The lettings industry is well regulated to protect both tenants and landlords. The following certifications are required by law, and can be arranged by your letting agent.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Required for all properties on the market to provide tenants with information on the energy efficiency of the property. The EPC lasts 10 years & also highlights areas where the energy efficiency in the property could be improved.
For newly purchased properties this will not be required as there will be one included in the home report issued when the property first went on the sales market.
Rough costs are £65 plus VAT for 1-3 Bed properties , £85 plus VAT for properties with 4 or more bedrooms, and £105 plus VAT for 4 plus bedroom properties over more than 2 stories.
Legionella Risk Assessment
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines state that landlords have a duty of care to ensure rental properties are assessed for the presence of Legionella and that any necessary works are carried out.
Rough Cost £50+VAT
Gas Safety Certificate & Boiler Service
Any gas appliances should be checked for their safety annually by a ‘Gas Safe’ registered engineer & boilers should be serviced annually. If you have ‘Homecare’ cover you may be entitled to a Landlords Gas Safety Inspection & boiler service. (Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998)
Rough costs: £99 plus VAT (Safety certificate + boiler service) £79 plus VAT (safety certificate only)
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Rental properties must have a 'hard wired' Electrical Installation Condition Report of less than 5 years old. Flats with old, or a mix of old and new electrics will often require to have certain aspects upgraded and costs can vary. (Sections 13(4A) & 19B(4) of The Housing (Scotland) Act)
Costs of the EICR roughly £135 plus VAT for an average 1-2 bed property
Portable Appliance Test (PAT)
For flats with movable electronic items such as TV's or toasters, a PAT test is required every 5 years. (Sections 13(4A) & 19B(4) of The Housing (Scotland) Act)
Fire Detection Alarm
Landlords are required to provide smoke detectors in the main living room and hallways/ landings on each storey of a property, and a heat alarm in the kitchen. All alarms must be ceiling mounted and interlinked. The alarms can be either hard wired or a specified type of sealed long-life battery unit, and will have a maximum life of 10 years. Wireless alarms are often preferred being less invasive to the property and requiring less labour.
Cost start from £290 plus VAT for 3 wireless alarms (typical requirement)
Fire Blanket
A wall mounted, packed fire blanket must be provided.
Cost for item roughly £10 (installed costs vary between £10 and £30)