Before you decide to let out your property you need to check what permissions you need, and whether you are complying with the legal requirements for letting?
Legal Requirements Before Letting
If your house or flat is mortgaged, then you must obtain permission from the lender before renting out the property.
You also need to comply with legal regulations, including having a EICR and a gas safety and service certificate, while ensuring there are working smoke alarms on every floor as well as carbon monoxide monitors by fires/gas-burning devices (not by the hob). You are also recommended to have done portable appliance testing and have had a Legionella Risk Assessment on the property. If you are letting it furnished, then any upholstered furnishings (e.g sofas, beds/mattresses, chairs with cushions) must adhere to the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
Is Landlord Insurance Mandatory?
Contents insurance isn’t mandatory, but it is advisable. Buildings insurance, however, is a requirement.
A standard buildings insurance policy covers fire, flood and theft, structural issues, built-in or fitted elements such as kitchens and bathrooms, along with furniture, curtains and carpets.
You can take out additional cover (rent and legal protection) for things like unpaid rent, legal expenses, and boiler repairs.
If you are letting out a flat, then building’s insurance will be covered by the block’s management company. But carpets, appliances and furnishings will not be covered – so you may want to take out contents insurance.
If you are letting out a house, you might want buildings and contents insurance. Any contents insurance should also include public liability insurance.
Good to Have Sorted Out…
You should ensure that any repairs to your property are completed before you market it.
It needs to be presentable and clean, with relatively good paintwork, clean carpets, functional fixtures and fittings, no unpleasant smells, and, as a minimum, lampshades and curtains.
Extractor fans in bathrooms are not mandatory if there is a window, but they are recommended to avoid issues with mould and condensation.
The garden ideally will be low-maintenance and tidy. You can oblige the tenants to mow and weed the garden. Lopping and pruning tends to be the landlord’s responsibility. Perimeter fencing must be in good order, and we recommend filling-in any ponds, both for safety and maintenance reasons.
Keep outside passageways clear and remove any belongings not pertinent to the property. No one wants to live with someone else’s junk!
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