Landlords' responsibilities listed
Property professionals
20th November 2008
A list of duties and responsibilities for landlords has been given by the National Landlords Association (NLA).
The NLA published the list after research by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) showed that there has been a growth in new landlords letting out their homes rather making a loss by selling.
Concerned that such "reluctant landlords" may not be prepared for their duties, the NLA warned them to check they have permission from their bank or building society to let the property and whether their insurance covers their doing so.
Landlords must also be sure to keep a tenant's deposit safe and adhere to gas and fire safety requirements, as well as considering whether a written tenancy agreement is necessary.
Rics has said that rents are experiencing downward pressure as the market becomes "flooded" with people places properties they cannot sell into the rental sector.
Spokesperson James Scott-Lee noted that many sellers have had to become "amateur landlords".
Those taking the action may need to consider insurance for buildings.
