Landlord Information

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993
The above regulations were amended in 1993 and set new levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture and furnishings. It is an offence to 'supply' in the course of business any furniture which does not comply with the regulations. This includes supplying furniture as part of a residential property to be let.

The regulations apply to; sofas, beds, bed-heads, furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions and pillows, stretch or loose covers for furniture or other similar items. The regulations do not apply to: curtains, carpets, bedclothes. Any furniture manufactured after March 1990 will probably comply, but if the appropriate labels are not on the furniture, checks should be made with manufacturer.

The Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998
It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure that ALL gas appliances and gas installation pipe work owned by them are checked for safety at lease once a year by a member of the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). In addition accurate records of the safety inspections and any work carried out must kept. The current safety certificate must always be available for any tenant prior to them taking occupation of a property.

Faulty equipment can lead to death and a conviction of unlawful killing on a landlord. Under the regulations any appliance that does not conform can be disconnected.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) regulations 1994
The above regulations impose an obligation on a landlord to ensure that all electrical appliances left as part of a let property are safe. Cabling, fuses and plugs should also be inspected and replaced where necessary to the correct rating for that particular appliance.

Other legislation covering electrical installations is currently in force and we strongly recommend that all appliances are regularly checked and serviced.

The Building Regulations 1991 - Smoke Alarms
The 1991 Building Regulations require that all properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated interlinked smoke detectors/alarms on each floor. Such regulations regarding older properties do not exist but we strongly recommend that smoke alarms are fitted in all let properties and are regularly checked to ensure they are in full working order.

Consent To Let
If you have a mortgage you must obtain consent from your mortgage lender. If your interest in the property is leasehold your lease may require you to obtain consent from your landlord prior to sub letting.

Insurance
Standard home owner insurance may well be invalidated when you let your property.

Tenancy Agreement
It is preferable for landlords to sign their own tenancy agreement. Therefore it is important that we are given clear instructions regarding the length of time the property will be available and that we have a contact address and telephone and fax number in order that the document may be forwarded for signature prior to any tenancy.

Income Tax - UK Resident & Non-Resident Landlords
Income tax is payable on rental income irrespective of where you live. Landlords must declare this income on a Self-Assessment Tax Return and if one is not issued automatically he or she has a legal responsibility to notify the Inland Revenue of any liability. As the Inland Revenue assesses your income individually, properties that are jointly owned require returns to be completed by each legal owner. There is a requirement under Self-Assessment to keep adequate records to ensure that the calculations included in the return are accurate.

Non-Resident Landlords (Landlords whose usual place of abode is outside the UK)
The legislation regulating Non-Resident Landlords and their agents differ significantly from Landlords residing in the UK.

West Kirby Letting Ltd as the rent receiving agent, has a statutory obligation to deduct basic rate tax on the net income and make payments to the Inland Revenue quarterly. However, you can apply to the Inland Revenue to "self-assess" your own tax. To take advantage of this we can provide an application form, which upon approval from the Revenue will authorise us to pay the rent without deducting tax at source.