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How To Be A Successful Student Landlord

Student landlord

As a student landlord in the UK, success can be achieved by providing reliable, affordable, and secure accommodation to your tenants. Students need a welcoming and comfortable environment to thrive in their studies, and as a landlord, your role is to ensure that your tenants have everything they need to succeed. Below are some tips to help you become a successful student landlord in the UK.

Location, location, location

One of the most critical factors for students when choosing accommodation is location. Most students prefer to be close to their university, so finding a property within a reasonable distance is key. Research the local area and find out which universities and colleges are nearby.

Safety and Security

Safety is a top priority for all students, and as a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that your property is secure. Most students will have moved away from home for the first time and it can be a daunting experience. Make sure that all windows and doors have sturdy, working locks and that there is adequate lighting outside the property. You may also want to consider installing an alarm system for added security.

Furnishings and amenities

Providing comfortable and functional furnishings can make all the difference to your tenants. Students need a good quality bed and matress, a desk, and a comfortable chair to study in. You should also consider providing a washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher if space allows. High-speed internet and a reliable heating system are also essential amenities for students.

Maintain good communication

Maintaining good communication with your tenants is crucial to building a positive relationship. Respond promptly to any queries or issues that arise and be clear and upfront about any changes to the tenancy agreement or rental payments.

Keep your property well-maintained

Regular maintenance of your property is essential to keep it in good condition and prevent any major issues from arising. Schedule regular inspections and repairs as needed to keep your property in tip-top condition. This will help to keep your tenants happy and your property well-maintained.

Understand the legal requirements

As a landlord, you have legal obligations that you must adhere to. These include providing a safe and healthy living environment, protecting your tenant’s deposit, and ensuring that the property meets minimum energy efficiency standards. It is your responsibility to ensure you understand your legal obligations and always comply with them.

By following these tips you can become a successful landlord here in the UK. Providing comfortable, affordable, and secure accommodation for your tenants is a top priority, and by doing so, you can build a positive reputation to attract future tenants. Remember to keep communication open and maintain your property to a high standard within its legal requirements, and you’ll be well on your way to success!

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How to Make Your Rented Space Feel Like Home

Over the last few years the majority of us spent more time at home, giving many time to rethink their home decor and getting their DIY on. But for those who live in a rented space it can be difficult to put your stamp on it and create somewhere that really feels like your home. 

Below are some tips on how to make a rented space feel like yours without breaking the bank or the terms within your contract.

Fill the space with plants

Purchasing plants and flowers to fill your space is a great way to make it feel more homely. Not only do plants look great, but they also help to clean the air and remove toxins. There are some beautiful plant shops within Bristol, check out Fancy Plants, Sprouts of Bristol, Mila, and Bush Bristol.

Having the colour green in your home is also proven to promote feelings of peace, relaxation, growth and can help with stress relief. Discover more about introducing shades of green into your home here.

No good at keeping plants alive? Check out this list of hard to kill plants.

Buy soft furnishings

Another quick way to create a homely vibe within your space is through comfy cushions and cosy throws! There are so many colours, fabrics and textures to choose from, so even if you are playing with neutral tones or bright pops of colour that may already be within the rental space, the possibilities are endless.

You can pick up great cushions and throws from most supermarket home aisles, or shops such as Dulemn, Homesense and Ikea.

Artwork

Picking up a few prints is a great way to transform a space, add colour and personality to a room. If you’re worried about putting holes into the wall try using Command Strips or place pictures and frames on side tables, dressers, shelving units or even on the floor if you have a larger piece.

Lighting

Having too much light in a room can make it feel oversaturated, but too little light and the space can feel gloomy. Even the best-styled room can look flat if the lighting is inadequate. Try a mix of floor lamps, table lamps and even candles to transform a space or adding different types of bulbs to existing light fixtures.

Mirrors are also perfect for reflecting natural light around a room, this is great for smaller spaces and can make them feel brighter and airy.

Accessorise!

Accessorising is a quick way to transform any room, space or corner. This could be through soft furnishings, candles, photos, vases, decorative accessories or rugs. There are some great independent shops in Bristol where you can buy beautiful home accessories such as Mon Pote and Fig1.

Or check out a local charity shop or vintage store to pick up some quirky, budget friendly home accessories.

