The importance of rental property compliance cannot be understated.
It is the phone call you never want to receive; the fire brigade letting you know that your rental property is on fire. Unfortunately this is what happened at one of our managed properties in the City Centre last year.
Most importantly, our tenants got out safely and we had them put up in temporary accommodation immediately. Their quick actions meant that the fire brigade were on site in a matter of minutes meaning that the fire damage was contained to the kitchen. If the fire had a few more minutes to take hold, it would have been a different story.
Stage one
We attended that Friday evening to liaise with the fire brigade and police to ensure the property was secure, and the power and water supply were isolated. The following day, emergency roofers were instructed to make the hole in the roof secure and water tight. Due to the tricky fourth floor position, steep roof pitch and City Centre location, a large cherry picker was required. As our tenants were in temporary accommodation, it was a priority to find them a new long-term rental property. We managed to get this sorted within 8 days, which the insurers were delighted with.
How did it happen?
Following a thorough survey by a forensic investigator, the cause was attributed to an electrical fault in the eaves behind the kitchen units. This quickly spread through the dry timbers and insulation.
Who was responsible?
All of the rental property compliance certification was audited by the forensic investigator and the insurer and was found to be in order. As such, it was just bad luck. However, this really drives home the importance of staying on top of your compliance and ensuring you have appropriate insurance and consent to let. The potential implications of missing something are huge in this situation.
Stage two
We met with the factor, insurer and the loss adjustors on site to survey the extent of the damage and devise a plan. After the due diligence was completed and everyone was satisfied, a surveyor was appointed to manage the reinstatement works. A tender document was put together, and three contractors were invited to quote for the extensive reinstatement works.
Stage three
Reinstatement. Due to the scale of the job, the works are still underway, and are estimated to take 3/4 months to complete. Whilst our landlord is not at any massive financial loss as there is loss of rent cover on the insurance policy, it is a stressful process for them as their property was finished to a specific standard. They were anxious to ensure that the reinstatement was sympathetic to that, and the time invested when renovating the flat originally.
Landlord Compliance Checklist
As all of the compliance was in order, it really just concretes the requirement to ensure your property meets the required standard. The main compliance requirements are listed below:
- Gas safety certificate
- Electrical installation condition report
- Portable appliance test
- Legionella risk assessment
- Energy performance certificate
- Smoke and heat alarm system (Interlinked)
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Appropriate buildings and Contents insurance
- Consent to let from Mortgage provider
- Landlord registration.
If you are unsure whether your property is fully compliant with the necessary legislation, feel free to get in touch. We will carry out a complimentary rental property compliance check for you to see if you are leaving yourself exposed anywhere.