It’s reassuring to know that recent government and local council crackdowns
have ensured that the days of landlords being able to get away with leaving
their tenants in sub-standard properties are largely a thing of the past.
Tenants are now protected by a raft of rules and regulations, which are geared
towards ensuring fair play on both sides. These rights apply to all tenants,
regardless of whether they are mentioned in the tenancy agreement signed at the beginning of the tenancy.
But simply being aware of the rules isn’t enough – landlords must be prepared
to act on them. For this reason, getting
landlords insurance in place could be a good move, as it can cover landlords
in the event of problems with plumbing, electrical wiring, roof damage and
more. Having a financial safety net in place could offer encouragement to get
things sorted sooner rather than later.
Under tenant’s rights, landlords must:
-
Allow tenants to live undisturbed in the
property -
Keep the property in a good state of repair at
all times -
Allow tenants to access details of their tenancy
agreement at all times - Ensure tenants are protected from eviction.
Deposits
Deposits are also central to tenant’s rights – so it’s really important to
be aware of the rules regarding their management. Once a landlord has taken a
deposit from a tenant, under strict rules it must be protected by a
government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. This needs to happen no more than
14 days after the deposit was taken and the tenant needs to be informed of what
has happened to their money. Failing to comply with this legislation can have
serious consequences. Not only can the tenant be entitled to a full refund of
their deposit, but landlords may also be forced to hand over three times the
amount on top.
Could landlord insurance help?
No law-abiding, decent landlord would ever neglect their responsibilities
deliberately. But financial and time pressures can leave even the most conscientious
landlord in danger of being in breach of housing codes. For this reason, getting
cheap landlords insurance could be a smart
move, as it can reduce the cost of getting those repairs that can crop up
from time to time sorted out. The insurance can be created to suit the
individual, with some covering boiler repairs and checks and others
incorporating plumbing, drainage, wiring and roofs. Above all else, it could save
you money, help keep you on the right side of housing rules and maintain your
reputation as a good landlord – so why not compare landlord insurance today?
