LICENSING
London property licensing varies from borough to borough, making it tricky to keep up with changing legislation in different parts of the city.
As a landlord with Foxtons, we will keep you informed about all licensing requirements where you have rental properties and can also assist with your license application from start to finish.
GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATES
A compulsory test proving that gas appliances and supply points in the property are safe.
GSCs must be renewed every 12 months by a registered engineer who will check the flue and appliance. Even if we don't manage your rental portfolio, we can assist you with arranging these checks. Also, remember to give your tenants a copy of the new GSC within 28 days of the check.
RIGHT TO RENT
It is a legal requirement to thoroughly check a tenant's right to rent a property in the UK.
All prospective tenants over 18 years of age must be checked.
We have technology that enables us to quickly check an tenant's eligibility but it's also important that either you or your agent meets the tenant in person before keys to the property are released.
EICR
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the safety of the existing electrical installation within a property and describes its condition. The assessment will cover consumer units (fuse boards), protective bonding, lighting, switches, sockets etc.
All rental properties need an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) with a rating of ‘satisfactory’. If the outcome is ‘unsatisfactory’ then remedial works must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if required. A ‘satisfactory’ EICR is valid for up to five years.
If you have further questions about EICRs, please click here to read a full list of FAQs.
PRE-TENANCY CLEANING
The Foxtons tenancy agreement requires a property to be cleaned to a professional standard before the tenancy begins. A domestic clean is not sufficient – professional cleaning includes specialist interior cleaning of kitchen appliances, deep cleaning of bathrooms and thorough treatment of all flooring.
Tenants are also required return the property to the landlord in the exact same state of cleanliness they received it in, so a pre-tenancy clean is essential. We recommend booking your pre-tenancy clean through Foxtons to ensure your property meets the contractual requirements.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT REPORT
The best way for you to ensure you receive the property in the same condition you let it is to get a check-in and check-out report. These detailed documents, including photographs, record a property's exact condition and contents and serve as evidence in disputes. Without them, you may find it impossible to claim compensation from the tenant’s deposit if damage occurs.
We recommend booking a check-in report through Foxtons after the pre-tenancy clean, and a check-out report at the end of tenancy.
PAT
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) ensures all portable electrical appliances in your property are tested and approved as safe to use.
The resulting PAT certificate documents the safety testing of portable electrical appliances e.g. fridge/freezer, washing machine, toaster etc. Anything rated as unsafe should be replaced or removed from the property.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING
Standard checks performed to confirm the identity and authenticity of any funds involved in a transaction.
AML is a legal requirement for all estate agents, with HMRC targeting any criminal activity in the property sector. Every time you market a property with an estate agent you'll need to provide a valid photo ID and a recent utility bill. We will perform these same checks on your prospective tenants.
LEGIONNAIRES' RISK ASSESSMENT
While uncommon, landlords have a legal duty to consider the risk of a tenant contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
A straightforward initial assessment can help determine whether water systems in your properties require further attention. Properties with hot tubs are at specific risk. Most standard domestic systems are considered low-risk due to regular water usage, which helps prevent stagnant water.
Contact us for guidance on risk minimization and arranging an assessment.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
An EPC is a compulsory review of how energy efficient a property is. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have a valid EPC in place with a minimum band E rating before the property is advertised for let.
There are exemptions to the minimum band rating for certain properties, which must be registered on the Government’s PRS exemption registry.
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