What am I responsible for as a landlord?

Landlords are responsible for providing a safe, habitable property for their tenants. But we understand it isn’t always easy to decipher what falls under your to-do list and what is expected of your tenants.

At Simmonds Mortgage Services, we regularly help landlords prepare for their buy-to-let mortgage applications, but we’re also here to help you understand your obligations so you can protect your investment and prepare for new tenancies.

Simmond’s checklist of landlord responsibilities

Below, we break down your main responsibilities as a landlord.

Pre-tenancy agreement

Before your tenant moves in, you must make sure everything is in place to legally let the property. You must provide a clear, written tenancy agreement (contract outlining your and your tenant’s responsibilities).

The tenancy agreement includes:

• Names and addresses of both the tenant and landlord
• Property address
• Type of tenancy
• Tenancy start and end dates
• Rental amount and payment terms
• Outline of landlord and tenant responsibilities
• Security deposit details

Health and safety standards

As a landlord, your top priority is providing a safe home for your tenants. This means meeting fire safety standards and making sure everything is in safe working order. You’ll need to provide working smoke alarms on each floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas or oil boiler or a wood-burning stove.

You’ll face a number of health and safety and regulatory standards, which will differ depending on the type of property you let out.

Any furniture you provide must meet fire resistance regulations. You’re also responsible for identifying and managing risks such as damp, mould, and trip hazards. These aren’t just good practices – they’re part of your legal responsibilities.

Managing tenancies

Once tenants move in, your role continues. It’s your job to maintain professional, transparent communication throughout the tenancy. You’ll be in charge of collecting rent, finding new tenants between tenancies, and handling disputes or repairs.

By making sure your tenants know exactly what’s expected of them, you will save yourself hassle down the line when it comes to challenges like unpaid rent or maintenance issues.

Repairs and maintenance

While tenants are responsible for keeping the property tidy and dealing with minor repairs like changing lightbulbs or filling holes, it’s your job to keep the place habitable.

You should always give tenants reasonable notice (at least 24 hours) before entering the property, whether it’s for repairs, safety checks, or general inspections.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

In England and Wales, private landlords must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate rating of E or above. A higher energy rating directly correlates to a more energy-efficient home, which lowers running costs and appeals to tenants.

The government plans to increase energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes by 2030, at which point landlords will have to provide an EPC of C or higher. Putting the effort in now to improve the energy efficiency of your property will help you transition for when these rules come into effect.

Gas and electricity certificates

Landlords are legally responsible for providing a gas safety certificate and maintaining yearly checks from a Gas Safe registered engineer, who will check gas appliances and systems. If there are any faults, then you must fix the issue straight away to make sure you comply with regulations.

Licensing and insurance

Lenders will require you to arrange insurance and liability cover in case tenants are injured on your property or you need to cover the costs if the property becomes uninhabitable or needs to be rebuilt. Without it, you could face serious financial repercussions. It protects you and your tenants and covers any unexpected damage to your property.

Not all policies are equal. It’s important to check what exactly is included in your insurance policy to make sure you are getting the best possible cover in all circumstances, including protection against events like fire, flooding, theft, and natural disasters. It’s also worth finding out if your policy will cover you for loss of rental income if tenants have to find alternative accommodation.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

If you rent property as an assured shorthold tenancy, you must protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) Scheme. You’ll have a 30-day window to do this after receiving the funds. The deposit is there to cover any damage or unpaid rent when the tenancy ends.

You must also provide your tenant with details of how and where the deposit is protected. If you don’t follow these rules, you could lose your right to issue a Section 21 notice, and your tenant may claim compensation of up to three times the deposit amount.

Tenant responsibilities vs landlord responsibilities

There’s a lot to consider and arrange when renting property, and it’s crucial you know what you’re responsible for.

Use the table below to quickly break down yours and your tenant’s responsibilities so you know where you stand. Keep note of everything you’ve done and set reminders for recurring checks like gas and electricity. And, if it gets too much, consider working with a property management company to take the load off.

Looking to mortgage a new property investment? Get in touch with Simmonds Mortgage Services

Knowing your responsibilities is just one piece of the rental puzzle. Simmonds Mortgage Services has access to specialist mortgage lenders from across the market. We’ll help you find the right mortgage for your property investment. Call us on 01184 693037 or book a meeting to get started.

Further reading:

• How to become a landlord
• How to set up a limited company as a landlord