• The property should be clean and tidy prior to commencement of the tenancy and in good decorative order throughout. The property should be left as you would wish to find it if you were a tenant.
• HOME LETS reserve the right to prepare the property for letting in accordance with present legislation Fire and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988. The Gas Safety (Installation & use) Regulations 1994 and Electrical (Safety) regulations 1994. All related to costs to be debited from rental monies.
• You are obliged to ensure that the property is maintained in good order throughout the tenancy. At commencement you are required to hold relevant Gas/Electric Test Certificates for all appliances which must then be renewed on an annual basis for Gas and at regular intervals for electric.
• Copies of Gas and Electric Safety Certificates must be provided to HOME LETS prior to the tenant taking up occupation. Should same not be provided two days before commencement of the tenancy, HOME LETS will carry out the relevant tests and charges deducted from my rental income.
• Mains services should be connected prior to letting.
• If maintenance of a garden forms part of a tenants covenant you should leave it as you wish to find it on your return and leave necessary tools for upkeep.
• Consent of the Mortgagee/Lender and if a leasehold property, the Freeholder must be obtained prior to letting. In the absence of any instructions from you on this point we will assume that you have dealt with this directly.
• The property must remain insured for buildings and your own contents throughout the tenancy, you should ensure that the insurance covers rented accommodation (HOME LETS will be pleased to provide a quotation on request).
• Rent received is treated as taxable income under schedule D with certain allowances for agents commission/insurance premiums/repairs. for landlords non UK resident other provisions apply. If you are non UK resident or become so during the letting, you must advise HOME LETS it is necessary for us to deduct income tax at the basic rate and pay to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis unless we hold an exemption letter from the Inland Revenue (FICO forms to apply for exemption available from Home Lets). In the event  that HOME LETS are involved in retention of Tax and payment of receipts to Inland Revenue you hereby agree to indemnify HOME LETS against such and or related expenses.
• Where the rental is paid by Housing Benefit, the Landlord undertakes to indemnify HOME LETS within seven days of demand for payment against all claims, costs and expenses of whatever nature made by Housing Benefit.
• All rentals quoted are inclusive of ground rent and maintenance but exclusive of community charge/water rates and services.
• In the event of tenants default whether purely as to payment of rentals or breach of other covenants/conditions, fees charged by HOME LETS do not cover legal fees or other legal costs. HOME LETS are able to offer a range of insurance policies that will cover same - please ask for details/quotation. In the event that HOME LETS are required to apply to the Courts for Possession or Warrant of Possession please refer to heading of additional services.
• HOME LETS shall not be liable for any deficiency, loss or damage to the property/fixtures/fittings or the contents howsoever caused.
• In the event of a party introduced by HOME LETS subsequently purchasing the property whether before or after entering into a tenancy agreement, commission will be payable to HOME LETS on completion of the sale at the rate of 2% of the selling price, subject to a minimum fee of £850 + VAT.
• HOME LETS use Bank Line Autopay - Computer Banking - for safe, quick credit to your chosen bank account. Where bank details are not provided - HOME LETS will make a charge of £3.50 per transaction.

back to top

Fire Regulations

The Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993
The above regulations came into force on 1st March 1993 for ALL property coming onto the rental market for the first time.

Furniture that must comply with the regulations must have a label clearly showing that the item(s) is/are fire resistant. Any new or additional furniture being put into a property from 1st March 1993 must comply with the regulations immediately. The relevant information must be marked on the inventory.

As from January 1997 all property available forental "in the course of trade" must have furniture complying with the regulations, from this date any furniture not complying will have to be removed and replaced.

Many firms are at present offering to spray upholstered furniture to ensure that it is fire retardant and will comply with the fire regulations. The DTI has stated that this is not the case and the only way was to check if the furniture complies will be to test it (ie set fire to it) thus defeating the object of the exercise. Please do not, therefore, have any items sprayed.

ITEMS INCLUDE: Settees/Chairs/Beds/Pillows/Cushions
Please note that labels must not be cut off, even if you feel them to be unsightly.
Note: Furniture pre 1950 does not need to conform.

LIABILITY FOR BREACH
There are no penalties if the landlord, who is the owner/occupier (that is the principal residence) fails to comply with fire regulations. If an investor landlord fails to comply, the penalty is up to £5,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.


back to top

Electric Appliances

Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1989

The regulations state that all equipment must be SAFE. The definition of SAFE is that not only must there be no RISK of death or injury to humans, but also that there be no RISK of causing either death or injury to domestic animals or any damage to property.

ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN RENTED PROPERTY MUST COMPLY NOW THERE IS NO PHASING PERIOD.

WHAT APPLIANCES ARE COVERED? All electical equipment including any electrical apparatus designed or adapted for use with low voltage.

This covers for example: KETTLES. TOASTERS. SPIN DRYERS. TELEVISION SETS. IMMERSION HEATERS. COOKERS.

There is no set time given for testing, although HOME LETS have contacted Croydon and Bromley Trading Standards who both advise that they require testing on an annual basis.

ALL LANDLORDS should make immediate arrangements to have appliances tested by a NIC EIC contractor, details should be made available to Trading Standards, HOME LETS and Tenant on request.

LANDLORDS must advise HOME LETS in writing whether you wish HOME LETS to be responsible for arranging testing and keeping appropriate records. The cost of testing and necessary works will be deducted from relevant monthly rentals.

Each item should carry a label stating it has been tested/name of tester and date, in addition an instruction booklet for each appliance must be supplied to the tenant (in English) and noted on the inventory.

LIABILITY FOR BREACH
If there is a danger to animals or risk of damage to the property the penalty for contravention of regulations is a fine not exceeding £5,000 and/or period of imprisonment not exceeding three months.

If there is risk of injury or death to humans the fine is still £5,000, but the period of imprisonment rises to six months.


back to top

Gas Appliances

As of 31st October 1994, it became law for Gas Equipment in rented properties to be checked ON AN ANNUAL BASIS by a Corgi Registered installer.

Landlords should maintain a record of when each appliance was checked, together with defects found (if any) and remedial action.

ALL LANDLORDS Must comply with regulation 35 by making immediate arrangementsto have appliances tested, DETAILS MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE TENANT (October 1996 amendment) certificates should be made available to Trading Standards Officers and Home Lets on request.

LANDLORDS must advise Home Lets in writing whether you wish Home Lets to be responsible for arranging testing and keeping the appropriate records. The cost of testing and necessary repairs to be deducted from relevant monthly rentals.

An instruction booklet for each appliance must be supplied to the tenant (in English) and noted on the inventory.

Please note that a British Gas Service Contract IS NOT a Gas Safety Certificate. A Gas Safety Certificate must be obtained from a Corgi Registered Installer.
LIABILITY FOR BREACH
The fine if found guilty, after prosecution is not mentioned in the regulations, but is similar to other regulations it will be £5,000 and/or six months imprisonment. back to top