While tenants are responsible for ensuring appliances are well looked after, landlords should consider ensuring that their appliances are safe and repair and replace when necessary. This means conducting annual Portable Appliance Testing. Taking this step will help you protect yourself from liability and protect the health of your tenants. It will also ensure that the appliances are working safely and are protected from damage caused by a tenant. Find out more about pat testing cheltenham by visiting www.blu-fish.co.uk/landlord-and-letting-services-cheltenham/pat-portable-appliance-testing-cheltenham/
While it can be tempting to include appliances in rental properties, they are an added cost for landlords. Also, tenants may look elsewhere for a better deal. It is important for landlords to consider what their tenants need in rental units to determine whether the appliance is worth adding. Consider the rental market and the type of tenants that will be renting the property before deciding whether to provide appliances.
In the lease agreement, landlords should specify who will be responsible for repairs. It is also a good idea to make a list of all appliances provided and specify who is responsible for them. It is also wise to check them during move-in, and document their condition when the tenant is present. This way, if any repairs are required, they can be taken out of the security deposit or replaced.
In a rental property, the landlord does not have to provide the appliances themselves, but if he or she does, he or she should be prepared for more than just normal wear and tear. Not all tenants will know how to properly use certain appliances, which means that they will need to be repaired or replaced at some point.
In addition to making sure that appliances are safe in a rental property, landlords have legal responsibilities as well. They must ensure that the property meets the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. In addition, landlords must provide a certificate of safety when a new tenant moves in.
The landlord must ensure that gas appliances, chimneys, and gas fittings are approved for use. A gas engineer will complete a gas safety check on all of these items and document the findings in a Landlord Gas Safety Record form, also known as a CP12 certificate.
Electric appliances need to be tested regularly. They can cause fires if not properly checked. Regular inspections can help prevent costly repairs and fires. Checking exterior and interior doors is another important step. Bad wiring can also lead to fire so be sure to look for dangling or damaged wires.
