Dec
Landlord responsibilities when renting out a property
As a landlord you must:
keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
make sure all gas equipment and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
check your tenant has the right to rent your property if it’s in England
give your tenant a copy of the How to rent checklist when they start renting from you (you can email it to them)
Fire safety
It’s your responsibility to:
fit and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
follow fire safety regulations for property in a purpose-built block of flats or for houses and property adapted into flats
Health and safety inspections
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is used by your council to make sure that properties in its area are safe for the people who live there. This involves inspecting your property for possible hazards, such as uneven stairs.
If you own a property and rent it out, the council may decide to do an HHSRS inspection because:
your tenants have asked for an inspection
the council has done a survey of local properties and thinks your property might be hazardous
HHSRS hazard ratings
Inspectors look at 29 health and safety areas and score each hazard they find as category 1 or 2, according to its seriousness.
You must take action on enforcement notices from your council. You also have the right to appeal enforcement notices.
The council can do any of the following if they find a serious hazard:
issue an improvement notice
fix the hazard themselves and bill you for the cost
stop you or anyone else from using part or all of the property
Financial responsibilities
You may have to pay Income Tax on your rental income, minus your day-to-day running expenses. There are different rules if you are in the Rent a Room Scheme.
You may be able to pay voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 National Insurance.
If you only occasionally rent out your property or part of your home (for example through short-term rental apps), check if you need to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about this income.
Regulated tenancies
There are special rules for changing rents and terms for regulated tenancies (usually private tenancies starting before 15 January 1989).
Please check .gov website for any updates
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