Protecting landlords with property management

With our property management services, you can rest assured knowing that protecting landlords and tenants is at the heart of what we do. If you’re a landlord, this protection comes into play the moment you look to us to market your property, continuing to a tenant moving into their new home, and all through the tenancy agreement.

So, you might ask, how do we do this? We start by recommending our landlords use our fully vetted and credential-checked contractors. All our preferred contractors hold the correct qualifications for their line of work, and Public Liability Insurance to a minimum of £5 million. We also request our contractors sign and adhere to a modus operandi of how to behave in our properties. We set the bar as high as if it is our very own property they are working in.

Of course, it does not end there. We ensure that all the relevant compliance and legislative certificates are in place before and during the tenancy, as per the following.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
All properties require a valid EPC on file before marketing the property with a minimum of an E for rental properties. This shows the property’s energy efficiency and what steps you could take to improve this.

Electric Inspection Condition Report (EICR)
By law, residential landlords need to commission a new EICR every five years (or earlier as detailed on the EICR report). They must reissue a valid copy to the tenants at the beginning of each new tenancy, and/or when there is a change of tenants. Each tenant of the property must receive a copy of an EICR within 28 days of it being issued (or prior to moving in if a new tenant) and the landlord must keep a copy to show for inspections, or to the local authority if asked.

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
A Gas Safety registered engineer must inspect all gas services on an annual basis. The gas safety certificate must also be obtained and kept on record, with the tenants receiving a copy of the report.

Smoke Alarm
The landlord has a responsibility to fit the correct alarms and ensure they are in working order. Smoke alarms must be on each floor with a room used as living accommodation.

Carbon Monoxide Detector                            There must be a working and in-date CO2 monitor in each room of the property housing a gas or solid fuel burning appliance, with the only exception, the cooker hob.

Legionella
Landlords must assess and control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria within their property, by performing a Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA).

Furniture and Furnishings
Any furniture and furnishings within a tenanted property must adhere to fire and safety regulations.
Fitness for Human Habitation Act. The Act requires landlords to ensure their property is fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy, and then maintain this standard throughout the rest of the time the tenant lives in the property. The Act aims to protect vulnerable tenants and work towards eradicating issues such as cold, damp, and unsafe living conditions in rental accommodation.

Repairing Obligations
Landlords must keep the structure and exterior of the tenanted house in working order throughout the tenancy, making basic repairs if they arise.

With over 150 pieces of current legislation governing the private rented sector, choosing a Letting and Property Agent who is Property Mark affiliated is a must. We actively support all members of our team to gain their qualifications. We feel it is essential to learn and grow, ensuring the right team is in place to manage and protect your greatest financial asset.

If you’d like to find out what our Letting and Property Agent team can do for you, please feel free to pop in or call your nearest office, or contact us by email, here.