General points relevant to non-resident landlord lettings

1. Landlords should ensure that the property is structurally sound, in good repair, well maintained and conforms to local authority Environmental Health standards. The furniture, fixtures and fittings should be in a good, safe and efficient working order.
   
   
2. Students should be given clear instructions about the operation of gas and electric appliances and other equipment. It is important that when students take on a whole property, they register with the gas and electricity supply companies and are billed in their joint names. This means that the occupants are liable for the energy bills and not the owner, unless of course you offer your property with a rent inclusive of bills.
   
   
3. It is essential to provide smoke alarms and fire blankets (for kitchens) with instructions on how to use them. Your local authority Environmental Health Office will provide advice concerning adequate means of escape in case of fire. External doors should have secure locks (preferably with a 5-bar mortice lock) and ensure all ground floor windows have window locks. Advise students to remove valuable personal items over long vacation periods if the property is going to be empty, and remind them that they will require their own personal possessions insurance.
   
   
4. Rent can be collected in person by the landlord, sent by cheque, or paid by standing order directly into the landlord’s account. Standing order is now the most popular method of collecting rent. If you intend to collect the rent in person, arrange to do so during reasonable hours and with prior arrangement with the tenants. Never collect the rent late at night or turn up unannounced, nor enter the property without prior permission from the tenants; this is illegal and can be regarded as harassment. We strongly advise against taking cash payments. For any reason, if you do, please give dated receipts.
   
   
5. Repairs or inadequate facilities are the single biggest cause of friction between tenants and landlords. If you promise to redecorate, supply certain appliances or pieces of furniture when tenants view the property, please confirm this in writing to your tenants. Try to ensure these promises are completed by the moving-in day, or give a definite date when the missing or promised items will be supplied.
   
   Landlords are responsible in law for repairs to the structure and exterior of the house, together with installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space and water heating (Landlord & Tenant Act 1985, Sections 11-16).
   
   Tenants must be given your home address and all relevant contact telephone numbers. You could even supply a list of the names of plumbers, electricians, etc who they can contact in an emergency, or if you are away on holiday. This is particularly important in the case of urgent repairs, meaning those causing a risk to health or damage to the property (e.g. a broken toilet, broken cooker, burst water tanks or disconnection of services). These urgent repairs should be undertaken within 48 hours, other repairs not interfering with the tenants' use of the property, should be rectified within 14- 21 days.
   
   
6. If there is a garden at the property, you must ensure that suitable garden equipment and tools are provided to enable the tenants to keep the grounds in good order.
   
   
7. Where a property has full-time students as the sole residents, it will be exempt from council tax payment during their period of tenancy. Please check with your local authority for details.

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