Flatshare Resources for Landlords Letting Spare Rooms & Flatshare's
We have detailed below some tips and useful links. If you have any useful tips that you would like to pass on to other users of this site please let us know by our contact page.
Your responsibilities as a landlord:
It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that the property is 'fit for habitation'. As well as generally maintaining the property and arranging for any repairs to be done, you must ensure that the property is free from damp and has good ventilation, drainage and sewerage systems.
You are responsible for ensuring that there is adequate water and heating and that the equipment is in good working order. Toilets, basins, baths, sinks and drainage must be well maintained. If you do not meet the criteria and the property puts your tenant's health at risk they may be able to take legal action.
As a landlord, you will be required to ensure that the property complies with fire regulations such as installing smoke detectors, ideally on all floors, and possibly fire doors. You should install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen. To find out further information about fire regulations and other regulations that may apply, contact the local authority.
Ensure that any furniture and furnishing that you provide if you are letting the property as furnished accommodation, complies with the Furniture and Furnishing Regulations. Be particularly wary if you buy or are given second-hand furniture. It must meet the 'match test' that now forms part of the Fire Safety Regulations.
If the property has gas installed or gas appliances, they must be checked annually by someone who is registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers. You must keep a record of the checks and show them to your tenant within 28 days of the inspection. If your tenant owns gas appliances of his own, he is responsible for maintaining them.
Any electrical equipment that you supply with the let, from immersion heaters to kettles, must be in good repair and safe to use. You should arrange PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) and make available instruction booklets with any new electrical equipment that you supply.
To find out about the tax implications of renting out a property, ask the Inland Revenue for a copy of booklet IR 150 'Taxation of Rents: A Guide to Property Income' http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/contactus/contact-forms.htm
Useful Links and resources:
Rental Documents & Recommended Books from Lawpack
Room4You is pleased to have partnered with Lawpack to bring you the most up to date and professional resources to make your flatshare experience a happy and legal one!
Lawpack, the UK's DIY legal publisher, offers a range of do-it-yourself legal guides, legal kits and legal forms to help you resolve your legal issues and save legal fees. Find everything from DIY Will Kits to tenancy agreements, share certificates to Power of Attorney legal forms, employment contracts, Company Resolutions and Minutes, Property Inventory forms, Rent Books, etc.
Recommended Rental Documents provided by Lawpack:
Lodger Application
If you are going to rent a room and take in a lodger, it's important that you do some basic security and credit checks first. This Lodger Application Form gives you all you need to collect your potential lodger's details and secure their consent to run some credit checks.
Lodger Agreement (England and Wales)
A Lodger Agreement is used when a landlord wants to rent a room in a furnished property where the landlord lives and shares common parts of the property (e.g. bathroom, toilet, kitchen and sitting room) with the tenant or tenants. If you want to rent a room in your flat or house, then this Lodgers Agreement can only be used in situations where the property is your principal home.
Lodger Agreement (Scotland)
A Lodger Agreement is used when a landlord wants to rent a room in a furnished property where the landlord lives and shares common parts of the property (e.g. bathroom, toilet, kitchen and sitting room) with the tenant or tenants. If you want to rent a room in your flat or house, then this Lodgers Agreement can only be used in situations where the property is your principal home.
Lodger Agreement (Northern Ireland)
This Lodger Agreement for Northern Ireland is suitable for situations where you are taking a lodger into the house (or flat) that you live in. A Lodger Agreement is used when a landlord wants to rent a room in a furnished property in Northern Ireland where the landlord lives and shares common parts of the property (e.g. bathroom, toilet, kitchen and sitting room) with the tenant or tenants. If you want to rent a room in your flat or house, then this Lodgers Agreement can only be used in situations where the property is your principal home.
Notice to terminate a lodger agreement
This can be used by either a landlord or lodger to terminate a lodger agreement in England, Wales or Scotland.
Section 21
To legally give notice to terminate an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement in England or Wales at the end of the tenancy agreement the landlord must give a Section 21 Notice to their tenant. Under the Housing Act 1988, the landlord must give the tenant at least two months notice.
Rent Book
A Rent Book is required by law in those tenancy situations where rent is paid on a weekly basis. A Rent Book can be useful in all tenancy situations.
Recommended Reading/Books available from Lawpack:
DIY Letting Book
This bestselling Residential Lettings Kit contains all the legal forms, tenancy agreements, eviction notices and background information that you need to rent your property, without the expense of a solicitor or letting agent. It will take the worry out of the letting process.
Taking in a lodger - Legal guide
The good news is that renting a room in your own house can earn you money. The better news is that this is tax-free money under the 'Rent a Room' scheme. And the best news is that renting a room to a lodger is easy. Taking in a lodger can be a straight-forward, stress-free process from start to finish. Your time sharing your house with your lodgers should be a pleasure. And it will always be...as long as you follow some basic rules.
