The sections below look at the individual areas of concern, but we also have a lot of guidance which is more general in nature. 

First, there is our property checklist which gives a step by step guide on all the things landlords need to do to put their property in a proper condition to let. 

We also have a couple of videos from Dave Princep which cover the things landlords need to do at  various stages: 

• Things to check when buying a buy-to-let property, and
• Things to check when preparing to let

The main legislation requiring landlords to keep a property in repair dates back to 1985 and it is probably one of the best-known housing statutes.   

It is the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 and it sets out a number of legal obligations to do repair work which are automatically incorporated into all tenancy agreements for tenancies with a term of less than 7 years and which cannot be excluded (save with a Court Order). 

We have a  number of FAQ looking at this as set out below: 

• What can the Landlord do if the tenant won’t let him in to do inspections and repairs?
• What can the landlord do if the tenant is not looking after the property properly?
• What can tenants do, if landlords do not keep their properties in repair?
• What are the tenants repairing responsibilities?
• What are landlords repairing responsibilities?

The disrepair rules have helped many landlords but they only apply when something needs repair.  They cannot help where something is in poor condition but not actually broken.  For example, many situations where properties are suffering from damp and mould. 

This changed in 2019 when the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 came into force. 

Members will find an article here, and 

A training video here.

The HHSRS (as we tend to refer to it for short) is a system used by Local Authorities for assessing the safety of properties. 

It was set up by the Housing Act 2004 and so is quite old now and there are proposals to reform it.  However, to date, this has not been done. 

We have two articles on the HHSRS and several training videos: 

Articles 

• Housing Fitness Standards and the HHSRS
• The Housing Health and Safety Rating System – Myths and Misconceptions

Videos

• Landlord Law Conference 2016
• Training Webinars – Dr Stephen Battersby on HHSRS
• Training Webinars – Things to check when buying a buy-to-let property
• Training Webinars – Things to check when preparing to let

The gas regulations have been with us since 1998 and are very important – gas can be a killer and several tenants have died due to improperly maintained gas appliances. 

We have a number of FAQ and a video on this: 

FAQ 

• What are the landlord’s responsibilities under the Gas Regulations?
• What are the landlord’s responsibilities under the Gas Regulations? Wales
• What are the rules about Gas Safety Certificates and section 21?
• What are the warning signs to watch out for with gas appliances?
• What can I do if I can’t prove service of a gas safety certificate before the tenants moved in?
• What rules do landlords need to comply with under the Gas Regulations?
• What should a landlord do if he suspects gas appliances at the property are faulty and/or there is a gas escape?
• What should the landlord do if the tenant refuses to grant access for gas inspections?

Video

• The Gas Safety Regulations with Brooke Lyne

The gas regulations have been with us for many years but strangely there were no general regulations on electricity before 2020 (save for specific regulations on things like plugs and sockets and gas cookers). 

We have a number of FAQ on electricity issues and also a video on the new regulations: 

FAQ: 

• How can I find the utility company for my property?
• What are landlords obligations regarding Electrical Appliances & Electrical Supply (Wales)
• What are landlords responsibilities as regards the electricity supply and electrical appliances in the property?

Video:

• Training Webinars – The New Electricity Regulations – with Dave Princep

The main regulations relating to fire safety apply to HMO properties where the danger of fire tends to be greater.  However all landlords have an obligation to keep properties safe, and we also have regulations relating to the fire safety of furniture and (in England) relating to smoke and CO alarms.

FAQ

• Are landlords obliged to fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?
• What are a Landlord’s Obligation regarding fire safety? Wales
• What are landlords legal obligations as regards furniture and furnishings?
• What are landlords legal obligations regarding fire doors?
• What are landlords obligations regarding fire safety?
• What are the rules in Wales about smoke and CO alarms?
• What is Carbon Monoxide and why is it a problem?

Video:

• Landlord Law Conference 2015
• The Fire Safety Regulations with Sam Madge Wyld
• Training Webinars – Fire Safety with Justin Bates KC
• Training Webinars – Fire Safety with Sam Madge Wyld
• Training Webinars – Practical Fire Safety with EHO Paul FitzGerald

With the looming climate catastrophe, landlords have a big part to play in ensuring that our housing stock is as energy-efficient as possible.

All landlords need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and properties must now have an energy rating of not less than E.

We have some FAQ, an article and videos on this:

FAQ

• Are tenants entitled to request energy efficiency improvements?
• Do landlords need to get a new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if it runs out before the end of the tenancy?
• Do you need an EPC for an HMO?
• What are landlords obligations regarding Energy Efficiency?
• What are the penalties for not providing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
• When do landlords need to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Article:

• Energy Efficiency Minimum Standards

Video:

• Training Webinars – Dave Princep on Energy Efficiency
• Training Webinars – Energy Efficiency for Residential Landlords – the Law
• Training Webinars – Proposals for EPCs with Suzanne Smith
• Training Webinars – Update on the Governments Green Agenda on the PRS

With the coming into force of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 in December 2022, the law regarding the property condition in Wales is now very similar to that in England.

Article:

• What are the rules about the condition of rented properties in Wales?