Landlords FAQ
Yes, you must inform your mortgage provider before renting out your property. They will need to grant you permission and might set specific terms. If you’re purchasing a property to let out, you might need a buy-to-let mortgage instead.
Seek assistance from a letting agent to assess the value of your property. At Your Move, we specialise in the market and can provide insights into rental trends in your area, along with expected rental yields.
The cost varies depending on the level of support you require. Your Move provides three primary service tiers: Tenant Find, Rent Collection, and Fully Managed. Each tier offers different levels of service, with corresponding fees.
All landlords may be required to pay tax on their rental income, regardless of whether they reside in the UK or are located overseas. More details can be found on the HM Revenue & Customs website.
The tenant is generally responsible for council tax, unless it is explicitly included in the rent, as specified in the tenancy agreement. If the property is unoccupied, it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay the council tax.
Typically, it is the tenant’s responsibility, as stated in the tenancy agreement. However, if the landlord provides a TV in the furnished property, they are expected to cover the TV licence fee.
Opting for a fully managed service provides peace of mind. You can completely unwind, knowing all aspects of the tenancy are taken care of professionally. It creates a professional barrier between you and the tenant, sparing you from handling challenging issues such as rent arrears and deposit disputes.
If you opt for a Rent Collect or Fully Managed service, we arrange for the tenant to pay rent via standing order or direct debit. After deducting our commission and any expenses (like maintenance fees), we transfer the balance to your account. You’ll receive a monthly statement detailing these transactions.
Landlords and letting agents are obligated to register tenants’ deposits with an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. At Danco Estate, we register deposits with a scheme such as My Deposits. The deposit is then held by either the landlord, the agent, or the deposit scheme itself. This scheme ensures the tenant’s money is protected and assists in resolving any disputes that may arise at the end of the tenancy.
In a periodic tenancy (rolling on a weekly or monthly basis), you generally cannot increase the rent more than once a year without the tenant’s agreement. For a fixed-term tenancy (running for a specific period), you can only increase the rent if your tenant agrees to the change.
If you wish to remove your tenant and they refuse to vacate the property, you will need to take legal action.
An inventory is a comprehensive record of your property’s contents and condition before the tenant moves in. It serves as essential documentation in case of disputes over damages at the end of the tenancy, providing evidence of the property’s original condition and its contents.
We highly recommend opting for a professional inventory as it safeguards your property and constitutes a crucial part of the contract between you and your tenant. It documents the property’s condition at the start and end of the tenancy, essential for preventing deposit disputes.
The tenant is responsible for repairing any damage they cause, or the cost of repairs is deducted from their security deposit at the end of the tenancy. However, fair wear and tear should be taken into account.
You are required to give the tenant adequate notice before entering the property.
A routine visit occurs when the landlord or letting agent notifies the tenant in advance of their intention to inspect the property to ensure it is being properly maintained and to identify any potential maintenance issues.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides a detailed assessment of a property’s energy efficiency. It assigns a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years.
It is mandatory for landlords to obtain an EPC before letting out a property. Since 1st April 2018, rented properties must achieve a minimum EPC rating of E. Renting out a property that fails to meet this requirement is illegal and could result in a penalty of up to £4,000.
There are several cost-effective methods to improve your property’s EPC rating. Switching to energy-saving lightbulbs is a straightforward change. Ensure your loft insulation measures at least 270mm and that any cavity walls are adequately insulated.
For more significant improvements, consider replacing old, inefficient boilers, installing modern controls such as room thermostats, or incorporating renewable technologies like solar panels. These upgrades can enhance your property’s energy efficiency rating but may involve higher initial costs.
A Gas Safety Record (GSR) ensures that all gas appliances, pipes, and flues are safe and functional. It must be conducted annually by a certified Gas Safe Register engineer to comply with regulations.
Yes, you are required to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) conducted before letting out your property to comply with legislation.
It is advisable to conduct a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) to ensure the safety of the appliances provided for the rental.
You should ensure that all furnishings meet furniture and furnishing regulations. Compliant furniture must display standard labels prominently to mitigate fire risks within the property.
Yes, the law mandates the installation of a functioning smoke alarm on every floor.
The Right to Rent scheme, implemented nationwide in England in February 2016, ensures that individuals renting property in the UK have legal permission to reside here. At Danco Estate, we have integrated these checks into our referencing process for many years. However, landlords conducting their own checks must now obtain acceptable proof of residency or face potential fines. If we are not currently handling tenant checks for you, we are available to discuss how we can assist you with this process.
ARLA Propertymark is the foremost professional and regulatory organisation for letting agents in the UK. It focuses on enhancing standards and professionalism within the lettings industry to safeguard consumers. It’s important to note that letting agents are not legally regulated, but Your Move voluntarily chooses to be a member of a regulatory body.
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is an independent entity where landlords can escalate complaints if their agent fails to resolve them satisfactorily. We are original members of TPO.
Client Money Protection (CMP) ensures compensation for landlords, tenants, and other clients in cases where agents mishandle or misappropriate rent, deposits, or other client funds. Your Move is covered by CMP through ARLA Propertymark.