Photo: Mon Pote

Get creative with storage

Rental properties can often lack storage, especially if it’s a studio or small flat/apartment. This can lead to clutter and make a space feel smaller, but you can quickly improve this by purchasing storage furniture, using nice looking storage boxes as side tables, hooks for the back of doors, or getting decent underbed storage or wardrobe organisers.

Get painting

Another great way to transform a room is by painting it a different colour, it can do wonders! If you’re dealing with a small space, try using lighter shades, if it’s a large room, have fun and choose a bright colour or darker shades for optimal cosy vibes.

However, if your landlord isn’t keen on the idea of you painting the walls, switch things up and paint a few items of your furniture in accent colours to help make a room pop!

So, there you have it, our top tips on making any rental space feel more like yours. The space you live in should feel like home as much as possible, no matter if it is your own property or not and this can be achieved by implementing a few of the above tips.

If you are currently looking for your next rental, whether this is mid-term or long-term, get in touch or check out our current properties over on our website.

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Top Interior Trends of 2022/23

Hopewell Interior Trends 2022 and 2023.

Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner, or tenant, interior design has a big part to play in making your space feel like your own. From attracting potential tenants, impressing your new neighbours at your housewarming party or looking for ways to make your rental feel more like home. We have a breakdown of the current interior trends, as well as a forecast of what we suspect will be on-trend in 2023 to help you plan ahead. 

More is more

In recent years the ‘less is more’ minimalist style has been overwhelming the interior design industry. But the people have said: “enough is enough”.

After living in lockdown, this year has seen an explosion in the maximalist approach. Where people are reclaiming their space, now there are no limits to what you include in your design.

Since spending more time at home, people began understanding the need to have more things in one space, creating multifunction spaces, and beginning to incorporate these into their layout. This maximalist approach allows people to have their comforts and practical items in one place whilst styling around them. 

We have seen an increase in shelves and storage units being introduced into shared spaces, the introduction of broader and bolder colour pallets, and mixing and matching patterns and materials. In short – forget the rules and do what your heart desires. 

Consider your space 

As mentioned, the introduction of multi-functional spaces recently overtook the interior design priorities, becoming an essential part of people’s lives during the pandemic. Working from home caused us to adapt and use the room around us and use space more flexibly. Due to this, people began introducing collapsible desks, room dividers and extra storage spaces to help adapt to working in their usual living spaces. 

Now we are returning to the office, and working from home is something we have an option to do, it’s the perfect time to plan a multi-functional space you feel comfortable in. Take time to design a space which works with the rest of your decor and that you are happy to step into when hard work comes knocking. 

Be aware of your current space and consider how storage can be introduced. Look into shelves that work with your current flow or ottomans and storage boxes that can have dual purposes. You may also consider introducing soft furnishings such as rugs to help separate areas and give them their own personalities.

Self-spaces 

Self-spaces have become important to people across the globe. As people began to dedicate space in their homes to accommodate them working from home, they also decided to dedicate a room to take care of themselves and introduced ‘self-spaces’. These areas are designed to help you escape from the noise and give you a chance to spend time on some self-care. 

These spaces are entirely up to you to design, as it should be a space where you feel most comfortable. So whether that looks like pink and whites, soft furnishings and fairy lights, or dark greens, filled with plants and wall art, make it your own vibe and create a space where you can unwind and relax. 

Sustainable 

It’s 2022, and we’re taking a step in the right direction by moving more and more towards sustainable living. This has been reflected in our homes as the biophilic design takes over the world of interior design and social media. People are using plants to create a natural space where you really feel at one with nature. Introducing raw materials like softwoods and an earthy colour palette helps bring the look together. 

Another sustainable trend we’ve been seeing a lot of is upcycling and reusing old objects and furniture rather than contributing to the old-minded throw-away culture. Whether you own something that could use a new lease of life, or you need a new item and vote for a trip to the charity or second-hand shop rather than ordering it online. It all counts towards the sustainability of the planet. 

Loud and Proud 

As we move into 2023, we expect to see more bold and statement pieces in home design. As seen this year, there has been a lot of use of bold retro ’70s colours thrown into the mix. Interiors are becoming bolder and more adventurous with vibrant primary and pastel colours in colour-block designs, paired with clashing patterns. Although this has been growing in popularity in bedrooms, we see it making a huge move even into shared spaces. Colourful kitchens, painted doors and floors will be at the top of the list in 2023. Add bold details like mood lights and statement mirrors to complete your design and put your mark on the space.

