Regulations

REGULATORY BODIES

Redress

Brighton Lets is a member of the Property Redress Scheme, membership number PRS000910. Tenants or Landlords can use this ombudsman scheme if they are unhappy with the services provided by Brighton Lets. To view the PRS certificate, click here

Client Money Protection

Brighton Lets is a member of the Client Money Protection scheme, membership number CMP006592. The scheme ensures that landlords and tenants are compensated if an agent cannot repay their money, for example if an agent goes into administration. To view the CMP certificate, click here

PROPERTY REGULATIONS

EPC Regulations

It is unlawful for a landlord to let a property with an energy rating of F or G. EPC’s are required at the outset of marketing in order to comply with legislation.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors must be fitted on every floor of a let property. They can be battery operated. HMOs (House in Multiple Occupation) need to have fixed wired interlinked smoke detectors.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These should be installed where solid fuels and gas boilers are used.

Deposit Registration

Deposit are required to be registered with one of the Government approved schemes within 30 days of receipt.

Brighton Lets has been keeping abreast of the recent changes (Rodriguez-v-Superstrike court case) around deposit registrations and undertakes this as part of the lettings and property management process.

Right to Rent

All applicants must undergo the Government Right to Rent checks before moving into a property.

Section 21 Notices

It is no longer possible to serve a Section 21 notice in the first four months of a Tenancy.

Once a Section 21 notice has been given, possession proceedings must start (where appropriate) within six months of the service of the Section 21 notice. If this does not happen, the order becomes invalid.

Section 21 Notices can only be served on a tenant if the tenant has already received the following:

  • A valid copy of an up-to-date Energy performance certificate (EPC)
  • A current gas safety certificate carried out by a Gas Safety Capita registered engineer
  • A copy of the most recent booklet ‘How to Rent’ which is a checklist for renting in England and must be provided at the start of every tenancy. This document is available for download here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

For tenancies created prior to 1st October 2015, the existing Section 21(1)(b) and Section 21(1)(a) Notices should be served.

Legionella Inspections

Inspections are required if there is an open water tank with warm water or hot tub. They are not required where there is a combi or condensing boiler.  Inspections are required anywhere where water sits in a container without a covering.

Important: please advise Brighton Lets if you think your property might contain such a water container so that it can be checked. If you are unsure you are advised to have the property checked.