We all know that when we have tenants in our properties, it isn’t always easy to ensure that everything remains shipshape. However, as stipulated by many landlords household insurance providers, you are legally obliged to take care of furnishings and any repairs that might be needed to the exterior of the house in your role as landlord. In this post, we are going to outline what these responsibilities are.
Firstly, the law states that all of the furnishings within the properties you lease must be fire resistant, especially if they are going to be used by children. Beds of all shapes and sizes and any furniture used by children in a playroom need to be double-checked and verified for safety. What’s more, the cushions, throws and pillows in your house, in addition to garden furnishings outside, must be checked to ensure that they would not spread a fire.
These laws do not apply to some furnishings like carpets and the light throws which may go over a mattress. You should always ensure that you are working within the law to prevent a fine of up to £5,000 or imprisonment in serious circumstances.
You also need to ensure that you keep a track of any repairs that you make to your property. It is your responsibility to ensure that gutters and other pipes on the outside of the house are repaired whenever necessary, and you may be contacted by a tenant when such a need arises. In addition, you must ensure that all utilities including access to gas, electricity, clean water and sanitation facilities remain functional during a tenancy. Also, access to hot water must still be possible, in addition to central heating or another kind of system.