Stay up-todate!
For more on interior trends and design inspo, follow us on our socials @hopewellbristol 

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Property Jargon Busters: Top 12 terms you should know!

Property

Are you looking to rent or become a landlord and are having difficulty understanding the property expert jargon? If you’re finding yourselves overwhelmed or confused by the terminology, and are struggling to move forward with your move or purchase, then take a look at our jargon breakdown for some helpful information on some keywords. 

HMO 

This initialism stands for ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ and is sometimes  referred to as a ‘House Share’. This is when three or more people, who are not from the same household, live in one property and share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas. 

HMOs are popular amongst University students and can also be regularly occupied by young professionals looking for somewhere cost-effective to live after leaving home or University.

PCM and PW

PCM stands for ‘Per Calendar Month’. This can be in reference to rent, which will be paid to the landlord or Letting agent monthly. This is the most standard practice when it comes to rent payments, bills and other contractual obligations. Similar to this, you may also have come across PW which means ‘Per Week’. 

STC 

While house hunting you may have come across STC, but what does this mean? Once the property owner has accepted an offer , the property will be moved to the sold ‘subject to contact’ status, meaning that the property owner is awaiting legally binding contracts to be signed and returned by the potential buyer. At this stage, the property will be close to being removed from the market. However, if for any reason the contracts cannot be completed, the sale will fall through and the property may go back to the market, allowing other potential buyers to view the property and make an offer. 

Assured shorthold tenancy

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (or AST) is an agreement between a tenant and landlord in which the tenant is given security of tenure for an agreed length of time, usually 6-12 months. Since being introduced by the Housing Act in 1988, it is now a default and applies to most tenancy agreements in England and Wales used by Private Landlords and Letting Agents. 

A key feature of an AST agreement is that using sections 21 of the Housing Act 1988, Landlords can evict tenants without reason; However this may be changing soon due to government changes to the private rented sector. 

Short Lets 

You may have seen on our own website or through our social media, that we often use the term Short Lets. This is an abbreviation for ‘Short Term Lettings’ and can refer to any property we have available to rent for as little as one day, to one month. If you think of Airbnb, where you might go to search for weekend breaks or city escapes, these will most likely be Short Term Lets. 

Long Lets

Long Lets is an abbreviation for ‘Long Term Lettings’ and quite literally is for people who are looking to rent for a longer term. Our Long Term Lettings will be properties that we are offered on either 6 or 12-month AST contracts. If you are looking for somewhere to live permanently, then these are the properties you will want to search for. 

Mid Term 

Although other letting agents offer Medium Term Lettings which can be contracts of three to eight months, our ‘Mid Term’ Lets are a bit different here at Hopewell. With our Medium or ‘Mid Term’ Lettings, we offer fully furnished properties that are available to rent on a month-by-month basis, with all bills included in the price. 

These properties offer more flexible terms and are perfect for people who need temporary accommodation either between homes, for ongoing home renovations, or are visiting the area for a longer period and would prefer not to live out of a hotel. 

To Let 

When a new property comes onto the rental market, it will be listed with the ‘To Let’ status. This means the property is available for viewings and to accept offers. 

Let Agreed 

Once a property has an offer accepted, the agent will change the property listing to a ‘Let Agreed’ status. Similar to STC, the property is close to being removed from the market, but it hasn’t received all the necessary documents to finalise the tenancy. If the documents and contracts needed to finalise the tenancy aren’t received by the agent, then the property could be reverted back to the ‘To Let’ status, opening it up to new viewings and offers. 

If you see a property you like and it is under ‘Let Agreed’, it might still be worth saving the property. If the tenancy is finalised, the property will then become unavailable, as it will have been removed from the market. 

Property Manager 

Property Managers deal with the day to day of properties within our short or long term portfolios. Our team of expert property managers are here to help our tenants and landlords with whatever issues or questions the property may incur. When you stay in a ‘Managed Property’, all correspondence regarding the property will go through our Property Managers and they will be your first port of call. From listing the property, arranging viewings, and managing cleaning and repairs, our Property Managers are here to ensure both landlords and tenants have the best experience possible. 

Landlord 

A landlord is a person who owns the property and allows others to use it in exchange for payment. If you are looking to rent and are going through an agency, then the likelihood of you meeting your landlord during the renting process is slim. However, if your property is not managed by the agency you have rented through, then your landlord will be your first port of call when something needs addressing in or with your property. 

