What happens to my mail during the tenancy?
We would strongly advise that the Royal Mail re-direction of post is arranged by you before you leave, as neither Whites, nor the tenant can be held responsible for your mail. However, any post that is delivered to our offices by the tenant, will be redirected/forwarded by us, as appropriate – we are only able to guarantee this for the first two months after the property is let.
Combination central heating/hot water boilers
Where a gas or oil combination boiler is fitted to providehot water on demand, landlords should be aware that there is no hot water tank with an immersion heater upon which tenants can rely for hot water in the event of a breakdown. Tenants can usually be persuaded to survive for a few days without central heating necessary; we can provide them with plug-in electric heaters or similar) but lack of hot water makes everyday living very difficult unless there is an electric shower to complement the system. In this situation, it is very important that the central heating engineer attends immediately and repairs the system in order to avoid claims for rent refunds, etc. If you have your own nominated engineer, but he cannot respond the same day, then we would normally book one of our recommended engineers to cover the emergency. Landlords should also be aware that combination boilers run on a pressurised system. Gradually, the pressure will drop due to water evaporation and/or escape of air from the system, and the system will need repressuring from the cold water main filling loop. This is not something which a tenant or agent can be expected to do as a qualified central heating engineer should do it. The system will cut out if the pressure drops too low and equally, over pressurising it will cause damage. Tenants are instructed to call the office if the pressure gauge drops below a certain level and landlords should be aware of the additional maintenance requirements of a pressurised system. The majority of residential lettings by private landlords are “Assured Shorthold Tenancies” introduced under the Housing Act 1988 (revised 1996). This legislation provides stronger rights for the landlord to let a property without the fear of not being able to gain possession of the property when required. To achieve this, certain conditions must be met and the tenancy set up correctly by the agent. What protection is given by the Housing Act 1988?
Do I need to have any certificates for my electrics?
It is mandatory for all properties to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which must be updated every five years. As a landlord you must ensure that the electrical system and all appliances supplied are safe; failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence. We strongly recommend that a Periodic Inspection Report is carried out by a qualified electrician. This will highlight any areas of concern and make recommendations for any work that needs to be carried out.
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