Rights and Duties of Landlords

Tenants have the right to live comfortably. The landlord has to take care of the technical security of the house. He must also periodically check the state of the technical appliances and inform the tenant about them.

If the parties know their rights well, the contractual relationship will not cause too much trouble in the future. Under the law, both parties have a list of rights. Let's look at them in more detail.

Responsibilities of the homeowner

Even if you have tenants living in your home, you have the right to access your home. You can also make repairs to it, bring in repairmen and servicers. But you have landlord's duties to exercise these rights unhindered. 

If you need to get into your home, you must notify your tenant 24 hours in advance of the actual visit to the home. If he or she gives his or her consent, then you can get into your home.

When it comes to landlord’s rights, the exception is for emergencies. If something happens in the house that is a danger to the neighbors and to the technical condition of the house, you have the right to break open the door and get into the house to fix a fire or flood.

Before you rent your home, in addition to the inventory check, you must also do a number of preparations that ensure your tenants are comfortable.

Safety of electrical circuits. Electrical inspections are done before tenants move in, as well as during the tenancy. As long as tenants are living in your home, you have the right to have an electrical inspection no more than once every 5 years. If you have recently conducted an electrical inspection of your home, you do not have to do so once the new tenants move in.

Landlord’s responsibilities also include fire safety. To accomplish this, you need to take care to have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If the home is heated with solid fuels, there should also be mandatory safety devices.

It is also the owner's responsibility to ensure gas safety. Gas pipes and appliances must be inspected every 12 months. Your tenant has the right to demand a copy of the inspection certificate from you. Keep each certificate for at least 2 years.

If you have questions about your own rights and responsibilities, it is recommended that you contact to one of property inventory companies for detailed advice.

Important points in the contract

It is fine if you have been able to achieve landlord-tenant relationship. But in practice sometimes there are disputable situations. Often the reason for misunderstandings is a lack of balance while respecting the rights and obligations of each party. The laws of England and Wales clearly state the rights and obligations of tenants, which are equal for everyone. They guarantee acceptable solutions to each clause of the lease agreement. Let's look at them.

One factor warranty of habitability is the financial issue. Rent increases cannot happen at any time and at the landlord's will. The increase in rental payment must occur for good reason or in accordance with changes in the real estate market. 

If you receive your rent periodically, there can only be one increase per year. If the tenancy is fixed, you can only increase the rent at the end of the contract term.  

If you have a disagreement with your tenants, you can express your position through a letter or e-mail. You can also use our inventory services to minimize your energy and time costs.

There are also a number of subtleties when evicting tenants. It cannot take place at the landlord's will. There is a certain algorithm of this procedure, which complies with the norms of the law.

When the lease comes to an end, you should communicate that you do not intend to renew the lease. Your notice should be sent at least 30 days before the end of the lease.

If the landlord cannot reach an agreement with the tenants, he or she has the right to go to court to have the landlord enforce the eviction. Only bailiffs have the right to force an eviction. If you decide to do it yourself, you run the risk of being at fault.

Other tenant responsibilities

You should also consider your other responsibilities as a tenant:

·         You should not discriminate against tenants on any basis;

·         Pregnant and disabled people deserve to be treated with dignity;

·         You must give your tenants up-to-date contact details;

·         You cannot change the locks on the house except as provided for;

·         You must keep tenant information confidential;

·         You are only allowed to check tenants over the age of 18. Children are not included in this list.

These and other obligations of the landlord’s are explained by the fact that the tenant also has a right to safe and comfortable accommodation. And the landlord must do a number of things to ensure that comfort is provided. This concerns both the technical equipment and the relationship between the parties.

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