The latest figures from letting agents suggest that the UK still has a healthy appetite for renting. With demand so high, first-time tenants may feel rushed into a decision without fully understanding the legal obligations or what to expect from the landlord.
Christian Harper of Chiswick-based lettings agent OliverFinn: “The prospect of renting can be daunting whatever your age or experience. As an OliverFinn tenant you are dealing with true professionals.
"We are licensed members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) so you’re protected against bad practice. We are also full members of The
Property Ombudsman Lettings Scheme.
"This gives you another route to redress should you feel standards have not been met."
ARLA has the following advice to help those unfamiliar with renting make their experience as smooth and trouble-free as possible:
1. Lettings is an unregulated industry: The rental industry is not subject to any central Government legislation, meaning that anyone can set up as a letting agent or landlord. For peace of mind, do your research and seek advice from a letting agent affiliated to a professional organisation like ARLA. All member agents must adhere to a strict code of conduct, as well as offer tenants money protection and redress schemes, which help protect if things go wrong.
2. Your deposit should be secure: Typical deposits range from anywhere between four to six weeks’ rent. This should be paid by your landlord or agent into one of three government-approved tenancy deposit schemes. It is a legal requirement that the landlord or lettings agent protects the deposit in this way. Tenants can find out more at
Gov.uk.
3. A professional inventory can help protect you: A detailed inventory compiled at the start of the tenancy assists in assessing any costs that may be deducted from your deposit at the end of your contract. Be present when the inventory is being done; if that’s not possible, insist on seeing a copy to ensure you agree with what has been noted. If there are photographs make sure they are good quality and reflect accurately any items captured. All documents should be signed and agreed by both landlord and tenant.
4. There are different kinds of tenancy agreement: Many shared tenancies contain a joint liability clause and this means you are responsible for the actions of your co-tenants for the duration of the tenancy. This includes covering their share of the rent if they were to unexpectedly move out. Before you enter such an agreement consider how well you know your sharers. And if you are asked for a guarantor when sharing, then make sure that they understand that they are guaranteeing all your responsibilities contained in the tenancy agreement.
5. Meeting safety standards: Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure gas safety is checked annually. Make sure you have seen the gas safety certificate and instructions for all electrical items. Also check to see if all soft furnishings comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations 1988 and are fire safety compliant. Look for the fire safety label on all furnishings.
6. Energy performance certificates: Energy Performance Certificates should be given to you by your landlord or agent before you move into a new property. This will show how energy efficient a property is.
7. Carrying out repairs: Advise your landlord or managing agent when things need fixing to avoid bigger problems in the future. Landlords are responsible for most repairs to the exterior or structure of a property including problems with the roof, chimney, walls, guttering and drains, as well as electrical, heating, hot water and sanitary installations. For minor repairs and maintenance the tenant is usually responsible, but any changes – like re-decorating – should be pre-approved by your landlord.
8. Pay bills: Other than paying the rent on time, tenants need to ensure they are paying bills, which are not included in the tenancy agreement. In most cases these include council tax, utilities, TV licence, Internet and telephone charges. Tenants must also check their tenancy agreement as some landlords will forbid any change to utilities supplier.
Read
Why rent through OliverFinn? What we do for you that others may not.
Christian Harper of Chiswick-based lettings agent OliverFinn: “The prospect of renting can be daunting whatever your age or experience. As an OliverFinn tenant you are dealing with true professionals.
"We are licensed members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) so you’re protected against bad practice. We are also full members of The Property Ombudsman Lettings Scheme.
"This gives you another route to redress should you feel standards have not been met." ARLA has the following advice to help those unfamiliar with renting make their experience as smooth and trouble-free as possible:
1. Lettings is an unregulated industry: The rental industry is not subject to any central Government legislation, meaning that anyone can set up as a letting agent or landlord. For peace of mind, do your research and seek advice from a letting agent affiliated to a professional organisation like ARLA. All member agents must adhere to a strict code of conduct, as well as offer tenants money protection and redress schemes, which help protect if things go wrong.
2. Your deposit should be secure: Typical deposits range from anywhere between four to six weeks’ rent. This should be paid by your landlord or agent into one of three government-approved tenancy deposit schemes. It is a legal requirement that the landlord or lettings agent protects the deposit in this way. Tenants can find out more at Gov.uk.
3. A professional inventory can help protect you: A detailed inventory compiled at the start of the tenancy assists in assessing any costs that may be deducted from your deposit at the end of your contract. Be present when the inventory is being done; if that’s not possible, insist on seeing a copy to ensure you agree with what has been noted. If there are photographs make sure they are good quality and reflect accurately any items captured. All documents should be signed and agreed by both landlord and tenant.
4. There are different kinds of tenancy agreement: Many shared tenancies contain a joint liability clause and this means you are responsible for the actions of your co-tenants for the duration of the tenancy. This includes covering their share of the rent if they were to unexpectedly move out. Before you enter such an agreement consider how well you know your sharers. And if you are asked for a guarantor when sharing, then make sure that they understand that they are guaranteeing all your responsibilities contained in the tenancy agreement.
5. Meeting safety standards: Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure gas safety is checked annually. Make sure you have seen the gas safety certificate and instructions for all electrical items. Also check to see if all soft furnishings comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations 1988 and are fire safety compliant. Look for the fire safety label on all furnishings.
6. Energy performance certificates: Energy Performance Certificates should be given to you by your landlord or agent before you move into a new property. This will show how energy efficient a property is.
7. Carrying out repairs: Advise your landlord or managing agent when things need fixing to avoid bigger problems in the future. Landlords are responsible for most repairs to the exterior or structure of a property including problems with the roof, chimney, walls, guttering and drains, as well as electrical, heating, hot water and sanitary installations. For minor repairs and maintenance the tenant is usually responsible, but any changes – like re-decorating – should be pre-approved by your landlord.
8. Pay bills: Other than paying the rent on time, tenants need to ensure they are paying bills, which are not included in the tenancy agreement. In most cases these include council tax, utilities, TV licence, Internet and telephone charges. Tenants must also check their tenancy agreement as some landlords will forbid any change to utilities supplier.
Read Why rent through OliverFinn? What we do for you that others may not.
