhere to.

Housing Act 1988

The Housing Act 1988 sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in the private rented sector. This legislation covers a range of issues including the payment of rent, the length of tenancy agreements, and the return of deposits.

Under this Act, landlords are required to provide tenants with a written tenancy agreement, which outlines the terms of the tenancy. Landlords must also provide their tenants with a rent book, which records the amount of rent paid and any arrears.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Landlords are legally required to ensure that all gas appliances, including boilers, gas fires, and cookers, are safe to use. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require landlords to have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Landlords must also provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate, which confirms that the appliances have been checked and are safe to use.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Landlords are required to provide their tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they move in. This certificate shows the energy efficiency of the property, and includes recommendations for making the property more energy efficient.

Landlords must have an EPC rating of at least E before they can rent out their property. If the property has a rating of F or G, it cannot be rented out until improvements are made.Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

From 1st July 2020, landlords in England are required to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified electrician at least every 5 years. This is to ensure that the electrical installations are safe for use.

Landlords must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants within 28 days of the inspection. They must also provide a copy of the report to their local authority if requested.

Right to Rent

Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords are required to check the immigration status of their tenants before renting out their property. This is to ensure that tenants have a legal right to rent in the UK.

Letting agents must check the identity documents of all adult tenants, and make sure that they are genuine and that the tenant has the right to rent in the UK. Agents or landlords who fail to carry out these checks can face fines and even imprisonment.

This legislation is designed to protect both landlords and tenants, and failure to comply with these laws can result in serious consequences. Business Rock provides white label property management to letting and estate agents based in and around London. We can provide vetted and approved contractors to carry out safety checks and certificates as well as any remedial or preventative works to ensure your property is safe and compliant. We can also provide tenancy related legal advice, deposit dispute resolution and serving of notices and certificates to tenants.

To find out more call the Business Rock team on 0207 100 4236.