DECORATION AND FURNISHINGS • All decorations should be fresh and neutral colours to give the property a broader appeal. • All unfurnished properties should have carpets/ suitable floor coverings, curtains and light fittings. • In a furnished property, all furniture must comply with the Fire & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This includes: • sofas • chairs • beds (mattresses and headboards) • all soft furnishings (except carpets and curtains) • Kitchen appliances – the usual requirement is a cooker with space for other appliances. All appliances left should be clean and in good working order and remain the landlord's responsibility. • Remember, a better quality of presentation is likely to attract better tenants. BATHROOMS Sanitary fittings should be modern, clean and in good working order. To prevent any water leakage, which may be costly, always make sure the installation is professional and check seals around baths, basins and showers. SECURITY Does your property have ground-floor or accessible first-floor windows? It may be worthwhile installing window locks, especially for vulnerable groups such as women living alone or sharing. It will also give the property a good marketing advantage. If there is an alarm, it should be operational, well maintained and, by law, have a 20-minute cut-out bell/siren. Smoke alarms should be mains connected, as batteries can be removed, and should be installed in all rental properties. By law, all houses must have a working smoke detector installed and where applicable a CO2 alarm.
Use the property as a single private dwelling only. • Not to keep animals, To obtain consent from your mortgage lender to let your property. If prior consent is not obtained, it may compromise your loan. • To inform the Inland Revenue that the property is let and to comply with the statutory obligation to declare the taxable income. You must obtain an exemption certificate if you are not a UK resident. We hold the appropriate NRL1 forms in our offices. • To ensure that all gas appliances in the property are tested in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 and that the required certificates are issued. We would also advise testing the electrical circuits and all appliances left at the property. Please contact us for details of a recommended local contractor. • To ensure that all furniture and soft furnishings in a furnished property comply with the Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. • To obtain consent from your insurers to let your property. Your insurance may be invalidated if prior consent is not granted. • To maintain the exterior and fabric of the property in a good standard of repair. GARDENS Gardens should be left in a neat condition. If any particular shrubs/plants are of value, remove these – a tenant may not consider them as important as you do! With larger gardens, we may advise leaving a lawnmower and gardening tools at the property so the tenant has no excuse for not maintaining the gardens. • Maintain the garden to the same standard as when they moved in. • Not to alter, change or install any locks on any doors. The rent you receive on your property is known as investment income and is liable for tax. However,
certain expenses can be offset against tax: • Mortgage interest on capital borrowed • Water rates • Legal fees for renewing a tenancy
Agent’s management fees and advertising costs, etc. • Insurance premiums for building and contents • Cost of valuation for insurance • Ground rent and service charges (leasehold flats) • Normal repairs and redecoration
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