Many landlords are familiar with the lettings process and desire a quick and efficient responsive service. LetsMoov believe that good communication is pivotal in this type of service and as such maintain contact with landlords and tenants alike on a day-to-day basis.

LEGAL MATTERS

Legal and safety requirements are an absolute necessity in renting out your property. Below are the following guidelines for your reference.

Gas Safe Registration 1st April 2009

As at the 1st April 2009 the 'Gas Safe Register' has been implemented to replace 'CORGI'.

Only a Gas Safe Registered engineer is legally allowed to install gas appliances, boilers, hobs, ovens or fires in your home or workplace.

For more information, please visit: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/default.aspx

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) 1st October 2008

As from the 1st October 2008, landlords will be required to instruct an Accredited DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) to grade their property on energy efficiency. This must be provided to the tenants before a new tenancy commences.

This legislation has been designed to reduce the amount of carbon emitted from a property in order to reduce energy consumption levels. The report itself will include details of CO2 emissions, running cost indicators, recommendations for improvements as well as improvement cost indicators. The EPC’s will be graded on a scale of A – G and is set out in the form of a chart describing energy efficiency and environmental impact.

The inspection itself takes around 45 minutes to complete but obviously varies slightly according to the size of the property. The certificate will be valid for 10 years at which point it will then need to be renewed.

An EPC will be required for each individual property let from the 1st October 2008. This excludes properties with existing tenants and properties consisting of more than one rented room.

Gas Safety (Installations & Use) Regulations 1998

The Gas Safety (Installations & Use) Regulations 1998 requires a landlord to carry out an annual inspection on gas appliances in each of their let or managed properties as a statutory duty. A current landlord gas safety certificate must also be retained by the landlord.

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

All electrical appliances within a property should be made ‘safe’ by a landlord before tenanting the property. There are no statutory inspection regulations however it is advised that all electrical appliances are checked regularly.

Fire & Furnishings Regulations 1998

These regulations apply to all soft furnishings including beds, mattresses and upholster furniture. Please refer to each individual labels for guidance on their fire resistance quality. Traditional and antique furniture made before 1st January 1950 are exempt from these regulations.

Landlords Insurance

Landlord’s contents insurance is recommended to cover household goods, furniture & appliances. We recommend FCC Paragons Landlords Contents Insurance which comprehensively covers telephones, gas and electric cookers etc. For further details, please contact us and we will be happy to refer you to a broker who will provide you with a quotation. Landlord’s buildings insurance can also be obtained via FCC Paragon.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

As at 6th April 2007 all security deposits taken have to be covered by a tenancy deposit scheme. There are two types of tenancy deposit schemes; Insurance based scheme or Custodial scheme. Within 14 days of the tenancy, details of tenancy deposit scheme being used and their contact details and advice on what their procedure is if a dispute occurs must be provided to the tenant. At the end of the tenancy the condition of the property is to be checked and both landlord and tenant must agree on the refunded amount which should be repaid in no more than 10 days.

For further information on any of the above, please contact us and we will supply accordingly.