Prop Man Flashcards
EPC’s
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 introduced
Minimum energy efficiency standards 2018
Resi
minimum rating - E
minimum rating C by 2030 - proposed
commercial
Minimum rating - E
Minimum rating B by 2030 - proposed
AST
Housing act 1996
Landlord Obligations
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)
Right to enter
You have a legal right to enter your property to inspect it or carry out repairs. You must give your tenants at least 24 hours’ notice, although immediate access may be possible in emergencies. Your tenants have the right to stay in the property during the repairs.
You’re normally responsible for repairs to:
the structure of your property
basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings
heating and hot water systems
anything you damage through attempting repairs
Major repairs
You can ask tenants to move out during major repairs. Before this happens, you should agree in writing:
how long the works will last
the tenants’ right to return
details of any alternative accommodation
Can rent be increased
For a periodic tenancy (rolling on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis) you can usually only increase the rent once a year.
For a fixed-term tenancy (running for a set period) you can only increase the rent if your tenancy agreement permits this. Otherwise, you can only raise the rent when the fixed term ends.
How to increase rent
How you can increase the rent
If a fixed-term tenancy agreement says how the rent can be increased, you must stick to this.
For a periodic tenancy, you can:
agree a rent increase with your tenants and produce a written record of the agreement that you both sign
complete Form 4: Landlord’s notice proposing a new rent, giving your tenant at least a month’s notice
How to settle issues with tenants
Speak to your tenants about your concerns.
If this does not work, write a formal letter setting out the problem.
Use a mediation service, which is usually cheaper and quicker than going to court.
As a last resort, you can take your tenants to court.
What should a tenancy agreement include
the names of all people involved
the rental price and how it’s paid
information on how and when the rent will be reviewed
the deposit amount and how it will be protected
when the deposit can be fully or partly withheld, for example to repair damage caused by tenants
the property address
the start and end date of the tenancy
any tenant or landlord obligations
which bills your tenants are responsible for
It can also include information on:
whether the tenancy can be ended early and how this can be done
who’s responsible for minor repairs (other than those that the landlord is legally responsible for)
whether the property can be let to someone else (sublet) or have lodgers
How to evict
You must give your tenants written notice that you want the property back (‘notice to quit’) and the date they must leave. The notice period you give them must be at least 2 months for section 21 notices.
Eviction process
Give your tenants a Section 21 notice if you want the property back after a fixed term ends. Give them a Section 8 notice if they’ve broken the terms of the tenancy. Find out how to give Section 21 and Section 8 notices.
Apply to the court for a standard possession order if your tenants do not leave by the date specified on the notice and they owe you rent. You can apply for an accelerated possession order if you’re not claiming any unpaid rent.
Apply for a warrant for possession if your tenants still will not leave - this means bailiffs can remove the tenants from your property.