If your property is managed by your letting agent, then all communication between the landlord and tenant will go through the agency, meaning you will contact your Property Manager for any faults, fixes, or queries you may have. 

Tenant

A tenant is a person who rents and occupies a property that is owned by a landlord. 

Is there still some property jargon we haven’t quite cleared up for you? Feel free to tweet us @hopewellbristol and we’ll be happy to help! 



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13 Questions You Should Ask When Screening Tenants

19% of all households in the UK rent private property. That’s a little over 4.4 million renters. The size of the private renting sector can make it challenging for landlords to sift through applicants. How can you make sure that the people you are letting your property to can be trusted to maintain it and pay rent on time?

A key step in the process of property letting is to have an in-person interview with applicants. You will gain much insight from potential tenants and weed out those that might prove troublesome. To help you with this process, here are 13 questions that you should ask applicants during the screening session.

1. Why Choose to Rent?

The best place to start is to ask why the applicant is renting. It’s a simple question to answer that cuts straight to the heart of the matter, and will allow them to feel more at ease by opening up about themselves.

Usually, their response will be that they’re either finally moving out from their parents’ home to live independently, they need a place that’s closer to work, or they’re currently saving up in the hope of eventually buying their own home.

2. When Do You Plan to Move?

A more practical question, this immediately lets you know if you and the applicant’s schedules align. Having a lengthy void period can be detrimental to your finances, so if the applicant doesn’t actually plan on moving into the property within a reasonable date, you can end the screening now and save each other time. 

3. Have You Ever Rented Before?

Experience in renting can be a big difference maker for how well an applicant will treat your property, while also giving you an idea as to how long they might rent your property.

A first-time renter is unlikely to know what their responsibilities are as a tenant. In that case, you will have to take the time to inform them to ensure your property is well taken care of. 

For those who do have previous experience, you can probe a little deeper into their history of renting to scope out how they might be as a tenant. 

4. If You Have Rented or Are Currently Renting, How’s Your Relationship With Your Latest Landlord?

This follow-up question for experienced renters can hint strongly at how your relationship with them could play out. 

Whatever positives and negatives they bring up should key you in on what they find important as a tenant. If they air out grievances about valid issues like their previous landlord neglecting repairs or being hard to reach, take the opportunity to reassure them that you have processes in place to address such issues.

5. Have You Ever Been Evicted?

While there may be reasonable answers to this question, any other answer than “no” should give you pause. At the very least, asking this during the interview process will give applicants the time and space to explain themselves. Extenuating circumstances must be considered in order to treat applicants fairly. 

6. Do You Have References?

A formal application process will check for references, but it doesn’t hurt to ask the question up front during the interview. This is another way to find out early on if the applicant is prepared for tenancy or not. An applicant that either can’t or won’t provide a reference is likely not a good candidate for letting your property.

7. How Long Do You Plan On Renting?

Conventional wisdom would have it that you only get tenants that can rent for, at the very least, six months. Having to repeat the arduous process of getting a new tenant any sooner than that is not worth the time and effort. However, you may be in the rare situation where you plan on renovating the property you’re letting sometime soon, but you still want to have a tenant in the meantime. In that case, allowing for even shorter contracts may be an option.

8. Are You Looking for Improvements to the Property?

You want to make sure that the tenant is okay with renting the property as it is. Closing the deal without either party acknowledging this particular issue may result in an unhappy, demanding tenant. You do not want your relationship to start off on the wrong foot, with the tenant complaining immediately about the furniture or the heating. 

9. Will You Have Other People Living With You?

The person you’re screening or the people coming in to view your property may not be the only ones who will actually be living in the property. The place may not have enough space for the number of people that the applicant plans on moving in with. More tenants may also increase the wear and tear on the property.

Most importantly, there are legal requirements that need to be met for multiple people renting the same property. All tenants need to be named in the tenancy agreement. If it’s a joint tenancy, any one or all of the tenants can be held liable for paying the whole rent. Insurance terms may also put a hard limit on how many people can live in a property. Ask for the ages of the other occupants and how they might be related to the applicant.

10. Do You Have Pets?

51% of adults in the UK own a pet. With that figure in mind, there’s a fair chance that some of your applicants will have a pet. You do have the right to refuse applicants with pets for a good reason. If you are only letting a small flat, it’s reasonable to decline applicants that have a big dog. This is why it’s also important to ask what kind of pet an applicant may have, if you’re open to having pets in your property.

