As a landlord, you have a number of responsibilities, so important to know the legalities of buy to let. The Government has a guide dedicated to helping landlords to understand every area, here are the highlights:

You’re a landlord if you rent out your property. As a landlord you must:

• keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
• make sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
• provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
• protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
• check your tenant has the right to rent your property if it’s in England
• give your tenant a copy of the How to rent checklist when they start renting from you (you can email it to them)

It’s your responsibility to:

• fit and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
• follow fire safety regulations for property in a purpose-built block of flats or for houses and property adapted into flats

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is used by your council to make sure that properties in its area are safe for the people who live there. This involves inspecting your property for possible hazards, such as uneven stairs.

If you own a property and rent it out, the council may decide to do an HHSRSinspection because:

• your tenants have asked for an inspection
• the council has done a survey of local properties and thinks your property might be hazardous

Inspectors look at 29 health and safety areas and score each hazard they find as category 1 or 2, according to its seriousness.

You must take action on enforcement notices from your council. You also have the right to appeal enforcement notices.

The council can do any of the following if they find a serious hazard:

• issue an improvement notice
• fix the hazard themselves and bill you for the cost
• stop you or anyone else from using part or all of the property

You have to pay:

• Income Tax on your rental income, minus your day-to-day running expenses
• Class 2 National Insurance if the work you do renting out property counts as running a business

If you have a mortgage on the property you want to rent out, you must get permission from your mortgage lender.

There are special rules for changing rents and terms for regulated tenancies (usually private tenancies starting before 15 January 1989).

Here are some other handy links to help you to be a responsible landlord:

1. Landlord responsibilities
2. Making repairs
3. Rent increases
4. Settling disputes
5. Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
6. Paying tax and National Insurance
7. Changing a regulated tenancy (fair rent)

If you’re not sure which mortgage is right for you, how much you can afford based on expected rental yield, or whether you meet the lender's requirements, speak to one of our qualified mortgage specialists. They’ll advise you and help guide you through the application process. Just call 03300 583 859.