The discrimination acts, including disability, sex and race all apply to landlords who are renting their property out along with many other obligations that both tenants and landlords are under.

There are a lot of considerations that need to be taken into account when it comes to the renting of a property, especially from the landlords side of things. If your are hoping to break into the property market through the renting of property you need to ensure that you fully research all of the regulations and the responsibilities that come with maintaining and managing properties for rent.

When it comes to the letting of properties both the landlord and tenant have responsibilities to ensure that the whole process runs as smoothly as it can. These responsibilities are as follows; for landlords:

• Repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water installations, basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary installations
• The safety of gas and electrical appliances
• The fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided under the tenancy
• Ensuring that the property is fit for habitation
• Repairing and keeping in working order the room and water heating equipment

The responsibility of the tenant when it comes to the property letting process is as follows:

• Paying the rent as agreed and taking proper care of the property
• Bills for gas electricity, telephone, etc if this was agreed with your landlord
• In most cases, paying the council tax, water and sewerage charges

One aspect that needs to be taken care of before any tenants are able to move into a property is the maintenance of the property. Landlords are the ones who are responsible for the maintenance and major repairs that need to be undertaken on a property. Included in this are repairs to the structure and exterior of the property and heating and the installation of sanitary units such as basins, sinks, baths and toilets.

The design and up keep of a house that is becoming available for rent needs to be up to suitable housing standards that comply with health and safety laws. The property that is going to be let needs to be capable of providing heat and the building must be in good condition with any repairs that need to be carried on the structure of it being done so.

The property that you are hoping to rent needs to have a good supply of electric and gas and also be free from damp. Any gas boilers that are present within the property need to have annual safety checks by someone who is recognised with the CORGI (council for registered gas installers). As well as ensuring that the gas supply is safe etc you also need to ensure that the electrical wiring of your property is checked and meets the criteria of the Part P regulations.

Any of the repairs or maintenance that needs to be carried out on a property needs to be done by the landlord of a property; however the tenants who rent the property, under common law, need to use it in a responsible way.

Helen is the web master for ARCH Property Management, specialists in Letting Property.