11. Do You Smoke?

Smoking can cause property damage and may even pose as a safety hazard depending on your property. It’s understandable to have a strict no-smoking policy because of these concerns. Around 5.5 million adults in the UK are smokers, so it’s a fair question to ask and address as soon as possible. There is no law that outright bans smoking in rented properties, but you can include a clause in the tenancy agreement that establishes terms on smoking in your property.

12. What Do You Do for Work?

The more obvious reason for asking about the applicant’s job is to gain some insight on how reliable they will be at paying rent. A tenant with a full-time, high-paying job ideally shouldn’t have trouble settling bills, but there may be some cause for concern if the tenant is a freelancer.

The less apparent reason is to help you figure out the potential behaviour of the applicant. If they are normally working the graveyard shift, it could be difficult to contact them. Someone who works from home may put your property through its paces much faster than someone who has to go to the office throughout the work week.

13. Do You Have Any Questions?

It’s good to remember that this process isn’t supposed to be an interrogation. It’s a conversation where both parties would like to come to an agreement and benefit from one another. By opening yourself up to their questions, you’re showing them that it won’t be a lopsided relationship and that you can be trusted to be transparent.

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Top 5 Things To Know About Bristol

View over Bristol Harbourside during balloon fest

Are you new to living in Bristol? Or are you looking to relocate to the city? There are many wonderful things to know about Bristol – which we’re sure even the born and bred Bristolians won’t know! All of which are great reasons to want to make the big move. See why people love living in this part of the South-West and why they end up staying for life. 

Location

Firstly, it’s undeniable that Bristol is in a great location. Close to Cardiff, Bath, Swindon and just 120 miles from London. Positioned on the M4 corridor, Bristol has terrific travel links by both car and train. Whether you’re a professional or a student, there are many benefits to being located in Bristol, and easy travel access can bring beneficial opportunities.

Being the largest city in the South West and home to two Universities – The University of Bristol and UWE – this often makes Bristol a hub for many events and activities, from festivals and parades, to corporate events. There is always something going on for everyone. 

Work 

Named one of the happiest places to work in the UK, Bristol is said to be a big city with a small-town community. The working culture in Bristol has been influenced by the modern hybrid working styles popular in London, which have grown nationwide in recent years. With multiple coworking spaces and many companies now offering hybrid opportunities, it offers more comfort and flexibility for employees, which can improve their overall wellbeing

Bristol is also a huge hub of creative industries, with them being one of the key building blocks of Bristol’s modern economy. This could play a big part in Bristol being such a happy place to work, as people in creative positions claim to be the happiest at work! 

Sustainable 

If you’re an eco-warrior and love all things green, then Bristol might just be the perfect fit for you! In recent years, Bristol has been crowned the greenest city in the UK, scoring the highest for recycling and air quality and awarded the Green Capital Award in 2015. Bristol has long been a centre of alternative living and was ranked as the vegan capital of the world, according to Chef’s Pencil

Bristol is a Fairtrade city, trading fairly with nearly five million workers in 58 developing countries. It was also the UK’s first cycling city, being the first to receive government funding, pledging to double the number of people biking on its streets over three years. 

Culture

Bristol is a bustling multicultural city, which embraces multiple different cultures, religions and values. In 2019, Bristol has named the best place to live for under 26’s outside of London, after being recognised for being ranked highly for many factors from mental health and wellbeing to music events, sports facilities, and even 4G strength. It has also been named the kindest city in the UK, and the most artistic city in the UK. 

History 

Bristol is an interesting place and always has something wonderful going on, which is well reflected in the city’s history! For example, did you know that from 2012 – to 2021, the city had its own currency? And until 1840 Bristol had its time zone which ran 10 minutes behind London. 

As well as these, the city holds many other wonderful historic facts. The dark fruity drink Ribena was invented in Bristol in 1933 by a University of Bristol scientist, which grew in popularity during the war as an alternative source of vitamin C. Bristol Zoo, which is due to move from its famous location, is the fifth oldest zoo in the world! And the first-ever bungee jump took place on the 1st of April in 1979, from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 

Looking to make the move to the big city? Visit our website to see how we can help you find your perfect property. Or contact our team at hello@hopewell.co.uk for more info! 

