Landlord Responsibilities
From 30th April 2006, all private landlords must have registered with the local authority. This mandatory registration process has been implemented to ensure that landlords are 'fit and proper persons'. You can register or check if your landlord is registered by visiting the Landlord Registration website.
The responsibilities of the landlord should be embodied within the Tenancy Agreement. If they are not included however, or there is no written agreement, certain key responsibilities still apply. These are summarised as followed.
- A landlord must provide the tenant with their name and address and/or contact details of their agent if they have one.
- A rent book must be provided if the tenant is to pay rent weekly and receipts must be issued for any cash payments.
- A minimum of 24 hours notice in writing is required if a landlord needs access to a tenanted property to carry out an inspection or non-emergency repairs. Notice is not required for emergency repairs.
- A landlord should ensure that the property is wind and watertight.
- A landlord must ensure that the property and it contents are safe in terms of gas, electricity and furniture regulations.
- A landlord must follow the correct procedure to remove a tenant from a property.
- Landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation must be licensed.
A more detailed summary of the legal requirements that private landlord must comply with is contained in the downloadable summary - follow the link in the downloads menu to the right.
