A guide for Landlord's legal requirements when renting or letting property. 

It seems that every year there is some new legislation for landlord's to adhere to when letting property. Below we've written a quick guide to what you are legally required to provide your tenants with, in regard to gas safety, electrical safety and energy performance of the property.

Gas safety requirements for landlords - The quick version You will need a gas safety certificate to cover your gas appliances. You need to renew it annually. You need to keep a copy for 2 years and provide your tenants with a copy. If you keep a copy in the property then they all have access to it. Open an account with Serviceteam and we'll store it for you online and make it accessible whenever you like, to whom ever you like.

Gas safety requirements for landlords - The long version Landlords must arrange maintenance by a Gas Safe Registered engineer for all pipework, appliances and flues, which they own and have provided for their tenants use. Landlords must also arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Landlords must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in.

Electrical safety certificates Technically, there is no such thing as an electrical safety certificate. The certificate being referred to is most likely a Periodic Inspection Report. It is not a legal requirement to hold an electrical certificate for any property you are letting. So, you can take a calculated risk by not getting one. However, it will probably help your case if the tenant tries to hold you liable for an electrical accident in the property. Some estate agents may require you to provide a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR). In which case the guidelines are that this document should be renewed every 5 years.

PAT testing A PAT test or Portable Appliance Test. Again, not a legal requirement. However, if your tenant gets electrocuted by a kettle with a frayed cord that you have provided, you are likely to be held liable. Our advice is to make sure you provide as few electrical appliances in the property as possible. So, while you may have to provide a fridge, do you really need to provide a microwave, vacuum cleaner and kettle? Probably not. So remove them, put them on ebay and get a PAT test for anything with a plug that remains in the house.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) You'll only need one of these if you are looking for a new tenant. It's now a legal requirement to market the property with an energy rating. So you'll probably need to supply the lettings agent with one. But it will cover you for 10 years. If you keep the same tenant, you don't have to provide an EPC.