Landlords
The letting of your property is very important to us; as a family business we ensure that our own high standards are made available to each landlord who avails of our service. The care and preservation of your rented property must be just as important as the monthly income it may generate. We have a keen interest to ensure that occupants are not just briefed about their obligations, but monitored to ensure that their performance matches up. The condition of the rented property is very important before suitable tenants are located, during the tenancy itself and particularly at the end of the tenancy whenever deposits are due for refund.
Landlord Registration Scheme
Under the Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 all private landlords must provide accurate and up to date information about themselves and their properties to the Registrar. A registration fee is payable by all landlords.
For more information please see the links below or contact our office to arrange an appointment for help to register
Department for Social Development NI – Landlord Registration Scheme
Ni Direct – Registering as a Landlord
The Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
From 01 April 2013 a Landlord must, by law, protect any deposit taken in connection with a private tenancy in an approved deposit scheme.
For more information see the links below or contact our office
Department for Social Development NI – Tenancy Deposit Scheme
NI Direct - Tenancy Deposit Scheme
The Tenancy Deposit Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Boiler safety and alarms
As a Landlord you have responsibility to ensure that the electrical installation and any electrical equipment or appliances, which are provided within the property as part of a letting and which are to be recorded on any future Inventory or Condition Report, are tested to ensure that they are connected satisfactorily and operate safely all in accordance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 or any subsequent amendment. Regular inspections should also be maintained.
We also recommend that smoke alarms/fire detection alarms are fitted, tested and provided in sound working condition at commencement of a tenancy. It is normal for any tenant to ensure that smoke alarms are regularly tested as working throughout the period of their tenancy. That may require the tenant to purchase and install new batteries as may be fitted from time to time all in accordance with good housekeeping practice. We recommend that a Carbon Monoxide alarm, which should comply with BS EN 50291, is installed (Information courtesy of The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland - for further advice visit their web site)
It is your responsibility as Landlord to ensure that GAS appliances fitted to the property such as gas boiler, gas cooker, gas tumble drier, gas fire or gas patio heater, any or all of which are to be included in the proposed letting, are inspected annually and certified approved for operation by a suitably registered engineer as required in accordance with Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004. Any central heating boiler or fuel burning appliances requires similar frequent service inspections. We can assist you find a suitable engineer for all boiler servicing and maintenance requirements.
Furnishings
For furnished properties, you as a Landlord have a continuing liability to ensure that ALL foam filled upholstery, including cushions, seats, soft furnishings, headboards and mattresses etc. which you provide and which remain in the property, comply with the British Standard Fire Safety requirements, including those as specified in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 or any subsequent amendment. Any non compliant items must be removed from the property as they are unable to be used during a letting. We have found in our experience that tenants prefer to have access to their own furnishings to which they have become accustomed. In the event that a letting is to be unfurnished we will advise the landlord on the matter of retaining suitable floor coverings, carpets may need replacement or deep cleaning, tiles may require repair or renewal, window coverings where blinds or curtains are to be fitted and what is best in relation to fitting curtain poles particularly on new houses, light fittings and any white goods which are to be provided in the kitchen as part of the letting.
Continual maintenance
From time to time there will be ongoing maintenance issues and requirement for repair. It is important to maintain the rented property and protect your investment. While most tenancy agreements make provision for tenants to undertake their own cleaning and some maintenance, it is often the basics which are more challenging: before Winter to clear weeds and debris from spoutings, downpipes, drains and gullies, driveways needing weeded, high hedges trimmed and tall trees topped which are regularly becoming a cause for objection with neighbours; see The High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 which became law on 31 March 2012. Landlords may also be required to consider repairing failed double glazed window units, door or window locks which can be expensive on Upvc frames. In Spring it is generally time for external redecoration, fencing repair and minor roof repairs. We continue to have ready access to jobbing repair men whose reliability and keen pricing have assisted us to maintain a consistent service for our landlords over the years. Many of our clients have benefited from our experience in providing a more detailed assessment of their rented properties which has included recommendations on and assistance with refurbishment of kitchens, bathrooms or change of heating system from oil to mains gas for example.
Insurance
Landlord’s insurance for a rented property is required in all cases. The landlord has an obligation to notify their insurer whenever a property is let and occupied or vacant and available. The terms and conditions of an insurance policy can vary and are often very different from a normal home insurance policy with a limited amount of cover. As the Landlord you must check carefully any current property insurance policy in respect of the property you are letting to identify any restrictions which could apply. Valid insurance cover for vacant properties creates additional responsibility for the landlord to comply with any requests or conditions made.