Jargon Buster
SAFE AS HOUSES
We take the stress out of letting property. We will ensure you comply with all the latest legislative requirements:
Furniture and Furnishings
Any soft furnishings in let property must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). Generally soft furnishing manufactured after March 1990 will comply although must have the relevant labels. Any unlabelled furniture is deemed non compliant (unless it is antique horsehair filled and has not been reupholstered). Letting a property with non compliant furniture is a serious offence which could lead to prosecution of the landlord and managing agents.
Electrical Equipment and PAT testing
Under various legislation all portable electric items require testing before each tenancy. We will arrange for this to be done with a suitably qualified external contractor. The cost will be landlord responsibility.
Electrical Installations
The electrical installation will need to be tested before the beginning of the first tenancy. Any works to ensure that the system is safe will need to be carried out. It is, however, not necessary for electrical installations to be tested on an annual basis and we will arrange for them to be re-tested on the recommendations of the electricians. This is normally after 5-10 years.
It is essential that we have test certificates and reports. We will, therefore, arrange for an electrician to carry out the necessary tests at the appropriate time. If you would prefer to do this yourself, the documentary evidence must be provided to us. Even if you have had an inspection carried out but are unable to supply the certificate it will be necessary to have the tests carried out again.
Central Heating, Boilers and All Gas Appliances
The Gas Safety Regulations require all gas appliances to be serviced and the landlord (Management Agent in the case of managed properties) provided with a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate on an annual basis. We will normally arrange for these to be carried out. If you make your own arrangements your Property Manager will require a valid copy of the gas certificate before the first tenancy can commence and then on an annual basis thereafter. If we are not provided with certificates and/or they expire we will arrange for an immediate inspection. We will not be able to start a tenancy without a valid certificate if required.
Deposits & The Dispute Service
The deposit is a minimum of £100 more than the months rent. The purpose of the deposit is to cover damage to the property over and above normal wear and tear and/or any rent arrears or costs incurred as a result of a breach of the contract.
The 2004 Housing Act prevents landlords from holding their own deposits. Hunters are members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. All deposits relating to Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be held under the rules of the TDS in the case of managed properties. Deposits in the case of let only properties will be the responsibility of the Landlord to register and to provide proof of membership of one of the other insured or custodial schemes. Deposits relating to tenancies which are not Assured Shorthold Tenancies are not part of the scheme although will be dealt with along the principles of the scheme.
At the end of the tenancy we will check the property carefully. We are required to agree deductions between Landlord and Tenant and we will do everything we can to reach agreement. If agreement cannot be reached the matter will be referred to the TDS for arbitration. Both landlord and tenant must accept the decision of the Independent Case Examiner.
EPC
From the 1st October 2008 all buildings whenever sold, built or rented need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This is a Mandatory requirement. The certificate provides energy efficiency A-G ratings and recommendations for improvement. The ratings similar to those found on products such as fridges are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type.
Hunters Residential Lettings have an obligation to allow prospective tenants access to the EPC. We can provide this for you as part of our service. We can discuss this as and when you instruct Hunters.
Find your local branch
