What are the rights and responsibilities of a landlord?
His rights
An owner must:
- maintain the rented property in a safe condition and without risk to health
- ensure that all electrical and gas installations are correctly installed and maintained
- be able to provide an energy performance certificate for the property
- protect the deposit of the tenant
- verify that the tenant has the right to rent the property if it is in England
- give the tenant a copy of the official guide - published by the government: How to rent
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His responsibilities
An owner is responsible:
- the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and their proper functioning
- compliance with fire safety rules
The council may decide to assess the health and safety risks of a property (The Housing Health and Safety Rating System - HHSRS) - following a local property investigation or if the tenant requests it.
His financial responsibilities
An owner must pay:
- a tax on its rental income
- insurance (Class 2 National Insurance) if its rental activity is declared in business
If there is a mortgage on the property, the landlord must obtain authorization from their mortgage lender before offering it for rent.