Practical Tips for Landlords Simon Turner

20/04/23Simon Turner, Legal Services, Stafford Borough Council1

Practical Tips for LandlordsPractical Tips for Landlords

Simon TurnerSimon Turner


Topics Topics

Selecting TenantsContents of the Tenancy AgreementSafetyInventory / Schedule of ConditionRepairsRent Arrears/ other breachesQuiet Enjoyment


Selecting TenantsSelecting Tenants

Consider tenants referred from Housing Advice

Watch out for “friends of friends”, “doing someone a favour”

Check identity – driving licence, passportAsk for referencesConsider credit check


Why bother with a tenancy agreement ?Why bother with a tenancy agreement ?

A clearly written tenancy agreement is essential for both landlord and tenant

The agreement sets out what each party will do

The agreement sets rules for what happens when things go wrong

If you want tenants to do something – e.g mow the grass, not keep pets – put it in the agreement


Tenancy agreement checklistTenancy agreement checklist

Amount of deposit Amount, frequency of rent Landlords Address – s. 48 LTA 1987 Refer to grounds for possession that may be

relied on – e.g. owner occupier (1), arrears (8,10) persistent delay (11), nuisance (14)

Stop the tenant doing certain things Ensure tenant does certain things Define the extent of property let Who pays water rates, Council Tax


Pre TenancyPre Tenancy

Show tenants a blank tenancy agreementBe up front about rent, deposit, any

contribution towards preparation costs of tenancy agreement

Tell them about the Landlord Accreditation Scheme


SafetySafety

Gas, electric, fire safety – inspect and produce certificates on request

Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire blanket – protect tenants & property

Advise tenant of means of escapeConsider safety of security barsKeep records – this allows easy scheduling

of checks, proves you have done them


Inventory / Schedule of ConditionInventory / Schedule of Condition

Essential for furnished letsMake an accurate and agreed list Use photosRefer to the list and link it to the tenancy

agreementGet the tenant to sign a copy of the

inventory before you hand over the keysCheck it with the tenant before they vacate


Excluded Areas of the PropertyExcluded Areas of the Property

Excluding certain areas of the tenancy – e.g. sheds, attics

Mention this in the tenancy agreementLock the access door


InsuranceInsurance

Insure the property as appropriate

Remind tenants that they should insure their own belongings, as these won’t be covered by landlord’s insurance


RepairsRepairs

Landlord should keep property in a reasonable state of repair

Consider a planned maintenance programme


Receipts Receipts

If rent is paid weekly, provide a rent book (section 4(1) Landlord & Tenant Act 1985)

If rent is paid annually provide an annual statement, and if you want to, provide a rent book


Rent ArrearsRent Arrears

Make sure you can prepare a schedule of rent arrears quickly and clearly

Write to tenant with schedule of rent arrears as soon as they miss a payment

Consider serving a notice to end the tenancy – use a section 21 if possible, otherwise use a section 8

You don’t have to evict just because you have served a notice


Other Tenant BreachesOther Tenant Breaches

Write to the tenant to tell them what they have done wrong

Meet the tenant to discuss how they are going to put things right

Consider serving a notice to end the tenancy – use a section 21 notice if you can, otherwise use a section 8 one


Quiet EnjoymentQuiet Enjoyment Try to respect your tenant’s privacy If you have big plans for works, tell the tenant

before they take on the tenancy Set out in the tenancy agreement the procedure

for inspections, other visits If is a routine inspection contact the tenant to

arrange a time and a date (at a reasonable time) Give 24 hours at least (unless its an emergency)


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Practical Tips for Landlords Simon Turner

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