Essential Tips for Landlords: Navigating Property Compliance in Aberdeen
Being a landlord in Aberdeen City and Shire is an exciting venture, but it does come with a fair share of responsibilities. Keeping up with all the necessary tests, certifications, and maintenance can sometimes feel like you’re juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Rest assured, here’s a friendly walkthrough of what you need to keep in mind to ensure your property remains compliant with Scottish legislation. And remember, JOR Property Ltd is here to help with all your property maintenance needs, from certification to refurbishment.
The Alphabet Soup of Certifications
Let’s start with the essentials. As a landlord, you need to ensure your property is safe and legally compliant. Here are the key certifications you should be aware of:
- Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate (LGSC): Think of this like a car MOT. It’s crucial to check gas appliances annually. A nifty tip many landlords miss is that the LGSC can be renewed up to two months before its due date while retaining the original expiration date, giving you ample time to handle any issues.
- Boiler Service: Regularly servicing your boiler ensures it operates efficiently and safely. You can receive a large discount by booking your LGSC and boiler service at the same time, making it a win-win for safety and savings.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): This report checks the safety of the electrical installations in your property and should be renewed every five years. Faulty wiring can be a shocker (literally), so staying on top of this is crucial.
- Portable Appliance Testing (PAT): If you provide appliances for your tenants, regular PAT testing ensures they’re safe to use. Think of it as an annual MOT for your toasters and kettles.
- Legionella Risk Assessment: Nobody wants an uninvited guest in the form of Legionella bacteria. Regular risk assessments help ensure your water systems are safe.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): This rates the energy efficiency of your property and is valid for ten years. Given the chilly Scottish winters, tenants appreciate knowing their home is as energy-efficient as possible.
- Smoke and CO Alarm Testing: Scottish law requires interconnected smoke alarms and CO detectors. Regular checks and maintenance are essential to avoid any false alarms or, worse, a real emergency. Details on the regulations can be found at Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law – gov.scot (www.gov.scot).
- Lead in Water Testing: New regulations under the Repairing Standard now require landlords to ensure water pipes are free of lead from 1 March 2024. This involves checking pipes and, if necessary, testing water quality to ensure safety. After all, no one wants to be drinking water that could double as a pencil sharpener. For more details, you can visit the Scottish Government’s Repairing Standard guidance.
Why JOR Property Ltd?
Now, we don’t want to toot our own horn too much, but here at JOR Property Ltd, we live and breathe property maintenance. As landlords ourselves, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer all the essential certifications. Here’s how we can make your life a whole lot easier:
- Comprehensive Certification Services: We handle LGSCs, EICRs, PAT testing, Legionella risk assessments, EPCs, fire safety checks, smoke and CO alarm installation and testing, as well as lead in water testing. One phone call to us, and you can tick all those boxes.
- Maintenance and Refurbishments: Whether it’s fixing a leaky tap or a full property refurbishment, our experienced team, comprising all trades under one roof, is on hand to keep your property in top shape.
- Hire a Reputable Letting Agent: If managing all this sounds overwhelming, a reputable letting agent can handle the compliance and maintenance for you. They keep up-to-date with legislation changes, so you don’t have to.
For more detailed information on landlord responsibilities in Scotland, you can visit the “Scottish Association of Landlords” Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) – for landlords and letting agents in Scotland (scottishlandlords.com), packed with valuable information to help you navigate your duties as a landlord.
A Parting Thought
Being a landlord can sometimes feel like you’re performing a circus act. But with the right support and organisation, it doesn’t have to be that way. Let JOR Property Ltd take some of that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on the enjoyable parts of being a landlord (yes, they do exist!).
If you have any questions or need assistance with your property, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help.
Stay safe, stay compliant, and happy letting!
Best wishes,
The JOR Property Ltd Team
