Responsible Renting | ARLA

RESPONSIBLE  RENTING ......


The Government's English Housing Survey* shows that the number of private rented households in England increased from 2.00 million (10%) in 1999 to 3.62 million (17%) in 2010-11, while the number of owner-occupied homes dropped. According to ARLA, this new generation of first-time tenants may not be aware of the requirements on them.

Ian Potter, Managing Director at ARLA, said: "Renting a property offers a great level of freedom, but this does come with associated responsibilities and in some cases, liabilities - even though someone else owns the property. If these terms are understood, a tenant can enjoy their rental home without worrying about unnecessary disputes arising when they decide to move out.

"As some responsibilities are different from home to home, I would always recommend checking through a tenancy agreement with a legal expert. This will ensure all obligations are understood, and ultimately, fulfilled by both parties."

ARLA has the following tips for those concerned about their responsibilities as tenants:

1. Contents insurance

While landlords are usually liable for insuring the building and any furnishings it comes with, tenants should take out insurance for their own contents. Some insurance providers will require detailed information about the property before giving a quote, so be sure to contact the landlord if you are unsure about any questions.

2. Last one out...

If all of the tenants will be leaving the property vacant for any period of time during the tenancy, ensure that the last person to leave prepares the house for the unoccupied duration. Simple tasks like clearing out fridges/freezers, turning off electric devices at the wall, and turning off the main water supply can help prevent problems while you're away.  Equally, in the winter it may be sensible to leave heating on at a low level, to ensure pipes do not freeze.

It is worth noting that many tenancy agreements stipulate that you must notify the landlord if all occupants will be away for longer than a certain period of time.

3. Looking after your rental property

It is a tenant's responsibility to look after the fittings and fixtures of a rental property. While reasonable wear and tear is to be expected, it is important to inform the landlord immediately if any damage, accidental or otherwise, does occur.

Having a detailed inventory can help with the resolution of any issues around damage or missing items at the end of the rental period. If you are worried about any aspect of a tenancy, seek advice from a lettings agent affiliated to a professional organisation like ARLA. All ARLA licensed agents must adhere to a strict code of conduct, as well as offering client money protection and redress schemes, which protect all parties if things go wrong.

4. Get to know your neighbours

Sharing an emergency contact phone number with a neighbour is a useful precaution. It is best to give more than one number it possible, such as your own and that of the property's managing agent, if there is one. This will speed up access to the property in the event of something like a pipe leak and is particularly important in flatted properties, where an issue in one flat could rapidly cause problems for other homes in the block.

5. Remember to move everything out

On moving out day it is important to remember that any items which appeared in the property during your tenancy must be moved out or disposed of in the appropriate manner. If you wish to leave anything in the property you must consult with the landlord beforehand or they may be within their right to charge against your deposit for removal costs.

*Data taken from the English Housing Survey 2010-11, published 5th July 2012: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/ehs201011householdreport


Responsible Renting | ARLA