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5 Five Fire Safety Regulations Every Residential Landlord Should Know

A fire in the home is a devastating event that can happen surprisingly easily. House fires claim the lives of over 200 people in the UK every year, with the majority of these fatalities taking place between 10pm and 6am, when people are asleep. During sleep, your sense of smell decreases to being almost non-existent, which is why people don’t realise they are in danger. 

According to Home Office statistics, there were 35,016 fires in homes in the UK during 2019/20. There are around 37,000 domestic fires every year, the majority of which – over 12,000 are caused by misuse of cooking appliances, for example cookers and toasters. Around 67% of accidental fires were caused by human error, such as out of control bonfires, careless cooking, negligent use of appliances and playing with fire, such as matches or lighters. A further 25% were caused by non-human factors like chimney fires, faulty electrical appliances, or faulty fuel supplies. In 2019/20 the daily rate of house fires was highest in April and lowest in August. 

If you are a residential landlord it’s vital that you are up to date on fire safety regulations to ensure that your tenants are safe and you are complying with the law. For example, do you know the rules around smoke alarms in rented properties? In September 2018, 38% of battery operated smoke alarms did not sound during a fire. The biggest cause? Disconnected, missing or flat batteries. It’s crucial to know what is your responsibility and what is the responsibility of your tenant. Read on to find out the fire safety regulations that every residential landlord needs to know.

What are a landlord’s fire safety responsibilities?

There are laws in place that are designed to ensure that you as a landlord are doing everything you can to prevent fires and protect your tenants. The specific responsibilities of a landlord include:

  • Installing a smoke alarm in each storey of a property, as well as a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example, a wood burning stove)
  • Ensuring there is access to escape routes at all times, and checking your tenants are doing the same
  • Ensuring that all furniture and furnishings are fire safe
  • Providing fire alarms and fire extinguishers in houses of multiple occupation (HMO)
  • Ensuring there are no fire hazards near areas where fires may start (for example combustible materials should not be stored near boilers or other heat sources)
  • Make sure all appliances have an annual Portable Appliance Test (PAT)
  • Check all appliances have a British or European safety mark
  • Check for labels on appliances and furnitures that manufacturers are legally required to supply stating they are fire safe

What are the fire safety laws for rented properties?

The fire safety laws for rented properties are laid out in various Acts that every landlord needs to be familiar with. These are the key laws you must follow:

1. The Housing Act 2004, including Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

This Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS lay out the main requirements of fire safety in a rented home. The rules include ensuring that tenants are able to escape the property in the event of a fire, and making sure that repairs to the fabric of the property, such as walls and ceilings, are done in a timely manner so that fire is unable to easily spread to other rooms.

2. Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988/1989, 1993 and 2000

If you have a furnished property or intend to furnish one before renting it out, you need to ensure that the furnishings are safe and follow these specific regulations. They apply to all items that are upholstered or contain upholstery, including sofa, armchairs, mattresses, sofa beds, curtains and cushions. Read the Act in full for specific information on how to ensure your furniture and furnishings are fire-safe.

3. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)

This act covers fire safety in buildings that have communal areas, such as blocks of flats and HMOs. Hallways, stairwells or shared spaces such as kitchens and living rooms provide specific fire risks.

4. The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015

These regulations set out the requirements for landlords to ensure that warning systems are in place to warn tenants in the event of a fire. They outline what is expected in terms of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, and set out the hefty fines you could receive if you are in breach of the rules. The rules vary between different countries in the UK, so be sure to check with your local authority if you are unsure.

5. Building Regulations

Building regulations impact on fire safety. This is especially important if you are refurbishing a property before letting it out, as it must follow the latest rules and regulations. The work must meet the standards for letting a property, which are different to those of a property you live in yourself. Houses of Multiple Occupancy have different rules from regular tenanted properties, even if they are unlicensed. You should check with your local authority to find out the exact rules, as they can vary from one area to another.

Once you know the rules, they need to be enforced. The best way to do this is to carry out regular inspections, either yourself as a landlord or via a trusted letting agent, to make sure that your tenants are sticking to the rules and haven’t moved furniture around and blocked safety exits.  

You should also make sure you have a comprehensive inventory that notes all of the furniture you put in the building. During inspections you can check that your tenant hasn’t removed fire safety labels or replaced items for non-fire safe ones without you knowing. As well as ensuring that you are legally covered when it comes to the rules and regulations, this will also allow you to make sure that your tenants are safe and happy in their home.