Advice for landlords

Important information for all landlords and letting agents:

Landlords and letting agents are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all of your properties by law.

An EPC contains information about the property’s energy usage and typical energy costs and recommendations on how to reduce energy and save money. They give a property an ‘energy efficiency’ rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and are valid for 10 years. They are required whenever a property is built, sold or rented.

A landlord or letting agent must be able to provide a valid EPC to any prospective property owner or tenant. If not, Trading Standards officers can impose a fine of up to £200.

Single dwellings

Landlords should ensure their tenants have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout the building. There should be a smoke alarm on each floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance.

Landlords should also ensure that tenants have access to a safe and reliable fire escape route and that the property is safe from fire hazards for example making sure that any furniture and furnishings provided meet safety standards and are appropriately labelled. It is also important to ensure that any electric and gas installations are safe throughout the tenancy.

Landlords have fire safety responsibilities, and it is good practice to provide a fire safety plan.

Shared properties and HMO’s

Landlords should ensure their tenants in shared properties or HMO’s are safe from fire similar to those in single dwellings.

It is a legal requirement for landlords to undertake a fire safety risk assessment to protect renters in their property. This risk assessment must now be recorded in writing and reviewed on a regular basis.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service have provided some useful information and guidance on how you can complete the risk assessment and make your property safe for those who live there.

Starting a tenancy

Government redress scheme, getting your property ready to rent, what tenancy to use, assured shorthold tenancies, right to rent, rules on pets and information you must provide to your tenant.

During a tenancy

Landlords responsibilities, access during the tenancy, tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment, tenants responsibility for repairs, redoration by the tenant, subletting and claiming housing benefit.

Ending a tenancy

How to end a tenancy, end of a fixed tenancy period and moving out at the end of a tenancy.

Advice for landlords

Single dwellings

Shared properties and HMO’s

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